When one has the flu, one may feel under the weather, experiencing symptoms like sore throat, sniffling, and weakness. During this time, it is essential to take plenty of rest. Along with rest and prescribed remedies, it is also important for one to be mindful of what they eat and drink. Certain foods can worsen the symptoms and prolong the recovery period. Here are seven such foods to avoid when experiencing cold and flu.
Sugary foods
High amounts of sugar can harm the body’s immune system by suppressing it. Along with that, too much sugar can also increase inflammation in the body. So, it is especially important to avoid sugary foods during cold and flu.
Pickled foods
Pickled foods are acidic in nature. Due to this, they can increase inflammation and worsen the symptoms of cold and flu, such as a sore throat.
Fried foods
The body’s digestion also gets affected during the flu. Adding fried foods to one’s meals in this condition is not a good idea. This is because such foods are significantly difficult to digest, which puts more burden on the body.
Full-fat dairy products
Just like fried foods, full-fat dairy products are also difficult to digest, especially when the body is recovering from conditions such as cold and flu. Thus, until recovery, it is best to avoid products such as full-fat milk, cheese, and ice cream.
Crunchy foods
A sore throat is a common symptom of cold and flu, and crunchy foods can worsen the condition by irritating the throat. Thus, crunchy foods such as chips and crackers are best avoided when one experiences cold or flu.
Refined carbs
Refined carbs such as white bread and rice must be avoided during cold and flu because they get easily broken down into sugar, causing a spike in one’s blood sugar levels. This hinders the functioning of the immune system and can also cause inflammation in the body.
Caffeinated beverages
When going through a cold or flu, the body loses a substantial amount of fluids due to mucus production and sweating. So, it is essential to avoid coffee, tea, sodas, and other caffeinated beverages as they can increase dehydration.
