What to eat when sick?

Dealing With the Dreadful Symptoms of Being Sick: What to Eat

When you’re feeling under the weather, getting the right nutrients is essential to both cure and comfort your body. Many things can be beneficial or even helpful while sick, you just need to know what to look for. In this article we’ll discuss which foods can be beneficial and just as importantly, which ones to avoid, so that you can be equipped for feeling better.

The Benefits of Eating Right When You’re Sick

What makes food beneficial for when you’re sick? The nutrients in food helps to boost your immune system and fuel your body, so it can heal. There are many foods that can help, so experiment with different flavors to find out what works best for you.

Let’s start with the basics; nutrient-dense food. If you’re struggling to eat anything, you may want to think about superfoods first. Foods rich in vitamins A, C and E, along with zinc, iron, and selenium, help to fortify your body from any illness. Extra-virgin olive oil, citrus fruits, broccoli and brussel sprouts, and lean protein sources (like fish and nuts) are all good sources of these essential vitamins and minerals.

Let’s Talk About What to Eat

There are some specific foods which are known for their healing properties when you’re feeling under the weather. Here is a list of them:

• Soup – Soup is an easy to digest meal that provides fluids, electrolytes, and even some minerals. Consider adding vegetables, legumes or even lentils to your soup and don’t forget to choose low-sodium versions.

• Yogurt – Yogurt is very important to eat when you’re feeling sick. The main benefit is that it is full of probiotics, which are helpful bacteria that can improve your gut health. Additionally, it has tons of protein, calcium, and potassium.

• Ginger – Certain spices can be helpful when you’re sick. For example, ginger has anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea effects. You can easily make ginger tea, soups, and broths.

• Garlic – Another spice that can be beneficial when you’re feeling under the weather is garlic. It can help to boost your immunity and has anti-viral and anti-fungal effects.

Foods to Avoid When You’re Sick

Unhealthy processed foods and carbohydrates lack essential vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients. Eating these foods can impair your health even more. Alcohol is also something to avoid. It can disrupt your sleep, reduce your immunity and may cause you to suffer from dehydration even more. Your goal when you’re sick is to stay hydrated and healthy, so keep unhealthy food and substances away.

Conclusion

When you’re feeling under the weather it’s important to feed your body the most nourishing and immune-boosting food. Eating nutrient-dense food and avoiding processed food, alcohol and other unhealthy substances can help you feel better quicker. Try soup, yogurt, ginger, garlic and citrus fruits to give your body the essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients it needs to help you on your way to feeling better.