As lovely as autumn is, it’s also a time for sneezing, coughing, and (dare we say) the flu. Aside from sleep, your best combatant to a sniffling headache-y existence is a quality diet. So, if you’ve missed your flu shot appointment, don’t worry. Here are six restaurant dishes you can rely on for some cold and flu season defense this November.
Boxwood Cafe Roasted Poplar Bluff Beets
Really more of a preventative measure, this beet salad tossed with pea shoots and faro grain will leave you feeling healthily full and confident that the flu will breeze right by you this year. (340 13 Ave. S.W., 403-265-4006)
Double Zero Pizza Fennel and Orange Salad
If swallowing vitamins in the morning isn’t really your thing, just swing by Double Zero for lunch. This salad should have enough vitamin C for your daily intake. (751 4 St. S.W., 403-265-9559, doublezeropizza.ca, @DoubleZeroPizza)
Juree’s Thai Place Matsaman Beef Curry
Juree dishes out this Thai equivalent of a hearty, homemade stew. Chunks of beef, potato, onions and peanuts soak up an intense coconut-based broth. If this doesn’t make you feel a bit better, than nothing will. (2055 16 Ave. S.W., 403-264-6477, thaiplacegroups.com)
The Naked Leaf Rooibos Coconut Spice Tea
Can’t lose the cough? Naked Leaf’s (caffeine-free) blend of red rooibos, cinnamon, coconut, ginger and crushed chili is one of the best things to sip before bed. Neo-citron is so last week. (305 10 St. N.W., 403-283-5555, thenakedleaf.ca, @The_Naked_Leaf)
Nho Saigon Peanut Chicken Sate Soup
Looking for a pick-me-up? Sinus trouble, hangovers, jetlag after some world travelling … well, whatever it is, this steamy, spicy bowl of pho goodness will always cure what ails you. (2111 33 Ave. S.W., 403-246-1388)
Sushi Bar Zipang Miso Soup
Time to put down the canned Campbell’s and order some take out instead. Who needs quick fix chicken noodle soup when you have a simple, soothing miso broth joined by soft tofu and sliced scallions? (1010 1 Ave. N.E., 403-262-1888, zipang.ca)