How to Stay Healthy During Flu Season

The flu season is quickly approaching! As fall transitions to winter, the start of flu season becomes an annual occurrence. The flu is a significant threat to our wellness, considering its infectious nature and ability to cause harm to our immune systems.

When discussing making healthy choices during flu season, we could first talk about what Influenza is. The flu is a respiratory infection that can enter your body through your nose or mouth. The flu can be acquired through contaminated surfaces or breathing in airborne particles from someone who has the flu, such as through coughs or sneezes.

When you are battling the flu, you may have a loss of appetite or thirst. However, it is essential to hydrate and obtain the necessary nutrients to recover! Additionally, keeping your immune system strong to fight off the flu is so important. Certain methods, such as washing your produce and hand-washing, getting adequate sleep, maintaining stress, and eating balanced meals, all contribute to keeping your immune system healthy and strong.

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Hydration powders, along with coconut water, are an excellent alternative for those who don't like water. Coconut water also includes high levels of electrolytes to keep you hydrated during flu season, such as potassium, calcium, sodium, and magnesium. Harmless Harvest Organic Coconut Water is a great choice, as the only ingredient is organic coconut water!

Chicken soup is essential when battling the flu or a cold. Pacific Foods Organic Chicken Wild Rice Soup is a Trash Panda go-to! There are countless nutritional benefits such as vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes in the broth, protein in the chicken, antioxidants in the herbs, vitamins A and C in the vegetables, and antioxidants, various vitamins, and minerals in the wild rice.

Probiotic-heavy foods, such as yogurt, are a great option when strengthening your immune system. Probiotics are live microorganisms that help improve gut health. Gut health is essential when strengthening immune systems, as most immune cells reside in the gut. Siggi's Probiotic Drinkable Yogurt is a great option, containing clean ingredients and various probiotics to help keep your immune system healthy.

When fighting off the flu, ginger tea is a great product to help with a sore throat, as well as nausea. Ginger is a spice that contains medicinal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Choosing the proper tea can be difficult, but Yogi Ginger Tea bags are a great solution, as they are made with whole, organic ingredients and would be perfectly paired with a spoonful of honey!

Oatmeal is a great product for those with flu symptoms such as loss of appetite. Oats have a long list of health benefits, such as being an excellent source of fiber, vitamin B, iron, magnesium, zinc, and more. Purely Elizabeth Superfood Oatmeal, made with gluten-free oats, chia seeds, quinoa, and flax seeds, is a healthy alternative to artificially flavored oatmeal.

It's easy to get swept away by products that claim they are organic or have misleading labels. When you're sick with the flu, it's important to read food labels and avoid certain foods to contribute to a healthy immune system! When fighting the flu, it's essential to stay away from alcohol as it causes dehydration, fatty foods as they are hard to digest, and processed foods as they contain fewer nutrients.

Always remember to check ingredients when shopping and to use the Trash Panda app to find healthier alternatives!