Get Well Soon: 10 Foods To Help You Get Better When You're Sick & 10 To Avoid
Get Well Soon: 10 Foods To Help You Get Better When You're Sick & 10 To Avoid
Watch What You're Eating
It's flu season, which means we're all just looking for ways to get better and fast. When we're feeling under the weather, we often turn to comforting meals to help us relieve stress. But we're here to tell you, when you're sick, you have to be careful with what you eat too. In this article, we explore 10 foods that'll help you get better fast, and 10 foods you desperately need to avoid. To help you get over that cold more quickly, keep reading to learn more.
1. Chicken Soup
Turns out chicken soup isn't just for the soul - it's a great choice for fighting off your cold too! The warm, hearty broth will help soothe your sore throat, and it'll also help with keeping your body hydrated. Not to mention, the chicken provides protein essential for speeding up your healing process.
2. Ginger Tea
Ginger has always been known for its anti-nausea properties, so what better thing to drink than ginger tea when you're feeling unwell? A warm cup of ginger tea can do wonders in helping settle an upset stomach; it also provides hydration, which is absolutely crucial when you're sick.
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3. Bananas
Easy to digest and high in potassium, bananas will become your new best friend when you're feeling sick and queasy. These fruits are not only gentle on the stomach, but also help to replenish plenty of nutrients that may be lost thanks to vomiting or diarrhea.
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4. Oatmeal
When you're feeling under the weather, nothing is more comforting than a heartwarming meal. A warm bowl of oatmeal is just that! Providing you with an excellent source of energy, it's also easy on the stomach and can be topped with other delicious goodies like bananas or berries for added nutrients. Customize it to your liking for that extra mood boost.
5. Honey
Highly regarded for its antibacterial properties, honey is amazing for soothing sore throats and bad coughs. You can add it to any tea you like (a warm honey lemon tea will do the trick) or simply take a spoonful at night to ease any throat irritation. You'll be amazed at how effective honey really is!
6. Garlic
We're not telling you to take a bite out of raw garlic, but it is good to know that this superfood has incredible immune-boosting properties. When you're fighting off a cold, it's definitely beneficial for you to incorporate it into meals more often. Hey, even a garlic tea can make for an easy health boost.
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7. Leafy Greens
Whenever you're sick, just remember: green is good! Spinach, kale, and other leafy greens are packed with vitamins and antioxidants that support the immune system, helping you to recover faster. The best part? You can easily toss them into a smoothie for that extra boost, or use them in soups for a nutrient-rich, easy-to-digest meal.
8. Yogurt
Yogurt is a surprising food to consume when you're sick; it can be helpful getting you back on your feet! We recommend looking for ones with live and active cultures that can help regulate your gut bacteria better. Also watch out for ones that are extremely high in sugar.
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9. Sweet Potatoes
If you love sweet potatoes, you're in luck. Rich in vitamins A and C, this tasty root vegetable is great for boosting the immune system. They're also easy to digest and can be a comforting, tasty option when you're looking for a pick-me-up. Sweet potato fries sound pretty good right about now!
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10. Avocado
Everyone loves avocados so you'll be happy to hear it's a great food choice when you're not feeling well. They're not just trendy, they're a source of healthy fats and are easy on the stomach. It's also a fantastic way to add energy-rich food into your diet when your appetite is at a low.
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1. Dairy Products
We know you probably love cheese, but if you're sick, it's best if you stay away for a little while. Certain dairy products like milk and cheese are foods that can worsen congestion, especially if you're lactose intolerant. While there's not enough scientific evidence to fully back this up yet, there have been many reports of increased mucus production, which can be problematic if you're already dealing with a stuffy nose or a cough. Sometimes it's better to just play it safe!
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2. Caffeinated Beverages
Coffee lovers, we're sorry, but you're going to have to resist that warm cup of joe in the morning when you're ill. Caffeine can lead to dehydration, especially when you're sick, so it's best that you avoid it. Beverages like coffee and certain teas can also disrupt your sleep, which is a crucial step for a speedy recovery.
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3. Spicy Foods
While spicy foods might clear your sinuses temporarily, that temporary relief isn't worth it in the long run. Not only will it cause irritation for your already irritable throat, it can also cause stomach upset and heartburn, unideal symptoms when your body is already stressed and trying to fight off the cold.
4. Processed Sugars
It's a good idea to try and limit consuming high sugar content in processed foods when you're sick. Why? It can suppress your immune system's effectiveness and make your sore throat even worse. And we all know how annoying a sore throat is. We want foods that will help speed up our recovery, not prolong it! So in the meantime, it's best to avoid sugary snacks and desserts.
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5. Fried or Greasy Foods
Although we all love fried food from time to time, eating them while sick will only make things hard for you. Not only are they hard to digest, it'll further aggravate any stomach discomfort you're already experiencing. So during this time, hold back your cravings and stick to lighter, more easily digestible foods for your health's sake.
6. Alcoholic Beverages
Are you sure you want to drink when you're already feeling sick? We highly suggest you stay away from alcoholic beverages during this time so you can avoid being dehydrated and won't have your sleep cycles ruined. After all, the most problematic aspect is it can interfere with your immune system's ability to fight off sickness; we don't want that now do we?
7. Acidic Foods
This one's pretty self-explanatory but when you've got a sore throat, it's best that you avoid foods like oranges, grapefruits, and tomatoes. These already very acidic and sour fruits won't make your throat feel any better, that's for sure.
8. Hard or Crunchy Snacks
Nothing's worse than a sore throat, so to help avoid any additional discomfort, make sure you stay away from hard or crunchy snacks. Instead, opt for much softer foods that are gentle on your throat, not something that's rough and raggedy which will feel terrible when swallowed.
9. Raw Vegetables
Although they're definitely healthy, raw veggies can be tough on a sensitive stomach. Try to only consume cooked vegetables (the softer, the easier on your stomach!) which are easier to digest and less likely to cause you discomfort when you're already sick.
10. Red Meat
We know you love a good steak, but just hold out for a little while until you get better. Red meat can be particularly tough to digest, putting unwanted additional strain on your digestive system. Choose other protein sources like chicken or fish which tend to leaner.
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