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What to Eat to Avoid Getting a Cold

The beginning of the year is synonymous with stuffed up noses, stockpiled tissue boxes, and harsh raspy coughs. While there is no one solution to fighting off irksome colds-there is a way to better fight the germs by simply watching what you eat. While it is always important to maintain a healthy balanced diet, adding in some nutritional superstars to your daily meals can help you not only catch fewer colds but also cut them short if you do come down with one.

Related: Skincare Secrets: Combat the Cold With These Expert Tips

Blueberries
Berries contain healthy antioxidants that may help improve resistance to colds. Blueberries, red grapes, and other dark-skinned fruit have even more disease fighters.

Try this: Try incorporating frozen berries into your next breakfast. Add berries to your oatmeal, pancakes, or muffins. Or pack some blueberries and red grapes in a zip-block bag for a snack filled with antioxidants. Wash your berries and grapes then store them in the fridge so they're ready to eat.

Related: Surprising Facts About the Flu That Will Have You Reaching For Your Sanitizer

Tea (Green and Black)
Green tea is also an excellent source of antioxidants that can stop germs from growing. And according to studies, drinking black tea can fortify your immune system.

Try this: Avoid watering down your iced tea with iced cubes. Think ahead, soak your tea and freeze it in ice-cube trays. By adding these cubes to your iced tea will make it more potent-allowing you to take advantage of all the benefits tea offers.

Related: 15 Ways Not to Get Sick

Yogurt
Some yogurts contain probiotics, active cultures that can strengthen the immune system and stop perky germs from reproducing. Look to see if your favorite brands list this powerhouse on the label.

Try this: Don't like the taste of yogurt? Try a smoothie. Put ice cubes in your blender with nonfat yogurt. Try throwing in some blueberries to really boost the health benefits. Blend it all together and enjoy!

Related: Common Health Hazards You Didn't Know Existed In Your Own Home

How do you steer clear of cold and flu season?