Here at That's Fit, we often talk about how a healthy diet is good for you. But what does "good for you" actually mean? According to Diet-Blog, a healthy diet can have a positive impact on your immune system -- important information as we head into cold and flu season.

How does diet affect your ability to prevent or fight off nasty bugs? It gives your body the nutrients it needs to not only run efficiently, but also to fight off invaders before they infect. Since eating these foods won't stop a cold once it starts, you'll need to make these highly nutritional choices part of your daily diet.

For a healthy immune system, eat foods like:

• leafy greens, carrots, and sweet potatoes
• 100% juice
• high-quality protein like lean meats and fish, beans, lentils, or soy
• vitamin E-rich nuts and seeds, like sunflower, almonds, and walnuts
• whole grains, oats, quinoa, and brown rice
  
  

Of course, the choices are endless and Diet-Blog has even more ideas for you. Pair a healthy diet with sleep and exercise, and you can say bye-bye to those bugs and hello to a healthy winter.

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As fabulous as we at That's Fit think this blog is, the truth is there are hundreds of wonderful blogs on healthy living to be seen all over the blogosphere. So in this feature, Fit Links, we'll introduce you to some that have caught our eye.

Here at That's Fit, we write about health every day. But health and fitness don't happen in a vacuum; they are a very real part of every day life. So for today's Fit Links, I thought I'd go knocking on doors in the Weblogs, Inc. neighborhood and see what the other Lifestyle blogs were up to:

Marissa at Slashfood talks about getting more olive oil in your diet.
Susan at Aisledash discusses the dangers of crash dieting before your wedding day.
Gary at DIY Life tells us how to avoid cold and flu, necessary advice this time of year!
Heather of Parent Dish writes about her experience with skin cancer and her children's reaction to it.
Over at Styledash, Whit gives us tips on how to get our kids to wash their hands (properly).
Laura at Luxist shows us Chanel's new blinged-out bicycle.
Josh at Green Daily tells us how to clean up our indoor air quality.
Neil at Gadling warns us that, due to global warming, ski resorts may someday be a thing of the past.

There's lots of good reading in our neighborhood, that's for sure!

Nasty cough, three days of high temperatures, lethargy, refusing to eat -- I swore that the virus causing my two-year-old to suffer last week was the flu. But I had gotten her a flu shot back in October. What gives?

The CDC recently announced that there's a variation of the flu circulating this season that isn't covered by this year's flu vaccine. When vaccines are created, they include the top three most likely viruses to be spread. This year, a fourth bug is circulating that wasn't included in the vaccine. Is that bug the cause of our current woes? I have no idea, and since she's recovering nicely, whatever it was, I'm just glad that it's on its way out.

Does this mean that you shouldn't get a flu shot? Not at all. In fact, if you haven't gotten yours this year, it's not too late. The vaccine will still fight the three targeted viruses, and may even help you fight off this other virus and lower your risk of complications if you do contract it. Read more about this bug and the 11 states that are especially involved here.

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Though there's not always much you can do to avoid being exposed to cold and flu germs -- think of the person hacking away in the cubicle next to you or your preschooler coughing in your face -- you can protect yourself from viruses by eating a healthy diet. Good nutrition helps your body run well, and that includes your immune system. Not only that, but when you're in good health, it's easier to fight off the bugs you do catch.

Ediets has a list of foods that, eaten regularly, can give your body the antioxidants it needs to fight off flu this season. Get essential fatty acids from nuts and seeds, antioxidants from citrus fruit and leafy greens, and energy from complex carbs. Take a look at the gallery below for more flu-busting good nutrition choices.

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Though she was a healthy one-year-old, RSV knocked my older daughter for a loop. After about 5 days of pretty severe cold-like symptoms, she started wheezing. Her doctor tested for RSV and immediately put her on a nebulizer for several weeks. She recovered pretty quickly after that, but it was scary time for us as new parents.

