Seven foods to include in your diet to stay away from viral

New Delhi [India]. Sept 19 (ANI): With the advent of the rains it is important to ensure to keep sickness at bay. The damp and filthy conditions in monsoons plays a host for many diseases and germs which cause some serious health issues like dengue, malaria , conjunctivitis , typhoid , viral fever and chikungunya. Hence Sakshi Saxena, a senior nutritionist at Healthians advised to include immune boosting foods in daily diet to avoid the health issues. Firstly, eat garlic. Allicin, the major active component found in garlic, is responsible for its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Secondly, drink plenty of fluids. Soups are friendly and good during monsoons as they help fight diseases like cold, flu and also rejuvenate your body. Other fluids include herbal tea, masala chai, yoghurt and others. Thirdly have dark Leafy or bitter ones. It includes bitter gourds and herbs like neem, spinach, methi seeds, tulsi, aloe vera, broccoli, wheatgrass and red bell peppers as they help in preventing infections. Fourthly intake turmeric. Drinking hot milk with pinch of turmeric powder will help you in preventing throat infection, coughs and fever. Fifth, add fruity power to your life. Eating fruits help to restore energy so opt for fruits that are rich in Vitamin C like oranges, sweet lime than apples, pomegranate, pears, pineapple, lime, and amla. They contain a large amount of vitamins which helps to fight against infections and keep body free of diseases. Sixthly have wholegrains, which include oats, brown rice and wheat bread are easy to digest and help to fight against infections. Seventh, skip sugar and fat. Sugar is one of the worst things to consume, especially if you are trying to stay healthy. Sugars weaken the immune system and help bacteria to grow. Avoiding sugars is the key to staying healthy, particularly when you're under stress or in the middle of cold and flu season. "Try to opt for foods which are grilled , steamed or baked to avoid stomach cramps and try to avoid raw and street foods during monsoons. It's just 2-3 months to control your foodie appetite before you get sick and take the pain. Go for them and be healthy," said Sakshi. (ANI)