We know perfectly well what foods accelerate recovery from flu and colds. But still, when some of us get an infection, we feel so lazy to lean on hot drinks and fruits and vegetables containing vitamins to satisfy our hunger.
Thus, we eat anything that is available at hand to make ourselves feel better. However, it is not the right approach and may even lead to the development of other diseases. So which products should not be on your table when you have a cold? Let’s find out in this article.
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Prohibited Foods During Colds
Here is the list of foods you must avoid if you are ill to avoid any further inconvenience.
1. Sweets
All kinds of cakes, sweets, and pastries, to which the hand reaches itself during the period of illness, are not healthy. It is better to put them away in the closet and not buy them from stores, completely excluding them from your menu until you recover.
The fact is that refined sugar impairs the ability of white blood cells to destroy viruses and bacteria. In addition, it creates an ideal breeding ground in the intestines for the reproduction of harmful bacteria. It means that we inhibit the healing process with our own hands.
Besides, foods sprinkled with sesame seeds rolled oats, poppy seeds, and breadcrumbs also irritate the sore throat. So you should avoid eating sweet foods when you are sick and also don’t overeat them in general to have good health.
2. Alcoholic Drinks
Beer, vodka, and other alcoholic drinks constrict blood vessels, thereby provoking migraines. Such drinks have an extremely negative effect on the immune system and lead to dehydration. And at elevated body temperature, drinking alcohol can even be deadly.
So if you are somebody who has alcohol addiction, it might be the reason that you stay sick more often than other people. Based on statewide statistics, Virginia has an increased ratio of underage drinking, which either leads to the development of other problems or aggravates the effect of current health problems.
Thus, if your child often remains sick and abuse alcohol, you must consult help from the best rehab centers in Virginia as they have special programs for underage kids. Getting cold and flu may be a sign of weakened immunity due to alcohol intoxication, so getting treatment will help your child to recover.
3. Dairy Products
The controversy about the benefits of milk for colds and flu continues to this day. Experts are divided into two groups. Some urge to refrain from such foods, citing the fact that they increase the secretion of mucus, exacerbating a wet cough and runny nose.
Others believe that there is nothing more useful than warmed milk with the addition of honey, which increases endurance, giving strength to fight disease and destroy germs and bacteria. Dr. James Steckelberg, professor of medicine and consultant infectious disease, does not deny the ability of products based on milk protein to form mucus.
But, in his opinion, this does not in any way affect the thickness of the phlegm and does not harm the human condition. If you still have any doubts, then take teas based on medicinal and other herbs with the addition of honey as a warming drink. They will soften the throat and eliminate coughs.
4. Semi-Finished Products
Although doctors do not advise fasting during illness, loading the body with food that is heavy for the stomach is also not recommended. The more severe the cold or flu, the lighter the food should be. Thus, you must exclude culinary products and fast food from the diet as they create an increased load and heaviness in the abdomen.
The latter is also rich in salt, which does not bring any benefit, but only harm. Salt retains fluid in the body, and during the period of infectious disease, this cannot be allowed. The perfect substitute for all of these foods is chicken soup.
The amino acid cysteine present in poultry meat enhances the dilution of pathological secretions and their subsequent expectoration. Besides, the hot-rich broth prevents dehydration, relieves inflammation of the pharyngeal muscles and neck muscles.
5. Hot Spices And Canned Food
Spices irritate the lining of the intestine and also can significantly worsen the condition of people suffering from the common cold. Why does it happen? Because the capsaicin they contain also irritates the nasal mucosa, stimulating a profuse discharge.
The popular advice to eat more onions, horseradish, and garlic to increase immunity will only be useful for prevention during an epidemic of bronchopulmonary infection. With an underlying condition associated with a sore throat, instead of relieving it, this may increase the discomfort.
In addition, canned vegetables and mushrooms with an abundance of vinegar increase the secretion of gastric juice and provoke the development of such unpleasant consequences as heartburn. Such food is especially dangerous for patients with gastritis and ulcers.
6. Coffee
Cold, causing weakness and headache pain, consciously or unconsciously reminds us of the fragrant mug of hot coffee. But it should not be on the patient’s menu. Keep in mind that coffee is a powerful diuretic that can help promote dehydration.
In addition, it activates the biochemical processes in the muscles, which can only increase body aches. So it means that coffee does not have the best effect on immunity and energy recovery. After a short-term increase in tone and vivacity, lethargy and apathy, irritability, and loss of strength occurs.
Carbonated Drinks
Doctors advise refraining from carbonated drinks during the period of illness. Moreover, packaged drinks will not bring the desired relief either. The acid present in them will irritate the inflamed pharyngeal mucosa, and they contain much more sugar than the norm.
It is better to drink compotes and fruit drinks with the addition of honey and do it as often as possible. Drinks based on cranberries, raspberries, elderberries, rose hips, and orange juice is especially good for sickness. So you must replace harmful drinks with healthy ones.
Bottom Line
If your body temperature exceeds 38 degrees, then it is advisable to exclude coarse food from the diet altogether. Consume more liquids – soups, teas, and herbal infusions. But even if the temperature is not elevated, you should not load your gastrointestinal tract with heavy foods like sausages.
