What foods are best to eat to fight a common cold?

Question

Leslie Bonci, RD, CSSD · Answer

Hey, guys, I know it's that time of the year common cold, and what can we eat to help us feel more comfortable? Well, it really depends upon the symptoms. So, if you're having like a sore throat, stuffing this even thinking something like chicken soup, this is why it's called Jewish or Italian penicillin because it really does help you to feel like you're clearing out a little bit. Secondly, even trying to support your immune system, and that means consuming foods with vitamin C, that could be orange juice, that could be great. Fruit juice or orange or Grapefruit Tangerine, those types of things. Third is that overall is you want to have some things with some flavor because of your stuff, then you probably don't feel so wonderful. So things that might be a little spicy might be a little bit more enjoyable. If your throat is sore, going with liquids, so things like soups, and stews and chilies, and smoothies can all be really, really helpful to do. And I think most importantly is that That you consume foods that you like and not making a big production about it because when you don't feel well, you don't really want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so making sure that you are well hydrated. That is critically important making sure that you were eating as regularly as you can to keep your energy levels up and making sure that you're consuming things, that actually help to clear. Some of that mucus can feel a little bit more comfortable, get better soon.

Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD · Answer

What foods are best to eat to fight a common cold? So when you're sick, your appetite goes down significantly and it's tempting to not eat at all. However, when you are sick is when you need to eat because your body needs nutrition to heal. So try to fight through that lack of appetite and eat what sounds good to you. If that is some soup, which is a common one, then that's great because a lot of soups can have a lot of vegetables in them and can have some protein and some good complex carbohydrates so that can be good. But just finding something that actually just sounds good to you. You want to keep yourself hydrated, of course, and the fruits and vegetables are going to be great because that's going to be high in vitamin C and vitamin A, beta carotene, some antioxidants. Those are all good things when you're sick to protect you and to build that immune system back up. And then also I would do a probiotic. Probiotics are great for our gut macrobiome and a lot of our immune system is in our gut. And so take a probiotic supplement but then also having some, whether it is some sauerkraut, some kimchi, some yogurt, some kefir, something that's going to give you some good bacteria as well.

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"What foods are best to eat to fight a common cold?"