The 4 Worst Foods To Eat When You're Sick
When you’re feeling under the weather, there are certain foods you’ll want to stock up on in order to start feeling better sooner. Similarly, there are also certain foods you should do your best to avoid when you’re feeling sick, so you can make your cold or flu more bearable. A general rule to follow when deciding what to eat when you’re sick is to avoid any foods that cause inflammation. Here are four foods that you should stay away from as long as you’re feeling unwell.
Dairy
Dairy is thought to increase the production of mucus in the body, which isn’t entirely helpful when you’re sick and your body is producing more mucus than normal. Besides, you probably aren’t really craving any sort of cheese or milk product when you’re sick anyway. If you really need some dairy in your diet, even when you’re sick, yogurt may be good for you in small amounts. Just be sure to get the kind that’s high in live active cultures, since those probiotics are what may help you feel better faster.
Fried, Fatty Foods
It’s especially important to avoid foods that are high in grease and fat if one of the symptoms of your sickness is an upset stomach. Greasy, fatty foods, like fried chicken, often leave your stomach feeling unsettled and heavy, wreaking more havoc on your body than you need. Steer clear of fast food when you’re sick or fighting off a cold.
Sugary Foods, Drinks, And Snacks
Refined sugars and artificial sweeteners cause inflammation within the body, so do your best to avoid highly processed foods with added sugar in them. Honey is a great natural alternative to refined sugar, and it’s great at giving your immune system a boost while reducing the urge to cough. Whole fruits are another great alternative to sugary foods, since the sugars found in whole fruits are completely natural, and are balanced by a healthy dose of fiber and other essential nutrients your body needs to stay healthy.
Highly Acidic Foods
Adding more acidity and inflammation into your body while you’re fighting off a respiratory infection is never a good idea, so stay clear of highly acidic foods while your body battles off the cold or flu. Highly processed foods, which are often high in sodium content, are often guilty culprits in adding acidity to the body. Stay away from red meat and dairy as well, as your body will probably not be able to digest these foods as well while it’s fighting off an infection.