Eight Best Foods to Cure Cold and Flu

Anytime you or someone at your home has flu or cold, the last thing that you may feel is the desire to eat. Of course, it is okay to eat smaller meals when you have flu because sickness does affect your appetite, but that does not mean you compromise with the foods you eat.

 

At all times, you must consume the right degree of foods that can offer you the energy and the nutrients to help you recover well. Here, in this article, we will discuss some of these foods that can help you when you are struggling with seasonal flu and cold.

 

So let us get started and address them one by one.

 

Chicken soup

 

For generations, chicken soup has been the go-to food to overcome sickness. It is an excellent source of proteins, calories, minerals, and vitamins, which are all the nutrients that your body needs, especially in larger quantities when you are trying to overcome any illness.

 

Chicken soup is also a rich electrolyte and fluid source, which can help you overcome symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or sweating. It is extremely warm on the throat and can alleviate congestion. Further, the spice content in the soup is also soothing for the throat.

 

Moreover, the chicken content in the chicken soup also has amino acid cysteine. It is a cysteine that breaks apart the mucus and has an anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antioxidant effect. You can make it at home from bone broth. It will have a good nutrient and collagen level and can accelerate the recovery process.

 

‘Anytime I fall sick, my mother makes me chicken broth. It certainly helps me recover faster,’ comments Justine, an online reviewer who did the best goatee trimmers review.

 

Broth

 

Be it any broth – vegetable, beef, or chicken; it is indeed one of the best foods you must eat when you have flu. You can eat broth as soon as you start seeing the symptoms and continue consuming it till all your symptoms wear off. Broth helps prevent dehydration.

 

Further, it has certain warm elements, which are soothing for the throat, and can help relieve congestion.

 

Popsicles

 

Popsicles are incredibly soothing for the throat and can be a good food choice when you have a dry, swollen, or sore throat. It also helps you stay hydrated, which is necessary when you are combating the flu. Getting adequate fluids in your diet aids in easing congestion. It also makes the mucus thin.

 

In addition, ice pops contain 100% fruit juice. Thus, it will provide you with all the vital nutrients and not just sugar and water.

 

‘I always make my ice popsicles at home. I pick all the fresh fruits, juice them, and then freeze them to get healthy juice bars. My kids also love them,’ comments Erica, an online reviewer who did the best trout reels review.

 

Turkey Sandwich

 

To combat the virus or illness, your immune system must function well. Generally, people lose their appetite when they are sick, but the only way to recover faster is by eating well. One of the healthiest dietary inclusion is the turkey sandwich. It is a good protein source.

 

Protein is a building block for the immune system, which is vital when you are trying to ward off any sickness. To elevate the flavour, you can top your sandwich with cranberry sauce. It will give the sandwich a tangy taste.

 

Herbal teas

 

When you are experiencing flu and cold symptoms, it is vital to stay hydrated. So, you can add as many fluids to your diet as possible. One such healthy inclusion is herbal teas. They are incredibly refreshing and can be soothing for your throat. Further, during the preparation and after it, try to breathe in their steam. It can help clear out the mucus from the sinus.

 

‘When preparing the herbal teas, I always add turmeric to them. It helps me get instant relief from sore throat,’ comments Kiara, an online reviewer who did the no tank toilet review.

 

Well, yes, Kiara, we are certain about the health benefits of turmeric-infused herbal teas. Turmeric has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

 

Further, the tea leaves have abundant plant compounds, such as catechins, flavonoids, and polyphenols. These can strengthen the immune system. Further, Catechins also guard against the influenza virus.

 

Usually, people recommend drinking Echinacea tea when they are experiencing cold and flu symptoms.

 

Garlic

 

Garlic has antimicrobial and antiviral properties. These support the immune system and helps combat infections, such as flu or cold. So, while you are sick, you must try to eat meals rich in garlic, which can help keep infection at bay.

 

Yogurt

 

Yogurt has excellent health benefits, especially when it comes to treating sore throat. The creamy and smooth texture of the yogurt feels soothing on the throat. Further, yogurt also has live cultures, which contain probiotics that are known for their immunity-boosting properties.

 

As a result, yogurt also aids in warding off the infection. Moreover, yogurt contains protein, which offers energy and strength to the body, thereby speeding up the recovery process.

 

‘Anytime I catch flu or cold, I eat a lot of yogurts. It certainly helps me clear off the mucus and is soothing on the throat,’ comments Mia, an educator who offers immunology courses online. 

 

Vitamin-C rich foods

 

Lastly, Vitamin C is an excellent immunity booster. Thus, it is a great dietary inclusion for your sick days. Of course, you can even take Vitamin C supplements for your sick day, but the body surely does a better job absorbing the Vitamin C found in the foods you eat.

 

So, anytime you have a cold, cough, or flu, you must hog on Vitamin-C fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, citrus fruits, such as lemon, orange, pineapple, etc., strawberries, and bell peppers.

 

So, these are the eight best foods you must add to your diet to keep cold, cough, congestion, and flu at bay or accelerate the recovery process when you have any of these illnesses. Know of more such foods? Let us know in the comments below.