Did you ever wonder why you're always getting a cold or the flu but your friend never gets one? Well the answer may be in the foods you're eating. It's no secret that the foods that you put into your body have a direct impact on your overall health and your immune system. If you're not feeding your immune system the proper nutrients, then you're not giving it the ammunition it needs to fight off colds and flu. Here are some great foods you should eat, not only during cold and flu season but all the time for overall health as well as some things you can do if you feel cold coming on.

Drinking plenty of water is something that you should get in the habit of doing all the time but especially during cold and flu season because if your bodies dehydrated that makes it easier for germs to take hold. Try to make sure that you drink a good healthy water like distilled water as tap water can be filled with chlorine and fluoride - neither of which are good for you to ingest. Bottled water is a good choice, however, it may not be as "clean" as you are led to believe.

If your gastrointestinal tract isn't functioning properly then intestinal bugs and flu will have an easier time of taking up residence. Try to fortify yourself by eating a cup of yogurt that has active cultures or by taking a probiotic to build up the good bacteria in your digestive system.

Garlic is great eat all the time in as many health benefits but I find it is an excellent way to ward off a cold when you first get that initial feeling of a scratchy throat. Garlic produces a chemical called allicin which has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties and you can get the most benefit out of it by eating it raw because once you cook it these properties diminish. What I like to do is crush up a clove of garlic and let it sit for 10 minutes ( letting it sit is important as this will give the allicin time to activate and you can eat it when it's at it's most powerful), then I make some toast out of my favorite whole wheat bread spread some butter and the crushed garlic and eat up! Usually if I do this right at the very beginning of the cold I'll wake up the next day feeling fine.

Oranges or another potent weapon that you can use to fight colds with due to the high content of vitamin C. Eating just one orange day can give you the entire recommended daily amount of this important vitamin. in addition to these vitamins, or ranges contain flavinoids which help keep your cells strong and healthy and also help out in the regeneration process. It's a good idea to buy a juicer, and then juiced up a few oranges during the day if you feel cold coming on. Of course, organic oranges are best.

Of course, the best way to ward off colds and flu is to keep your body healthy by eating a well-balanced diet that is packed with fresh fruits and vegetable as well as lean meats and whole grains. Not only will this help ward off colds but it can also help your body fight against more serious diseases and give you the energy you need to feel great all day every day.

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Lee Dobbins writes for Natural Health Buzz where you can learn more about good health through nutrition.