The Best Foods To Fight a Summer Cold

It might seem like an oxymoron, but summer colds are actually fairly common. In fact, depending on the virus floating around they may actually make you feel worse than a winter one! Here, we break down the best foods to munch to help prevent and get over your seasonal bug.

Vegetarian Chili

A spicy veggie chili made with onions, garlic, kidney beans, and tomato paste not only warms up a cold-afflicted body, it may also have medicinal properties! Onions and garlic have antiviral effects, beans have good-for-the-immune-system B vitamins, and the spices can actually help clear sinuses! Related: 10 Ways to Add More Veggies to Your Diet

Recommended serving size: 1 cup canned vegetarian chili

Calories: 160

Clementines

Despite all the controversy surrounding vitamin C's effect on colds, recent research shows that while this powerhouse antioxidant can't prevent them, it can help cut down on the duration and severity of colds. Clementines are a great source of vitamin C -- two fulfill 100 percent of your RDA. What's more, clementines are easy to pack and eat (no sticky fingers, since their skins peel off effortlessly). Related: Healthy Eating Planner: 31 Days of Superfoods

Recommended serving size: 2 clementines

Calories: 138

Half a Roast Beef Sandwich

Another mineral that can help stop a cold: Zinc. It plays a big role in immune system functioning and has been shown to stop the growth of microorganisms in the body, including some bacteria and viruses (and a virus is what causes colds). Both roast beef and whole grain bread are great sources of zinc; put them together, and you've got a powerful cold-fighting snack. Related: Pantry Raid: 11 Healthy Food Swaps

Recommended serving size: 2 ounces lean roast beef on 1 slice whole wheat bread

Calories: about 210

Chicken Soup

Believe it or not, your grandmother was right: Chicken soup is the perfect snack when you've got a cold! Not only is the warm broth comforting and soothing (essential when you're feeling run down and uncomfortable), research at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha showed that chicken soup helps control the production and spread of inflammation and congestion-causing neutrophils (white blood cells). A cup of this soup gives you the perfect "dose." Related: Healthy Spring and Summer Soups

Recommended serving size: 1 cup

Calories: about 190

Tuna Salad

Packed with glutamine, an amino acid that helps step up your immune system's efficiency, tuna is a great pick when you're sick. Research at the University of Oxford showed that athletes who ingested glutamine after workouts were less likely to get an upper respiratory infection than those who didn't; for regular folk, glutamine could have the same beneficial effects. Mix your tuna with a tablespoon of low-fat mayonnaise and serve it on 6 whole-grain crackers for a healthy mini-meal. Related: 7 Fresh Salad Recipes

Recommended serving size: 1 6-ounce can of tuna packed in water with 1 tablespoon low-fat mayonnaise and 6 whole-grain crackers

Calories: 290

Ginger Tea with Gingersnaps

Ginger helps relieve congestion and has a soothing, spicy taste. To make a throat-calming, congestion-busting tea, steep chopped raw ginger in boiling water for about 10 minutes. Make your teatime a little sweeter by adding a teaspoon of honey to the brew and two crunchy gingersnap cookies on the side. Related: Low-Calorie Drink Recipes

Recommended serving size: 1 cup of tea with 1 teaspoon honey and 2 gingersnaps

Calories: about 85