As far as what to avoid when you're sick, steer clear of foods that may fuel inflammation or stress your immune system. Those foods include refined sugar, processed foods (especially those with artificial ingredients), conventional dairy and meat, caffeine, and alcohol.
Your body needs extra energy when it fights an infection. If you try to push through a cold, especially if you have a fever, you'll exhaust yourself. That could make your symptoms worse.
Worst foods: Avoid hard, scratchy foods such as potato chips, nuts, and granola. The acidic juices from many fruits and vegetables, as well as orange juice, grape juice, and lemonade, can also irritate a sore throat.
An earlier study had suggested that there may be a connection between sugar and the immune cells in your body being able to properly fight off an infection. As a result, your immune response would be weaker and you would have a more difficult time fighting off the infection.
1. Sweets. When you're suffering from a cold, you may like the thought of curling up in bed with a box of your favourite chocolates or sweeties. However, sweet snacks like these may actually make it harder for your body to fight the infection, worsening symptoms and making your cold last longer.
Although honey won't cure a cold, it may relieve certain common cold symptoms. Research has shown that honey might be used to relieve coughs. It may also be a soothing addition to warm drinks for a sore throat.
Hence, a person who is already suffering from cough and cold should avoid foods that are rich in histamines. Some foods to avoid are avocados, mushrooms, strawberries, dry fruits, alcohol, yogurt, vinegar and fermented foods.
Most colds go away in a few days. Some things you can do to take care of yourself with a cold include: Get plenty of rest and drink fluids. Over-the-counter (OTC) cold and cough medicines may help ease symptoms in adults and older children.
Research shows that the immune system follows a circadian rhythm and that the cells involved in healing and inflammation tend to rev up in the evening. Some evidence suggests that more white blood cells (WBCs) are sent to your tissues to fight off infection during the night compared to the day.
There is no way to get rid of a cold fast. A cold will usually go away on its own without treatment. However, a person may experience uncomfortable symptoms while they recover. People can take steps to aid recovery, such as getting plenty of rest.
Eat a diet that follows the acronym, BRAT – bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. Most people suffering from diarrhea can tolerate a few of these simple foods. Bland foods. Although not super exciting, very plain and bland foods can help ease symptoms.
Plain flavored yogurt is the best way to help your body recover from touches of the flu and colds. When choosing a yogurt, be sure to pick one that is rich with probiotics. This healthy bacteria helps shorten the duration of your illness by giving your body the strength to fight back.
Some symptoms, especially runny or stuffy nose and cough, can last for up to 10 to 14 days. Those symptoms should improve over time.
Days 3 to 5: Cough and More Nasal Congestion
Nasal symptoms continue to develop, peaking during the third and fourth days. You may notice that mucus from your runny nose has become thicker, with a yellow or green tinge.
Rest : This is the time to recharge your body's immune system. Rest and sleep are the best ways to do that. Make sure you're sleeping between eight to 10 hours at night. This is also a great chance to take a break from strenuous exercise for two to three days.
Vitamin C does not prevent colds and only slightly reduces their length and severity.
Nose blowing can relieve some sinus pressure and provide comfort, but it cannot clear the bacterial or viral infection of the sinuses. The infections require medical attention.
Day 4: Mucus may turn yellow or green (this is normal). Sore throat improves, but coughing begins. Days 5-7: Energy and congestion improve. 1 week+: Cough usually tapers off after a week, but can take up to 3-6 weeks to fully resolve.
Oatmeal is a great choice when you're sick because it's bland, easy to eat, and rich in vitamins and minerals. Use Greek yogurt and water to make overnight oats — an easy, no-fuss way pack in all the nutrients you need without having to do much work.
Eggs might not be the first food you think to chow down when you're feeling under the weather, but they may be one of the best foods for a cold. They're loaded with protein, which is an important nutrient to have in your body when you're fighting an illness of any kind, explains Roger E.