RSV is a virus that causes cold-like symptoms in many of the people it infects, and it infects most kids by age 2. But in some, especially preemies, children with chronic health problems, and sometimes even healthy infants, it can also cause bronchiolitis, or inflammation of the small airways in the lungs. My pediatrician told me it was like "temporary asthma" and it's often treated with bronchodilators. There's no vaccination, and since it's a virus, antibiotics won't help either. So for at-risk populations like kids with asthma and preemies, it's important to practice preventative steps.

At-risk children can get regular shots of RSV antibodies during RSV season, and other children can be protected by practicing cold and flu prevention strategies. Keep hands washed and keep sick children home until they are well. Unlike some illnesses, RSV can reoccur, though the infection may be milder.

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Many parents were surprised this fall to find out that cold medications and antihistamines were no longer recommended for children. There are actually several types of medications that aren't safe for kids, and as we head into cold and flu season, it's a good time to review them. Parent Center has a list of seven medications never to give your child, and they include:

• aspirin and aspirin-containing products
• over-the-counter cold medications
• anti-nausea medications
• adult medications
• a medication prescribed to someone else
• expired medications
• extra acetaminophen

For most children (and most adults, in my opinion), colds can be handled with home remedies like plenty of rest, extra liquids, and TLC.

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Cold and flu season is definitely gearing up to be in full swing, but what if you have a nagging suspicion that your child isn't really sick? Health experts say that up to 10% of kids "fake it" at least once over the course of their childhood. CBS News has a few tips to help you decide if your child's illness is real, or if there is something else going on:

Signs of Cold and Flu

• cough -- dry or productive
• runny or stuffy nose
• fever
• red throat
• body aches
• fatigue
• napping

Signs of "Faking It"

• symptoms that don't have staying power
• perking up after the call to school has been made
• vague symptoms that move around the body (but be careful, because sometimes symptoms are vague)

Keep in mind that just because a child isn't really sick doesn't mean that something isn't wrong. Children may be avoiding school for a serious reason, like bullying, anxiety, depression, or high-pressure to succeed. If you find your child is faking on a regular basis, it's time to get to the bottom of the issue.

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For years, I've popped Cold-Eeze zinc drops whenever I get that telltale tickle in the back of my throat that tells me a cold is coming. Sometimes, my cold is mild, and sometimes it's not. I couldn't really tell you if zinc works or not based on my own very unscientific observations, but I always felt like it was doing something.

That something may have been a placebo effect...or maybe not. A recent exhaustive review of studies involving zinc vs. the common cold produced mixed results. At best, zinc gluconate lozenges may have a moderate effect on a cold bug, but zinc acetate lozenges were deemed worthless.

I ran out of Cold-Eeze before my last virus and it was really, really bad. Was it because I didn't have my zinc? Or would it have been a bad cold anyway? The jury continues to be out on zinc. What do you think?

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Fit and healthy adults don't often worry about pneumonia, since it's very young children and the elderly who are most at risk. But the fact is that anyone can acquire community-acquired pneumonia, and it's the sixth leading cause of death among adults.

You can reduce your chances of developing pneumonia by living a healthy lifestyle -- nutritious diet, exercise, plenty of sleep, and quitting smoking for instance. Though pneumonia isn't on the rise, doctors are seeing more cases that don't respond to the typical antibiotic treatment. Get in the know about pneumonia by reading this Q&A from the Baltimore Sun.

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There are a few reasons why colds and flu are more prevalent in the winter months. One reason is that we spend more time indoors, usually with the windows and doors shut tight. The other is that cold winter air and the continuously running furnace dry out mucous membranes, making it easier for germs to find their way in. There are, however, a few steps you can take to increase your chances of staying healthy this winter, including:

• Wash those hands, and wash them right. Scrub for 10 to 20 seconds several times a day.
• Maintain your exercise routine through the winter.
• Eliminate mold that you find on windows and doors.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Eat several small meals a day, each with a bit of protein, to eliminate cravings for sweets and simple carbs.

