It’s cold and flu season, which means it’s time to make sure your immune system is working properly. In addition to washing your hands and getting enough sleep, there are certain foods you can eat that will help boost your immune system this winter and keep you from dealing with unwanted illnesses.

At Main Street Radiology, located in Bayside, Flushing, and Jackson Hights, NY, the board-certified radiologists use state-of-the-art equipment to provide a variety of imaging services, including lung screenings, mammograms, bone density testing, colonoscopies, and cancer screenings. When they aren’t using cutting-edge diagnostic imaging tools, the experts are helping their patients stay healthy by suggesting that they add superfoods to their diets. Not only do these superfoods fight the flu, but they also assist in the fight against certain cancers, including breast cancer. Here are three foods that boost your immune system.

• Yogurt: When you are shopping for yogurt at the grocery store, look for options that have live and active cultures. These probiotics are healthy bacteria that keep your body free of germs. In addition to these cultures, yogurt is also high in vitamin D, which helps protect your body against diseases.

• Garlic: If you aren’t already cooking with garlic, try adding at least two cloves to your meals every day. In addition to enhancing the flavor, the garlic contains allicin, which fights infection and bacteria. It also helps lower blood pressure and slows down the hardening of your arteries.

• Chicken Soup: It’s not just an old wive’s tale. Chicken soup not only makes you feel better when you’re sick, but it also prevents you from falling ill in the first place. Chicken is high in vitamin B-6, which helps your body form new red blood cells. If you want to make this a double whammy of breast cancer and sickness protection, don’t forget to add garlic while you prepare your dish!

In addition to these breast cancer-fighting foods, try to add more oats and barley, shellfish, sweet potatoes, and mushrooms to your diet. These superfoods will protect you and your family from the flu, colds, and other common illnesses. For more tips on how to take care of your body, speak with the doctors at Main Street Radiology. With subspecialty training in everything from breast cancer to prostate cancer, these radiologists offer high-quality care in a comfortable, stress-free setting.

For more information about the services provided at Main Street Radiology, visit the website or call (718) 428-1500.