what to eat when you have a cold
What to Eat When You Have a Cold
The current article provides a brief overview about certain foods that should be consumed, as well as the ones which should be avoided, in order to manage the symptoms of cold.
Cold is generally the result of a viral infection, and tends to get resolved on its own. The symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, headache, body ache, and watering of eyes. These may be accompanied with coughing, sore and itchy throat, and low-grade fever.
Most people opt for over-the-counter medicines to deal with the symptoms, or resort to well-known home remedies like inhaling steam, drinking hot soup, etc. Listed below are certain food items that are helpful to alleviate the symptoms of cold, as well as certain foods that tend to aggravate the condition.
Foods that Help
Steaming hot broths and soups, like the hot and spicy ginger-chicken soup, is the first thing recommended to consume when suffering from cold or sinus infection. The reason this has been known to be one of the best home remedies to deal with cold, is its effectiveness in alleviating the symptoms. Scientific studies have shown that ingredients like garlic, ginger, etc., serve as anti-inflammatory agents, and also help in mucus drainage, thus relieving congestion.
Apart from this, the foods that provide relief, as well as the necessary nutrients, include:
- Cranberries
- Oatmeal
- Apples
- Jalapeno peppers
- Ginger tea (or any other herbal tea)
- Brown rice
- Mixed green salad
- Steamed vegetables
- Fresh fruit and vegetable juices
- Cakes
- Pastries
- White rice
- Coffee
- Meat
- Cheese