Flu symptoms normally appear three to four after infection, and the flu itself could last for four to seven days. Even after recovery, you may feel exhausted for a couple of days. The overall impact of flu lasts for about 10 days, leaving you without an appetite and consequently weak. You may feel tired, but making an effort to eat the right food in the right quantities during infection speeds up recovery.

The six foods listed below can help you recover quickly and regain strength after the flu.

1. Chicken Soup
Chicken soup is a trusted remedy for flu. It is easy to digest and contains the right vitamins and minerals that provide the energy to fight the infection. Flu may result in loss of fluids due to frequent sweating, diarrhea and nausea. Soup keeps you hydrated, reduces congestions and dislodges and expels the mucus. Chicken soup also has antioxidants that help fight the infection and make you feel better.

2. Vegetable and Fruit Juice
Your body will need around eight glasses of fluids a day to deal with the flu. Along with water, drinking two glasses of vegetable juice can help. The rich antioxidant and nutrient content can not only give you strength but also fight infection. They are easy to make and easy to digest when the body is weak.

Juices of fruits and vegetables are ideal during a bout of flu. They include,

• Oranges
• Lemon
• Grapefruit
• Green apple
• Carrot
• Beet
• Tomato
• Tender coconut water
• Kale
• Strawberry
• Kiwi
• Watermelon
• Lettuce
• Kale

Add a piece of ginger or little pepper to the juice to find relief from congestion.

3. Bone Broth
Such a broth is as effective as chicken soup as bones are rich in collagens and amino acids. Add pepper instead of chili to a warm broth as it can help with congestion and bring relief from flu.

4. Toast
Regular food may have spice and is rich in oil and, it can cause indigestion. Fresh, crisp toasts are ideal to have, along with soups and broths. Avoid butter for toasting and replace bread with crackers.

5. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is easy to make, rich in minerals and vitamins, and good for digestion. For many people, oatmeal is a comfort food for flu and cold. Avoid oatmeal with added flavors and use fresh fruits with some honey.

6. Herbal Teas
Parched throat, stuffy nose, congestion, headache and body pain together can drain and make you irritable and exhausted. Hot herbal teas can provide relief from some of these symptoms. Buy authentic and organic products for maximum benefit. Trying a few these herbal teas when you have flu will be beneficial:

• Nettle
• Hibiscus
• Green tea
• Ginger
• Peppermint
• Chamomile
• Ginger
• Elderberry

If you are making the soup and broth at home, use less salt. If you are buying readymade products, check labels and choose low-sodium products.