Released November 3, 2009

STILLWATER, Okla. – By practicing healthy habits, you and your family can stay healthy during cold and flu season.

Janice Hermann, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension nutrition specialist, said when the weather gets colder people tend to stay indoors, therefore people catch colds or other viruses.

“While there is no way to cure the common cold or flu, there are steps a person can take to prevent these illnesses,” Hermann said. “It’s important to wash hands. Colds are commonly caught by rubbing the face. Washing hands will protect against infection picked up from contaminated surfaces. For best results use warm water, soap and wash for 20 seconds.”

Other good health practices include not sharing cups, silverware and cleaning surfaces such as doorknobs, faucets and telephones with soap and water.

Staying healthy is more than staying clean; Hermann says stay healthy by boosting the immune system.

“Being healthy includes getting plenty of rest, getting a balanced diet, regular exercise, decreasing stress and cutting back on unhealthy habits such as smoking,” she said. “The best way to get recommended amounts of essential nutrients needed for health is to eat a well-balanced diet containing a variety of foods and by following the USDA MyPyramid.”

The MyPyramid can be found at http://www.mypyramid.gov.

The following food groups provide nutrients that assist the body in maintaining a healthy immune system:

• Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are excellent sources of phytochemicals and antioxidants including beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium, which are important in maintaining the immune system.

• Meat, poultry, fish and eggs are sources of protein, iron, zinc and vitamin B6. These nutrients are also very important to the diet in order to maintain a healthy immune system.

“Good health comes down to eating a healthy diet that includes adequate amounts of food from all the MyPyramid food groups,” Hermann said. “It’s important to keep in mind other healthy behaviors during this time of the year.”

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http://www.dasnr.okstate.edu/Members/katie.reim-40okstate.edu/eat-well-to-prevent-the-flu

Source: Jeffrey L. Ullman, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, 509/335-5948, jullman@wsu.edu

Writer: Katie L. Reim, 405-744-6792, katie.reim@okstate.edu