It’s almost that time of year, where we start passing around colds like we pass around the holiday dishes. While there are numerous sources out there for natural cold remedies (garlic, ginger, hydration, etc.), it’s also good to know which foods to avoid while sick or battling a cold. Since the body’s more vulnerable during illness, it’s best to avoid any foods that put the body under excess stress. Certain foods can make the unpleasant experience of being sick even worse.
Here are a few to steer clear of:
Skip The Juice
We all know that orange juice has a healthy reputation for all that immunity-boosting vitamin C, but juice also gets a bad rap for containing a heck of a lot of calories and not a lot of bulk.
On The Fence: Dairy Products
It’s tempting to drown those sniffly sorrows in the bottom of an ice cream sundae, but rumor has it that dairy might make things worse.
Eggs
You kind of have to be in the right mood for eggs, and they’re kind of hinky even in the best of circumstances. The smell also doesn’t do much for them. So when you’re sick, they’re really pretty off-limits.
Fast food
McGangBang, anyone? Didn’t think so. If you hesitate to entertain the idea of consuming something when you’re robust and well, take it as a hint that you shouldn’t eat it when you’re sick. Now, hangovers are a different story.
Fried Foods
Stay away from excess fats when you are sick. This goes for processed snacks and fried foods. Foods high in fat produce inflammation and inflammation produces a less active immune system.
Diet soft drinks
Aspartame, the chemical imposter that makes your sugar free drinks taste so sweet, could also be giving you a pounding headache.
Tomatoes
The list of foods you should avoid when you’re feeling nauseous is a long and fairly obvious one, including spicy foods, anything high in fat, and in some cases dairy. But did you know the usually healthy tomato is also a sickness no-no?
Spicy and Acidic Foods
While spicy foods might be good for nasal congestion, they can also be rough on the stomach and cause more pain and discomfort. Steer clear of them if you’re experiencing stomach upset.
Anything High in Sugar and Fat
High sugar intake can suppress the immune system and cause inflammation , Foods high in fat, on the other hand, can be more difficult to digest compared to carbs and protein, and can trigger stomach pains as a result.
Avoids those foods that make you sick and consume those foods that boost your immune system. When you are sick, just stick with a diet of whole, fresh foods and plenty of liquids. Treat your whole body with nutrition and not just your runny nose with an over-the-counter drug.
