Do you have time to be sick? Seriously, who does? Okay, the thought of having to spend several days in bed sleeping does hold some appeal, but that  fades when you add frequent trips to the bathroom, or not being able to keep down any food.  While we are all trying to do more with less time, being sick really isn’t an option. So here is some advice from the December issue of EatingWell Magazine, and senior nutrition advisor Rachel Johnson, Ph.D., M.P.H., R.D., who revealed which 3 immune-boosting superfoods work—and what products aren’t worth the money.

Here is a brief rundown:

Green Tea: It is believed that green tea has immune boosting properties because of a potent plant antioxidant called polyphenols. But the downside is these polyphenols cause the tea to have a bitter taste. You can minimize the bitterness, according to the Tea Council by using just below boiling water and steeping your tea no more than two minutes. Also honey or lemon can help with the bitter taste, but don’t add milk. Because the proteins in the milk will bond with the polyphenols, making them inactive.

Probiotics: These are the good bacteria found in yogurt, sauerkraut, and other foods. They can help you overcome the gastro-intestinal problems that often come with holiday parties. According to a recent article in the American Dietetic Association, probiotics helps your immune system work better, improves digestions, and may reduce the possibility of intestinal infections.

Multivitamin: If you are felling under the weather, think about taking a multivitamin, with no more than 100% of the daily recommended allowance of vitamin and minerals. This can boost your immune system by making sure your body has all the tools it needs to fight off an illness.

But Be Wary Of:

Airborne: While Airborne does contain vitamins like A, C, E, Zinc, Selenium, and others that can help your immune system, it is tough to create a cause effect relationship between Airborne and improved immune efficiency. According to a report in the British Journel of Nutrition in 2002, deficiencies of any of these nutrients can depress your immune system. But the key word is deficiencies because most of us meet nutritional guide lines with the regular foods we eat. So taking Airborne may not be providing any additional benefit. 

Vitaminwater: While it is gaining popularity, Vitaminwater has released a “Defense” drink that claims to be “specially formulated with nutrients required for optimal functioning of the immune system.” Now it does offer a good way to absorb the vitamins, but is also delivers a large dose of sugar. According to the ingredients up to 95 percent of a Vitaminwater can be sugar.