It's harder to keep up with healthy habits in the cold, dark winter months, but these tips can help you stay healthy through the cold and flu season.

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You wake up early to get ready for your morning run and discover that you've got a sore throat and your head is throbbing. Should you exercise when you're sick? It depends, says CBS news, on where and how sick you are.

Go ahead and exercise if:

• Your illness is above the neck: sniffles, sneezing, watery eyes.
• You take something to relieve your symptoms and feel generally well.
• You can breathe easily.

Put that workout off for another day if:

• Your symptoms are below your neck: coughing, body aches, or fatigue.
• You have a fever. (Exercise will further raise your body temperature.)
• You have bronchial tightness or wheezing.

Even if your symptoms are mild and you do decide to exercise, it's important that you are honest with yourself about your limits. Going for that 5-mile run can wait until you recover, but it may be ok for you to take a moderate walk. Better yet, try Pilates or yoga. If you exercise in a gym, it's polite not to share your germs with your fellow members. Stay home when you're most contagious, and when you do return, wash your hands frequently to avoid the spread of infection. And finally, if your body is telling you it' just needs a break to recover, don't feel guilty about giving it what it needs.

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Fingers are crossed that this will be a mild flu season, but if it's not, it's always good to be prepared. WebMD has complied a list of supplies you might like to have on hand if you or someone in your family comes down with the flu:

• pain relievers/fever reducers
• cough syrup and cough drops
• nasal sprays
• decongestants
• fluids
• tissues

For the most part, these are items you're likely to have on hand anyway. If you have children under 6, be sure to talk to your doctor before administrating any cold medicines. The FDA recently revised their recommendations on these products. Want to know more about what to buy, what these products do, and how to use them? WebMD has all of that information for you here.

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Have you come down with the latest bug that's going around? You may be ready to get up and face the work day anyway, but should you? Presenteeism -- or going to work when you're sick -- is a common phenomenon and you may think you're doing your company a favor by being there. But sick workers are far less productive and can even spread their virus to their co-workers. Maybe that sick day isn't looking so bad after all, huh?

Obviously, company policy weighs heavily on your decision. After all, no one wants to get fired for having the sniffles. But if you have some sick time and an understanding boss, here are some tips for helping you decide whether you should get to work or curl up on the couch:

Stay Home:

• fever
• chills
• fatigue
• deep, phlegmy cough
• earache
• pinkeye
• severe sore throat or white patches
• sinus pain (not contagious, but may need an antibiotic so see your doctor)
• stomach flu

Go to Work:

• sniffles in the absence of the above symptoms
• dry cough
• mild or tickly sore throat

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Have you caught a cold, or worse, the flu? There isn't much you can do but wait these viruses out, and sometimes the medicines meant to ease symptoms just end up making you feel worse. If you want to ride out your current bug naturally, try these home remedies for relieving those nasty cold and flu symptoms.

Try gargling salt water for a sore throat, relieving congestion with a steamy shower, or shoving a pillow under your mattress to avoid stuffing up while you sleep. Microwave a wet washcloth and lay across your face to soothe sore sinuses, or if cold feels better, try a pack of frozen peas. Most of all, rest and let your body recuperate. If symptoms suddenly worsen or you don't see improvement, go see your doc.

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Cold and flu season is on its way. And while a small cold is little more than a few days of annoying symptoms, the flu can be a far more serious illness. Since preschool, we've all been taught to cover our mouths when we cough or sneeze, but recently that former good habit has been put into question. After all, if you cover your mouth with your hand and then reach for a doorknob, you've unknowingly spread those germs anyway.

Better, say health experts, to sneeze into a tissue and throw the tissue away. If you don't have a tissue handy, cough or sneeze into your elbow. This will prevent you from spreading the germs with your hand or spreading them into the air. It takes a little time to relearn this habit, but after a while, you get the hang of it. Want to read more about how to protect yourself this cold and flu season? Check out this article from WebMD!

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