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6 Foods to Eat When You Have a Sore Throat: Doctors' Advice
20.12.2023 12:43
Updated: 23.01.2024 20:14
Everyone is familiar with that terrible feeling when it hurts to swallow, your throat is very dry, and you can’t talk.
Although some people simply refuse to eat in this condition, it is very important to eat to overcome the disease. This is much easier if you choose the right food for a sore throat.
Food is an underrated but effective remedy for a sore throat. Foods that contain a lot of nutrients will help restore strength and increase the body's resources.
If you manage to eat even a few pieces, you will be able to replenish your vitamin and mineral reserves. This will allow you to better fight the infection that caused your sore throat in the first place. Vitamin C and zinc are very important, for example.
Doctors say the most common cause of a sore throat is a viral infection. The virus and your immune response to it cause inflammation in the lining of your throat, which causes pain.
Typically, experts recommend drinking warm liquids, such as broths and tea, as they are easy to swallow and soothe the pain. You should also choose mostly soft foods for food so as not to injure the delicate mucous membrane of the throat, so consider yogurt, oatmeal, or some kind of gelatin.
If you are lying in bed with a sore throat, eat the foods on this list to help you feel better and get better faster.
Chicken soup
A sore throat can be caused by inflammation and dehydration, among other things. Liquid foods, such as chicken broth, not only replenish lost water, but also provide the body with the necessary sodium, which helps retain it within the tissues.
The same goes for almost any broth. If you are on a vegetarian diet, use vegetable broth.
Honey
Natural honey has been a mainstay of medicine since ancient times, and for good reason. Modern research has proven that Manuka honey is useful in combating various bacterial or viral infections.
It is also effective against the common cold and has strong antimicrobial properties.
However, everything is good in moderation: large doses of honey contain a lot of sugar, and this can prevent the immune system from doing its job effectively.
Yogurt
It is a good source of carbohydrates, proteins and healthy fats, as well as probiotics and microbes that support the immune system and prevent infection from entering the body.
Recent studies show that there is a link between regular consumption of yogurt and a reduced incidence of respiratory infections and ear pain.
Additionally, the soft, cool texture of yogurts makes them a suitable food when nothing else will soothe a sore throat.
Mashed potatoes
Leave the skins on your potatoes when boiling and mashing them to get an extra source of magnesium, vitamin C and immune-boosting antioxidants.
You should not consume mashed potatoes too hot, as this may further irritate your throat.
Eggs
Chicken eggs are a dietary product and have a fairly soft texture. Boiled or cooked as an omelet, they will be a great breakfast or dinner.
In addition, eggs contain many minerals such as zinc, selenium and iron, as well as vitamins B12, D, which can help fight the nasty infection that causes a sore throat.
Oat flakes
Oatmeal is rich in zinc, magnesium and antioxidants, which help in the detoxification and cleansing process in the body, and then remove toxins and infections.
What Foods to Avoid When You Have a Sore Throat
Doctors advise staying away from crunchy (hard) and sour-tasting foods when you have a sore throat because they can make the pain worse. So foods like crackers, coffee, juices, and alcohol are off-limits.
Often, nutritionists advise against eating fatty or spicy foods when you are sick. Sometimes, they can cause acid reflux, which can make a sore throat worse.
Fat weakens the muscles responsible for holding food in the stomach and increases acid production, which causes digested stomach contents to flow back up into the esophagus and cause irritation.
Spicy foods such as chili and cayenne pepper sauces and condiments will also irritate the throat by affecting the lining of the throat.
Previously, we published material about the health benefits of pumpkin seeds.
