Main Dishes for Preventing and Treating Colds and Flu (Cont'd)

Here's a collection of recipes for main dishes that can help prevent the common cold and flu, and help you recover from a bout of flu faster. Note that this is the second recipe page focused on cold-preventing main dishes. You can view the first page by clicking here.

Jewish Chicken Soup

Jews have long been touting the benefits of chicken soup on upper respiratory tract conditions, such as the common cold, which is why chicken soup is often referred as 'Jewish Penicillin.'
See the Recipe

Chicken and Apple Salad

This anti-flu salad recipe pairs chicken with luscious apples and grapes to create a taste sensation that is sure to please everyone. But the benefits of this salad are not purely culinary; this salad is also great immune system booster. Chicken is delivers zinc, a mineral that has an important role in the body's antioxidant system, while apples are crammed with vitamin C and flavonoids.
See the Recipe

Super-Nutritious Broccoli Salad with Apples and Cranberries

This recipe has all the elements of a winning recipe to ward off colds and flu. It features broccoli, red onions, and apples—all of which help build a strong immune system. In addition, this salad calls for yoghurt containing probiotic bacteria which, according to new studies, may be effective at preventing respiratory infections such as the common cold.
See the Recipe

Lentil Chili Soup

Anecdotal evidence suggests that spicy foods, like this soup, can beat colds. The beneficial effects are thought to result from the ability of spicy foods to clear congestion by stimulating the mucus membranes. The allicin provided by the crushed garlic in this soup provides addition protection against colds and flu.
See the Recipe

Shrimp and Eggs on Romaine Lettuce

Shrimp and eggs are loaded with vitamin D which has been shown to have protective effects against colds and other respiratory tract infections. The romaine lettuce featured in this salad is packed with vitamin C which gives a real boost to the immune system.
See the Recipe

Broccoli and Barley Soup

Broccoli is loaded with antioxidants which boost the immune system. Thyme and marjoram, which are used to add flavor to this soup, may also have flu fighting properties as they contain ursolic acid, a strong antioxidant compound.
See the Recipe

Ginger and Cucumber Salad

Ginger, a key ingredient in this salad, has been used both as a culinary plant and as a medicine for thousands of years. It is particularly famous for well known for its cold and flu treating powers. It stimulates circulation and helps keep the sinuses and lungs clear of mucus.
See the Recipe

Romaine and Smoked Salmon Salad

Salmon is rich an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, and romaine lettuce is packed with vitamin C. Also the radishes featured in this salad help prevent and cure colds and flu as they can clear congested sinuses, heal sore throat, and prevent viral infections.
See the Recipe

Scandinavian Spinach Soup with Boiled Eggs

Learn from Popeye and eat your spinach! Spinach is supercharged with nutrients that boost the immune system and help fight colds and flu. Also the eggs featured in this delicious soup are thought to protect against colds and flu due to their high concentration of vitamin D.
See the Recipe

Nourishing Nettle Soup

Nettle—the star of this hearty soup—is packed with antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, selenium, and flavonoids. The various antioxidants found in nettle are known to have a synergistic effect and to protect each other from oxidation, thereby enhancing the overall antioxidant prowess and of this delicious immune system boosting dish. Also yoghurt—which is used to garnish this intriguing jade green soup—is helpful as it contains probiotic bacteria which have been shown to reduce the duration and the severity of common cold symptoms.
See the Recipe

Grandma's Chicken Soup

A laboratory test has now confirmed what grandmas have known for years: chicken soup can ease the misery of colds and flu. The researchers found that chicken soup helps inhibit the migration of neutrophils—white blood cells that swallow up bacteria and viruses like those that are responsible for colds and flu. All of the vegetables present in the tested soup and the chicken individually exerted this effect.
See the Recipe

For more recipes that help fight the common cold and flu, go to the main recipe directory of HealWithFood.org's Guide to Fighting the Common Cold and Flu.

You may also be interested in checking out the diet section of this guide which provides a round-up of the best diet tips for preventing the common cold and flu. Be also sure to check out the list of the 10 best foods for fighting a cold or flu.