Tips to avoid winter coughs and colds

How to beat coughs, colds and the flu, influenza

It's the time of year when everyone seems to be coming down with a cough, cold or even the flu. But you can avoid the seasonal snuffles, by putting our Top 10 tips into action

1.Think green.

Dark green leafy vegetables, like kale, greens and spinach, Vitamin C and E all help your body fight infections and boost your immune system.
- Find lots of tasty recipes with spinach and kale

2. Don't be a sinner.

Smoking and drinking may be enjoyable for many of us, but they won't help you fight off an infection. Smoking means you're more likely to get a sore throat, while wine and beer will attack your liver and it will take longer for any germs to leave the body.
- Find tips on how to stop smoking

3. Chill out.

Stress is a huge factor in staying healthy, so if you can cut out the things that get you all knotted up, then you're less likely to catch a cold.
- More information on stress and how to beat it

4. Go for a curry.

Turmeric and ginger are both common ingredients in curries and research has shown that they can help to boost your immune system and protect against infections.
- Try one of our great curry recipes

5. Make a fruit cocktail.

If eating lots of fruit sounds like hard work, why not rustle up a fruit juice. Oranges, limes, strawberries, blackberries and apples are all packed with immune-boosting nutrients and can really help fight off sniffles.
- Try one of our non-alcoholic cocktails

- Next: tips 6-10 on beating coughs and colds

More help and advice

- Is it the flu, or just a really bad common cold? Read our health advice to find out
- Pregnant? Find out how to treat coughs and colds without harming the baby
- Find out how to cope with babies
- Coughs and colds in young children

By Rob Mansfield