It's finally happened, even though you've tried to prevent it: You've caught a cold. With more than 200 different cold viruses on the loose, it's virtually impossible to not get sick at least once each year. Yet with the strategies in the Take Care of Your Cold Diet, you can reduce the duration of a cold by about half and also decrease the annoying side effects, like stuffy nose and sore throat. Here's how:

• Drinking water and other liquids will help loosen mucous secretions. Warm drinks in particular will increase your mucous flow, helping you to feel less stuffy. That's why this food plan includes lots of herbal tea and fruit juice.

• Fresh, whole foods raise your nutrient uptake. This meal plan includes fresh vegetables and fruits that can help your body heal faster.

• Chicken soup really can make you feel better! This diet encourages you to eat soup on a daily basis while you're sick.

• Experts recommend getting 500 mg or more of vitamin C per day to help reduce the duration of a cold. This plan includes foods and drinks high in vitamin C to attack your cold with full force.

Start eating the breakfasts, lunches and dinners that will help you conquer your cold quickly.