7 Foods You Should Eat When You’re Sick

Being sick is never fun. It can leave you feeling down for weeks, keep you out of work, and make you lose your appetite. However, some foods are good to eat when you are sick. Here are seven foods that are good for you to eat when you are ill and can help you get better.

Citrus

If you are sick, citrus fruits can be your best friend. Citrus fruits are high in vitamin C. Vitamin C helps boost your immune system, which can help you recover from your illness. Frequent intake of vitamin C can even prevent you from getting sick in the future.

Chicken Soup

You may have heard that chicken soup is good for you when you are sick. It may seem like an old wives’ tale, but it is actually true! Chicken is not only a great source of protein, but it also has the amino acid cysteine. Cysteine is anti-inflammatory and works to break up mucus.

Tea

Hot tea, especially herbal tea, is a great beverage to drink when you are sick. Many herbal teas, like green tea, are anti-inflammatory and contain antioxidants. Hot tea helps keep you stay hydrated when you are sick and can even help relieve your congestion.

Honey

Honey is another excellent food to eat when you are sick. Natural honey has antibacterial properties and is very soothing for a sore throat. Some research even indicates that honey can reduce cough and boost your immune system. This makes it an ideal food if you have a sore throat. Add some honey to your hot tea for added health benefits when you are sick.

Ginger

If you had an upset stomach as a child, you were probably given ginger ale or some other ginger drink to calm your stomach. This is because ginger is known for its anti-nausea properties. Relieving nausea isn’t all that ginger is good for. Some researchers found that ginger has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Because of this, it might be useful to start keeping a ginger supply on hand just in case you get sick. Be careful when you are stocking up on ginger, though.

Bananas

Bananas as high in fiber and potassium, making them ideal if you have stomachache or diarrhea. Bananas are also bland and easy to chew. This makes it easy to eat and keep down if you feel nausea or weak from your illness.

Yogurt

While some think that you should avoid dairy products when you are sick, yogurt can actually be good for you. Yogurt has lots of calories and protein, which can help you keep up your strength. It can also provide some relief for a sore throat by being smooth, cold, and creamy. Yogurt also has antibacterial properties, which can help you recover fast and prevent you from getting sick in the future with regular intake.

While you can often get over a common cold and similar illnesses on your own, you might need to seek medical attention if you have persistent symptoms. In some cases, you may need medications to help recover from any illnesses you may have.