Can You Follow a Doctor's Diet?

Healthy eating can be complicated. With new diets promising weight loss, better health and more energy, how can you tell which programs are right for you?

AOL Health expert Dr. Sezelle Gereau Haddon recommends a diet that contains proteins, selenium, beta-glucans, antioxidants, indole-3-carbino and essential fatty acids to keep your immune system functioning at the highest level.

So which foods does the doctor prescribe on a regular basis to fight colds and flus while helping patients function at the highest level?

• Lean animal or plant-based (legumes, nuts/seeds) proteins are excellent. Salmon, for example, is a terrific protein, full of vitamins and minerals and a healthy amount of fatty acids. Seafood, nuts and poultry are also great sources of selenium.

• Whole grains -- especially oats, wheat and barley -- contain loads of beta-glucans.

• Medicinal mushrooms like maitake, shiitake and reishi are also rich in beta-glucans.

• Onions and garlic are antibacterial and can help fight off the threat of an upper respiratory infection.

• Ginger, turmeric and cucurmin are helpful in eliminating free radicals that can damage your lymphocytes.

• Colorful fruits and vegetables are high in vitamins C, A and E and phytonutrients that support the immune system.

• Cruciferous vegetables -- such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower -- shift your body away from an inflammatory profile, helping white blood cells work optimaviamlly.

• Foods such as cold-water fish and flax seed contain essential fatty acids.

Above all, however, she recommends avoiding simple sugars (they don't make you sweeter!). Sugars, desserts, white flour and refined grain products quickly convert into sugar that can suppress your immune system for some time after eating.

Visit AOL Health for more information.