You must have been through some uneasy days in life only to be restricted from eating your favourite foods! My mother usually restricts me from some foods and makes me eat something else when I am low or down with fever, and this is a common phenomenon and sure has scientific reasons. There are some foods that have healing properties while some foods contain enzymes or compounds that can aggregate the conditions. This is the reason why we are made to eat specific foods when we are ill and ignore the ones that cause problems. Here are the best and worst foods to eat when you are sick:
BEST FOODS
BROTH SOUP
Broth based sop is the best you can have when you are ill or not feeling well. This way, you can give all the essential nutrients to the body as you cannot eat all the solid food since you may often experience loss of appetite. The warmness and steam from the hot bowl of broth soup will calm your senses and help you recover soon. More on benefits of chicken broth >>
BANANAS
Bananas are rich in potassium which is often depleted when you are ill. It also helps in better digestion wherein when you are sick or ill, metabolism is affected! Bananas also provide an dose of instant energy which is needed when you are not well. Benefits of bananas >>
COCONUT WATER
Hydration is very important especially when you have a fever, sweat a lot or have vomiting or diarrhoea, which can cause you to lose a lot of water and electrolytes. Coconut water contains all the essential electrolytes and glucose you need when you are ill. Apart from electrolytes and glucose, coconut water also contains antioxidants. Coconut water benefits for skin and hair >>
HOT MASALA CHAI
Hot masala chai is a great remedy when you have fever or cold and flu. Just like chicken soup, hot masala chai works as a decongestant if you have cold and flu. Masala chai also is rich in various immunity boosting components which help to protect you from further illness and recover faster. Masala chai tea recipe >>
RAW HONEY
Raw honey is great in immunity boosting components. It is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and studies have shown that honey has some anti-viral properties too. It can ward off cold and cough and also boost your immunity which helps to protect you from further illness and also in recovering faster. Health and beauty benefits of raw honey >>
WORST FOODS
FRIED FOOD
When you are ill, stay away from fried foods like cutlets, French fries, fried chicken, potato chips etc. foods that are high in fat produces inflammation in the body. Inflammation in the body is directly proportional to less active immune system.
PACKAGED JUICES
Fruit juices are considered to be great when you are sick because it the only thing you may want to drink and not eat anything, so it provides you with fulfilled stomach and gives you an instant energy due to calories. But, this is the case with only fresh fruit juices and not packaged juices. Packaged juices contain extra sugar that can reduce the ability of white blood cells to fight illness.
ALCOHOL
Alcohol should be the last thing to come in your mind when you are not feeling well. Alcohol weakens your system and dehydrates you. Excess alcohol may also weaken your immunity and this may just make the condition worse.
PROCESSED FOODS AND JUNK
Processed foods and junk food contain no nutritional value which is the need of an hour when you re ill. In fact, it contains all the unnecessary ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, MSG, aspartame, artificial colours, preservatives, and acidity regulators etc. that are actually immunity suppressants. It is the best to avoid them!
DAIRY
Dairy products are a strict no-no when you are sick. Dairy products can increase mucus production, and mucus is one thing you don’t need more of when you are sick. If you crave for ice cream, have frozen fruit bars instead or homemade popsicles made from frozen fruit juices.