Foods to avoid when sick

Below are foods you should and should not eat when suffering from common illnesses due to weather changes.

When we are sick, the body needs more calories to function normally. Using the right food during this time will help you have enough energy to recover quickly. Below are the foods you should not eat when you have common illnesses due to weather changes (cold, flu, runny nose...) that can be accompanied by stomach pain.

Spicy and acidic foods

While spicy foods can help clear congestion, they can also be harsh on the stomach. Along with citrus fruits, they are also beneficial for cold-like symptoms; however, fruits like grapefruit, oranges, and lemons can also irritate the stomach lining, causing pain and discomfort. Avoid these two foods if you have an upset stomach.

Avoid these fruits when you have a stomach ache.

Sweets

High sugar intake can suppress the immune system and cause inflammation, so avoid these foods when you're sick.

Foods high in fat

Besides burgers and fries, fatty foods can also be harder to digest than carbs and protein and can cause stomach upset.

Milk (maybe)

Many people believe that drinking milk can stimulate mucus production, making congestion worse when you are sick. However, recent research has shown that this is actually due to the placebo effect. But regardless of whether you drink milk, mucus is still produced, and drinking milk can make the mucus feel thicker, so to avoid discomfort, avoid drinking milk when you are sick.

Best Foods for Cold-Like Symptoms

Soup

Chicken contains an amino acid called cysteine, which helps thin mucus in the lungs, and hot chicken soup helps keep your airways moist, prevents dehydration, and fights sore throats. Additionally, chicken soup (or vegetable broth) can also help your body fight off colds by preventing congestion and inflammation.

Hot tea

Drinking tea (especially teas from China, Japan or America) during this weather can help the body fight infections thanks to the natural antibacterial compounds found in tea.

Warm liquids can also soothe the throat and ease congestion, so drinks like freshly brewed green tea or hot lemon water are ideal for keeping the body hydrated and helping to clear a stuffy nose.

Citrus fruits

Although vitamin C, found in citrus fruits, does not cure the common cold, many studies show that it can help reduce the duration and severity of colds. Furthermore, fruits such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruit contain flavonoids, which can help boost the immune system and speed recovery time.

Spicy foods

Spicy foods may make your eyes water and your nose run, but they also have a natural and effective decongestant effect. Eating chili peppers, mustard, etc. can help relieve congestion symptoms.

Best Foods for Stomach Symptoms

Stomach symptoms can accompany the flu, so eating bland, easily digestible foods and staying hydrated is the best way to recover quickly. Foods you can eat in this case include:

Cookies or toast

Salt-free or lightly salted crackers and toast are simple, bland foods that are easy on the stomach. These starchy foods will not aggravate stomach symptoms and can be beneficial for digestion and recovery from an upset stomach.

Banana

Bananas are rich in potassium, which is often lost when you sweat, vomit, or have diarrhea. They are also easy to digest and can help replenish lost electrolytes.

Ginger

Research shows that ginger is extremely effective in preventing nausea and other stomach-related ailments (like constipation, bloating, and vomiting). Drinking ginger tea or ginger ale (to avoid damaging the stomach with carbonation) can help keep you hydrated while also soothing upset stomachs./.

According to Health and Life