When the weather gets cold outside, cold and flu season attacks our immune systems very quickly! It can be difficult to find a solution to these bugs that we just can’t shake. While your illness may not go away no matter how hard you try, the key is to make it at least bearable so that you can get a good sleep! Check out these amazing recipes that will make your cold and flu experience a little healthier.
The first step to battling cold and flu season is by building up your immune system so it can fight off any bugs that come your way.
Create this wellness concoction and add a few spoonfuls of it to hot water each morning. Packed with vitamin C and gingerol (anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant), your local flu doesn’t stand a chance!
https://www.myfussyeater.com/honey-lemon-ginger-jar-natural-cold-flu-remedy/ Photos and Recipe By: My Fussy Eater
That first chilly day of the season can sometimes prompt that cold season to start abruptly. Make this amazing turmeric ginger chicken barley soup to soothe sore throats and take preventative measures against colds and cases of flu.
Turmeric and ginger are closely related because of their history in medicine. Turmeric and ginger are the ingredients that can make your nausea calm down and help the pain in your throat go away. When it’s that time of year for illnesses, keep turmeric and ginger close by.
https://megiswell.com/turmeric-ginger-chicken-barley-soup/ Photos and Recipe By: Meg Is Well
A good chicken noodle soup doesn’t require an illness at all because it’s just so good! But when you need something easy on the stomach, this is the way to go!
Set all your ingredients in the pot at the beginning of the day, and watch your ideal chicken noodle soup cook without any supervision. It’s perfect for when you just don’t have the energy to get up off the couch to cook.
https://damndelicious.net/2016/10/27/slow-cooker-chicken-noodle-soup/ Photos and Recipe By: Damn Delicious
Chicken noodle soup may be good for those who eat meat, but what about a vegetarian option? If you’re suffering from a flu or cold, try out this vegetable soup.
Not only will it soothe your sore throat and your aching stomach, but it will provide your body with helpful nutrients it needs to heal.
https://cupcakesandkalechips.com/flu-buster-vegetable-soup/ Photos and Recipe By: Cupcakes and Kale Chips
For those gourmet food lovers out there, this soup is great to be served as a delicious meal before getting sick. Not only does it help build up your immune system, but it can also help detox your body of toxins that may contribute to you not feeling your best.
Feel free to get a little creative and add in some of your favorite vegetables for added nutritional value.
http://www.eatyourselfskinny.com/detox-immune-boosting-chicken-soup/#_a5y_p=6076141 Photos and Recipe By: Eat Yourself Skinny
This soup is super simple but extremely powerful. Instead of making the veggies the main focus of this soup, spices are actually the star of the show.
If you are having a hard time eating with an upset stomach or just don’t have an appetite, this soup is for you!
https://happyhealthymama.com/cold-busting-soup.html#_a5y_p=5908613 Photos and Recipe By: Happy Healthy Mama
While chicken noodle soup is a classic if you’re sick more than once it can start to get old. Mix it up with a fantastic bowl of Pho that is created with illnesses in mind.
Packed with herbs, lime, and broth, this pho will help you feel better without having to eat your fiftieth bowl of chicken noodle soup.
https://thekitchengirl.com/feel-better-pho/ Photos and Recipe By: The Kitchen Girl
In the winter, you may find yourself craving juicy, fresh fruit because summer is long gone and your body misses that fresh produce!
Make yourself a sunshiney, beautiful smoothie that will look beautiful and help you fight off the winter illnesses that get passed around way too easily.
https://www.theawesomegreen.com/master-immunity-boosting-smoothie/ Photos and Recipe By: The Awesome Green
What happens when you run out of cough drop when you’re sick? You have to change out of your pajamas, put on your winter boots and haul yourself to the pharmacy for more.
Instead of having to leave the house with the chills, stay inside and make your own cough drops! You can then control what goes in them (ahem, no additives) and continue to get rest while they are made.
https://www.tastyeverafter.com/honey-lemon-ginger-cough-drops/ Photos and Recipe By: Tasty Ever After
Have you ever drank so much water when you were sick that you just could not have one more glass, but your body still was demanding liquids?
A lot of us resort to sugary electrolyte drinks as an alternative, but it’s unfortunate how many garbage ingredients are in those drinks. Instead, make your own version at home and let every single ingredient contribute to you fighting off your cough or cold!
https://musthavemom.com/homemade-electrolyte-drink-recipe-easy-tricks-when-caring-for-sick-kids/ Photos and Recipe By: Must Have Mom
Chicken noodle soup is fantastic for someone who can eat gluten and carbohydrates, but what if you can’t? Before you assume you can’t have chicken noodle soup, check out this amazing alternative.
Instead of using pasta in the soup, use spiralized zucchini noodles! They are so nutritious and will also contribute to making your body strong and tough on viruses.
https://blog.paleohacks.com/chicken-noodle-soup-recipe/ Photos and Recipe By: Paleo Hacks
Let’s talk about some serious preventative measures for flu and colds. Ginger and garlic are two ingredients that will always help fight off illness while tasting amazing.
This soup is strong in flavor and doesn’t mess around when it comes to ingredients. This soup is as pure as they come and definitely helpful to eat before you’re sick and during your sickness.
https://www.thehealthymaven.com/2016/01/the-ultimate-immune-boosting-soup.html Photos and Recipe By: The Healthy Maven
The most annoying part of being sick is after you have taken your dose of medicine and it doesn’t seem to be helping at all. You can’t take more, so you have to find an alternative solution that can bring more relief.
Try making your own decongestant that can help break up congestion in your throat and chest. While it doesn’t sound appetizing, one serving is only two tablespoons!
http://titus2homemaker.com/2013/01/homemade-decongestant/ Photos and Recipe By: Titus 2 Homemaker
When you can’t shake that nasty, you probably can’t eat much either. Sip on a morning smoothie that will not only nourish your body but soothe your throat, and give you a much-needed boost of vitamin C.
This refreshing day starter is packed with vitamins. It’s Whole30 approved, vegan, gluten free and enjoyed by the young and old (so yes, you can get your kids to sip on it, too!).
https://www.seasonalcravings.com/cold-buster-citrus-smoothie/ Photo & Recipe by: Seasonal Cravings
Getting kids to stay hydrated while they are sick is such a challenge, especially when their little bellies are full of water.
Instead, try making hydration popsicles that look like dessert, taste like summer and hydrate like water. They will not only appreciate the numbing qualities of the cold temperature but will also love the flavor!
http://kitchencents.com/easy-homemade-hydration-popsicles-for-cold-flu-season/ Photos and Recipe By: Kitchen Cents
