Foods that help fight colds this time of the year

Pumpkin seeds

Pumpkin seeds have lot of zinc which is important for our immune function

Pumpkin seeds can be sprinkled over salads,soups,vegetables.

I have seen roasted spiced pumpkin seeds in stores which have pretty good taste.

Mushrooms

Very good high iron low calorie food.

It's always my choice to add something warm when I am ready to serve my salads.

I sauté the mushrooms in little butter or olive oil and sprinkle over my salads.

I also steam or boil some shelled edamame with some oregano and salt and use it in salads or over vegetables.

Kefir

Kefir is made when milk is fermented by yeasts and lactic acid bacteria.

What is the difference between yogurt and kefir?

Kefir is supposed to have more variety and more number of beneficial bacteria than yogurt.

Both are great foods.

Plain kefir or yogurt is always better than sweetened kefir or yogurt.

Remember this has to do with so called probiotics or good bacteria.

Kiwi fruit

Kiwi has more than a days supply of Vitamin C.

It can reduce severity of upper respiratory infections.

I add kiwi fruit to my green smoothies after peeling the fuzzy skin on outside of the kiwi fruit.

Barley

Barley is a healthy grain.

It had a soluble fibre called beta glucagon which helps in giving anti inflammatory properties to Barley.

I use barley in vegetable soups,or cook it with rice or use cooked barley in salads.

Elderberries 

I have used elderberry cough syrups with very good results.

I tell my patients to use Aroniaberry chews,or use Aroniaberry concentrate in water and drink it when one has cold yo reduce duration.