Q: Are there changes I can make in my diet that will make me more immune to colds and flus?

A: This is very simple: Eat more fruits and vegetables. If most of us really scrutinized our diets, we’d find that we fall short of consuming the 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables that are recommended each day. Do a little survey of what you ate over the last week and see how you measured up. Keep in mind that a “serving” is 1/2 cup of cooked vegetables, 1 cup of uncooked vegetables or 3/4 cup of vegetable juice.

If you are looking for a supplement that will give your immune system a boost, step away from the Vitamin C and the Echinacea. Opt for the omega-3 instead.

Dr. Brent Ridge is the health expert for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. You can call and ask him a question live every Tuesday at 2 p.m. Eastern on Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 112 (1.866.675.6675). You can also follow along as he learns to grow his own food and raise goats on his farm in upstate New York by visiting www.beekman1802.com.

Got a health question for Dr. Brent? E-mail him at drbrent@care2.com.