Knowing what to eat when you have a cold can make your recovery time a lot shorter than you may think!
When you are feeling sick or under the weather, a comforting meal can change your mood and even alleviate some of your symptoms. This actually has a particular reason and, in knowing what to eat when you have a cold or the flu, you could actually shorten the life of the virus, and recover faster.
Have you ever had a craving for a warm bowl of chicken soup when you have a fever? In reality, your immune system is requesting foods that provide a much-needed boost and help it fight back against the virus from the cold.
Delicious recipes for colds and for he dreaded flu are not that complicated. Many of the wholesome ingredients don’t even require cooking to allow you to absorb all the delicious nutrients that will kick-start your body’s defenses.
You’e probably heard a lot about eating citrus fruits when you have a cold; oranges, grapefruits, lemons, etc. are all great starting points when you need an extra dose of pure vitamin C to fight back against a cold. And while research has shown that it is not as outstanding in prevention, it is actually a good agent to shorten the duration of the ailment.
As stated above, what to eat when you have a cold does not have to be complicated because, in addition to fruits packed with vitamins and minerals, eating yogurt and kefir – super probiotic foods – can actually help your body replace and replenish healthy bacteria that prevent many ailments.
On the other hand, if you are the kind that prefers soup recipes for colds and flu, you may be surprised at the outstanding variety of stews that you can make to not only comfort your stomach, but make you feel re-energized and with the actual desire of leaving the bed!
While we have rounded up our favorites recipes for colds for your delight, we have also crafted a list of wholesome ingredients that clearly represent what to eat when you have a cold:
- Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, and even ice cream)
- Garlic
- Fennel
- Red Peppers
- Mushrooms
- Leafy Greens
- Blueberries
- Oranges
- Grapefruits
- Dark Chocolate
- Nuts
- Carrots
- Sweet Potatoes
- Sunflower Seeds
- Oatmeal
- Fish
- Lean Turkey
- Green or Black Tea
- Anise Tea
- Turmeric
- Ginger
- Honey
- Spicy Food
All of these foods provide the necessary nutritional value that your body requires to fight off a cold or the flu, while keeping you satisfied for longer periods of time and supporting your stomach health when taking medication.
In addition to this list, you can rely on these super-easy yet delicious soup recipes for colds and flu that will sure have you grabbing a second bowl just because you can!
- Hot and Sour Shrimp Soup: not only is this soup extra packed with flavor, but it has a much-needed kick if spiciness that will clear up your congestion and warm up your body in no time.
- Ginger Chicken Noodle Soup: ginger is a great mood booster and can help fight a sore throat, adding it to this delicious chicken noodle recipe will make it extra comforting and soft on your stomach.
- Tomato Fennel Soup: who doesn’t love tomato soup? This recipe is contains basil and chicken broth making it extra aromatic and a pleasure to sip with a touch of grated cheese.
- Roasted Butternut Squash, Garlic and Apple Soup: now this is something! Creamy, sweet and savory all in one, this blend will kickstart your immune system, while comforting your stomach and reenergizing your senses.
A great thing about these recipes is that, you can always make big portions and have enough left-over to eat during those days where you simply want to eat something yummy without having to put all the extra effort while being sick.
Making the right choice when it comes to your food intake can make a huge difference in how you feel, and how fast you can get back on your feet.
Sources:
http://dailyburn.com/life/health/immune-system-foods-colds-flu/