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Top 10 foods to help customers fight the flu
Food truck owners have an important reason to keep their customers healthy; a flu outbreak can cripple their business. Here are 10 foods that will help prevent the flu.
October 10, 2019 by Richard Traylor — Writer, WebstaurantStore
When you think of the fall season, you may think of changing leaves, Halloween parties and pumpkin spiced lattes. But autumn also marks the beginning of flu season. While getting yourself vaccinated can help, there are many types of foods that have vitamins and minerals that can help your body fight off the flu. We created a list of the best foods for fighting the flu to give you inspiration when creating new fall recipes that are delicious and can improve your health.
Flu season often begins in October or November. The season peaks around December and typically lasts until February or March, but it can go as late as May. So, if you're planning to incorporate these healthy, flu fighting foods into your menu, you should add them in September or October. In this way, your customers' and employees' immune systems have time to strengthen before the season begins.
Here are 10 menu items that will help prevent the flu.
1. Butternut squash
Butternut squash is known as a super food due to its excellent health benefits. This type of squash has anti-inflammatory benefits that are essential for fighting off sickness. Additionally, butternut squash has vitamin B6 for nervous and immune system health, dietary fiber for heart health and potassium to strengthen your bones. As an added bonus, butternut squash is available in October and November, so it's easy to serve as one of the foods to eat when you have the flu.
2. Carrots
Did you know that carrots play an excellent role in protecting not only our immune systems, but also our skin? Beta-carotene, found in carrots, helps in the production of healthy cells in our immune systems and will turn into vitamin A that encourages healthy skin. Our skin is the first line of defense against bacteria and viruses, and having a healthy barrier can prevent you from becoming sick in the future. Additionally, carrots are in season in the fall, so they will be easily available and fresh to add to your menu as a part of your flu fighting foods.
3. Berries
Berries such as blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and raspberries are an excellent and delicious source of vitamins and antioxidants that are essential for fighting the flu and other diseases. Additionally, vitamin C, which is found in many types of berries, can prevent stress from overwhelming our bodies by boosting our immune systems. All of these types of berries have amazing health benefits, but blackberries have the highest concentration of antioxidants for preventing the flu.
4. Beets
Beets act as a natural cleanser for the body, eliminating toxins and purifying your liver and bloodstream, which helps you recover from a cold or the flu faster. As an added benefit, beets can help fight inflammation in your kidneys, improve your digestion and keep your blood pressure regular. You can also use them in many different recipes and cooking methods, making it easy to find a way to use beets in your fall recipes.
5. Oranges
Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons and limes contain high amounts of vitamin C, which can dramatically shorten the time you're sick if eaten frequently. Oranges also have 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vitamin C, so you can get all of your vitamins easily. In addition to high levels of vitamin C, oranges help control your blood sugar, strengthen your immune system and prevent constipation, making them an excellent food option to prevent sickness.
6. Green tea
Green tea has a multitude of health benefits, and it's an excellent beverage for preventing the flu or helping the flu pass if you catch the virus. Green tea is full of catechins, a type of antioxidant that can help fight off viral infections. This beverage has many other health benefits as well, and drinking green tea regularly can help reduce the risk of cancer and diabetes and even help you lose weight.
Plus, if you're already sick, drinking green tea can soothe sore throats and give you a boost of energy. As an added bonus, you can use green tea or matcha powder to make fall-inspired beverages this autumn.
7. Ginger
If you find yourself trying to treat the common flu symptoms of nausea and body aches, ginger may be the relief you need. Ginger root is often used to reduce nausea in pregnant women, but its anti-inflammatory benefits can also help those who have a cold or the flu. It's also believed that ginger is a natural pain reliever, which can contribute to easing the aches and pains many experience. Luckily for patients fighting the flu, it doesn't take much to gain the benefits that ginger provides since it's so concentrated.
8. Garlic
Not only can you ward off vampires this Halloween, but garlic will also protect you from the common cold and is one of the best foods for flu. Garlic, along with many of the other ingredients found on this list, is packed full of antioxidants which can stimulate your immune system to work harder. In addition to its flu-fighting vitamins, garlic can also help reduce cholesterol levels and help improve heart health.
9. Tuna
Seafood is great for your health, and tuna specifically has many health benefits that makes it a great addition to your fall menu to fight the flu. For example, tuna has a large concentration of omega-3 fatty acids, which help with heart health, reducing joint pain and stiffness, and promoting brain development. Tuna also features antioxidants and vitamins, such as vitamin C, zinc and manganese that help fight off diseases and viral infections like the flu.
10. Broth
Drinking clear beverages like water, juice or hot tea are essential for staying hydrated when sick, but broth is another great option. It not only provides a soothing effect for sore throats, but it also contains little fiber content, so your body doesn't need to work to digest it. Look for broths high in sodium since salt helps draw fluids into the body, which will keep your system hydrated when fighting off the flu, cold or other viruses.
Whether you're looking to prevent yourself from catching the flu this season or you want to speed up your recovery, these 10 foods can help. An outbreak among your customers or employees can cripple your business, so you should be prepared. Plus, customers may appreciate healthy options and flu fighting foods on your menu.
About Richard Traylor
Richard Traylor graduated from Temple University in the winter of 2014 with a degree in Strategic Communications. After graduating, he taught English in South Korea for two years, during which he was fortunate enough to travel and see the world. In October 2016, he returned home and started to work in SEO Content at Webstaurant Store. This blog previously ran on Webstaurant Store.
