Feeling down? Eating when sick can be the hardest thing to do, especially when you’re down with fever. The feelings of nausea, drowsiness and laziness overcome you and all you want to do is stay in bed. Medicine can taste horrible and unpleasant. The thought of getting up and making food for yourself is horrifying and repelling, but this is just one exception you just MUST make! When sick, eating healthy and eating the right foods is one of the most important things that must not be ignored nor taken granted for.
Loss of Appetite
Loss of appetite is a common symptom even in the simplest of disease. Deal with this problem by eating smaller meals throughout the day. Eat less than you do when healthy. Don’t overwhelm yourself, your body changes when you’re sick and it must be dealt with more delicately. Make sure you eat right: If you have a sore throat, drink warm fluids because you might experience trouble swallowing. Keep junk food to a minimum and only heat home-made food.
Dealing with Fatigue
The feeling of exhaustion makes matters worse. It completely takes over, making it impossible to do anything without cringing. To deal with this issue, stock up on prepared foods that you can just pop in the microwave or heat in the pan for ten minutes until ready. Think of Knorr soups and noodles. They may be unhealthy, but they are feel-good and comfort foods for when you are feeling the fatigue. Also keep nutritious snacks around such as nuts; boil yourself an egg (the powerhouse of all nutrients) and eat yogurt!
Dealing with Nausea
Nausea can get intolerable and annoying, but you mustn’t stop eating. Deal with nausea by eating bland foods and eat slowly. Take breaks and finish your daily intake of essential nutrients but don’t miss out. Talk to your doctor if nausea persists. The doctor may prescribe a medication to help you with it.
Best Foods for When You’re Sick
- Hot Tea – When down with the common cold, or flu especially in winter, hot tea is your savior. For sore throats and congestion, warm liquids are the best choice. Drinks rich in infection-fighting antioxidants such as freshly-brewed green tea provide support to the immune system. Don’t forget to stay hydrated-add lemon to lukewarm water and you are good to go.
- Citrus Fruits – Citrus fruits are jam-packed with Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an essential requirement of the body for effective wound healing and collagen synthesis. We all know about the relationship of citrus fruits with common cold and flu, but do you know exactly what forms the basis of this relationship? Citrus fruits have a detergent action-they prevent the thickening and build up of mucus in the upper respiratory passage. This makes it harder for viruses to get a hold and spread. This is why having oranges and tangerines make your winters pleasant!
- Bananas – These are jam-packed with potassium. Potassium stores are often depleted with sweating, diarrhea or vomiting. Bananas are really easy to digest and may also help lower body temperature.
- Garlic – Garlic acts like an antibiotic. A relationship between garlic and a reduction in the severity of cold and flu symptoms has often been established.
- Honey – Is that cough getting frustrating? Eat honey-the natural cough suppressant stocked with antimicrobial and anti-bacterial properties! Even better, add honey to your hot tea.
- Spicy foods – Even though spicy foods give us a hard time with runny eyes and nose, they are excellent natural decongestants. Next time you experience congestion, have some chilli peppers or laal mirch.
- Chicken soup – Chicken soup is probably the most famous and loved comfort foods when one is sick. It’s easy to make and easy to eat! It is excellent for sore throats, common cold and flu and for balancing electrolytes in the body.