Best and Worst Foods To Eat When You're Sick

Being sick sucks! You feel miserable and you don’t want to spend your energy cooking. There is an old wives tale saying to “feed a cold and starve a flu”. This is not necessarily true. When you’re sick, you body is expending energy to make you healthy again. To help your body heal, doctors suggest fueling it with healthy, nutritious food. Hydrating yourself is especially important when suffering from nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. This can leave you seriously dehydrated. It can be hard to keep down food, but make sure you keep drinking and try eating easily digestible foods.
When you have a sore throat, you might not want to eat. Swallowing can be very painful, making you hesitant to eat anything. The same can happen when you’re congested. You can lose your sense of smell, which is obviously linked closely to your sense of taste. If you can’t taste your food, you certainly won’t feel like eating. We brought together 10 amazing foods that will help you heal when sick. Whether you are suffering from a cold or the stomach flu, we have some suggestions from experts on what to eat to get you healthy, faster…

1. Ginger

A common drink to enjoy when you’re sick is ginger ale, but have you ever wondered why? Ginger is a natural anti-nauseant. When you are feeling sick to your stomach, drinking ginger beverages can be the best option. Instead of pop, opt for a popular ginger soda that contains real ginger, not just ginger-sugar flavoring. You can also make your own ginger tea by pouring boiling water over slices of ginger and honey. Enjoy this hot beverage and feel the stomach relief.
According to a study from University of Rochester’s Dermatology and Radiation Oncology department, which monitored the effects of ginger prescribed to patients undergoing chemotherapy, a small, one-quarter teaspoon of ginger was effective in reducing symptoms of nausea by up to 40-percent.

Best Foods for Cold-Like Symptoms

The best way to kick a cold is to drink plenty of fluids and eat phlegm-fighting foods. Here are some of the best ones to pick.

Broth-Based Soup

Now this one isn't just an old wives' tale—chicken noodle soupactually can help soothe a cold. The chicken contains an amino acid called cysteine, which helps thin mucus in the lungs, and the hot broth helps to keep nasal passages moist, prevent dehydration, and fight inflammation in the throat. Plus, chicken soup (or vegetable broth) may also help the body kick a cold by stopping congestion and inflammation in their tracks.

Hot Tea

Drinking tea (especially Chinese, Japanese, or American varieties) while you're under the weather can help the body fight off infections, thanks to natural bacteria-fighting compounds in tea.Plus, warm liquids can soothe a sore throat and alleviate congestion, so drinks like freshly-brewed green tea or hot water with lemon are ideal for staying hydrated while helping out that stuffy nose.

Citrus Fruits

While vitamin C, found in large amounts in citrus, can't necessarilycure the common cold, several studies suggest that it can help reduce the length or severity of colds. What's more, fruits like oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and limes contain flavonoids, which can help boost the immune system and are great for speeding recovery.

Popsicles

Staying properly hydrated while sick with a chest cold can keep mucus thin and help lessen congestion. While it’s generally better to eat whole fruit rather than drink it, popsicles are great as a different way to hydrate and are especially easy on the throat. Buy ones made from 100-percent whole fruit, and bonus points if you make your own healthy popsicle.

Spicy Foods

Spicy foods can make our noses run and our eyes water, but they’re also effective natural decongestants. Eating chili peppers, wasabi, or horseradish can help relieve the symptoms of congestion


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