A head cold puts a lot of restrictions on the type of food that can be eaten. This article will discuss what to eat when you have a head cold while ensuring that you eat healthy…
A head cold can get very disabling in terms of not allowing us to be able to taste and savor food. Everything tastes bland and unappealing. So what can be done in such situations so as to make the entire ordeal a little bit more tolerable? Well, the answer lies in eating healthy, which in turn correlates with the process of developing healthier immunity. You must know what to eat when you have a head cold, so that you can recover faster and feel better. Let’s discuss what all can be eaten during this illness.
Citrus Fruits
It may sound like a bad idea when you think about drinking juices, especially when you have a bad cold. However, there is a reason as to why doctors keep badgering us to drink lots of liquids while suffering from this condition. Firstly, the body needs water and nourishment so as to regain its strength; secondly, water seems unpalatable and that is why juices come to our rescue. Thirdly, vitamin C is proven to be effective against cold symptoms and it strengthens the immune system. Therefore, having fresh orange, grape, or lime juice helps alleviate a head cold. You should have a glass of juice early in the morning along with your breakfast. Avoid consuming milk products while suffering from this condition as it increases mucous and aggravates the condition.
Broth or Soup
Nothing tastes better than a bowl of hot chicken soup when you’re down with a bad head cold. Chicken releases cysteine when cooked, which is often artificially created so as to be adapted into mucolytic medications. This amino acid helps thin mucous and alleviates the symptoms to a large extent. If you’re a vegetarian, you may instead opt for some vegetable broth. While the hot liquid allows the taste buds to get reactivated, it also helps soothe the throat and fight off infection. Let the vegetables and meat boil for a long time so as to make the soup a bit thicker than usual. Add spices such as pepper, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, ginger and garlic into the soup and allow it to boil as well. All these herbs are excellent for curing common cold and similar conditions. Drink this concoction twice a day and you’ll begin to feel better within a few hours.
Light Food
Eat light meals which consist of green vegetables such as spinach, basil, lentils, broccoli, and cabbage. Avoid raw onions as that may make you feel a bit queasy. Do include fruit salads in your meals, however, try avoiding fruits such as bananas, papaya, avocados, and mangoes, as these are rather difficult to digest. Instead go in for lighter fruits such as oranges, pineapples, apples, watermelons and grapes. You may eat toast with a hint of butter, rusk, oat, muesli and porridge.
Tea Therapy
Green tea is a herb, and is believed to be one of the ancient head cold remedies. It has been used as medicine by people since generations. Tea is excellent for treating sore throat and fever symptoms. Though not a medicine in itself, tea does provide respite from the intrusive nature of a head cold. After you’re done boiling the water, add a few drops of fresh lemon juice and then add fresh honey into the concoction. The combination will provide instant relief and will help you feel rejuvenated.
Skimmed Milk and Turmeric
The only exception wherein milk can be taken during a head cold is when it’s mixed with turmeric. This ancient herb has several medicinal properties that help create resistance against most pathogens. In case the infection has already set in, turmeric’s antibacterial and antifungal properties help prevent the infection from spreading further. Turmeric milk has been one of the most trusted home remedies for head cold since centuries. Mix half a teaspoon of turmeric into a glass of hot milk, make sure that no solid pieces are left. If needed, boil the milk with the turmeric so as to mix the ingredients well. Drink this concoction after dinner.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Mix two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in warm water. Children especially do not like the taste of this concoction, therefore adding a few teaspoons of honey would make the drink more palatable. This is an old remedy that has helped generations fend off minor illnesses.
Ginger Honey Syrup
Cut a few slices of fresh ginger and then gently mash them so as to make a slight paste. Now squeeze the juice out of the ginger. When you have extracted about two tablespoons of ginger juice, mix a teaspoon of honey to it. You may add some fresh ground black pepper to this concoction as well. This medicinal combination is excellent for treating head cold and sore throat. You may chew the ginger along with some honey as well if you do not mind the strong flavor.
Spicy Food
Those who like spicy food can take this opportunity to indulge in hot Mexican or Indian cuisines rich with chillies and pepper. Spicy food unblocks the mucous membrane and brings respite. The medicinal properties of chillies helps fight infection and is a rich source of vitamin C, carotene, vitamin B and B6, potassium and iron. So in a way you’re building your body’s resistance against infection while you are already ill, which helps cure the illness faster.
Apart from the above listed foods, it’s very important to drink plenty of water every now and then. This will help prevent dehydration and weakness. If you feel too weak you may add some sugar and salt to boiled lukewarm water.