Feel-Good Foods: 10 Cold & Flu Fighters

Honey

Why it’s a cold/flu fighter: Grandmothers may not be surprised by this, but a study, published in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, found that buckwheat honey may reduce cough by coating and soothing an irritated throat. Researchers compared the effects of giving children this dark-colored honey (1/2 teaspoon, ages 2 to 5; 1 teaspoon, ages 6 to 11; 2 teaspoons, ages 12 to 18), honey-flavored dextromethorphan (cough medicine), or nothing at bedtime. Honey worked the best at reducing cough and helping their child sleep. How did the cough medicine fair? It didn’t work any better than using no treatment. (Note: Don’t give honey to children younger than age 1—it could lead to infant botulism, a rare but potentially fatal illness.)

• Honey Ginger Carrots • Honey and Orange Glazed Ham • Baked Chicken Fingers with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce • Honey Chicken Kabobs