17 Delicious Recipes for Colds and Flus

Food not only provides a person with the energy necessary for life. It supports a weakened body during illness, relieving unpleasant symptoms. Everyone knows the saying of the healer Hippocrates: “Let food be your medicine, and medicine be your food.” Certain foods that have active properties can speed up the healing process. We present the 15 best products needed during illness.

• Instead of a conclusion
• How to treat flu with modern means?

Chicken soup

For hundreds of years, chicken soup has been recommended as the best remedy for colds. This is because the dish is rich in minerals, vitamins, protein and calories that the body needs during illness. Nutrients are concentrated in a product that is easy to prepare and easy to consume.

Chicken soup is necessary to maintain water-salt balance in the body. When visiting the toilet, a person loses fluid and electrolytes. A healthy dish restores the necessary level of fluid in the body. This is important in cases where the disease is accompanied by prolonged fever.

Medical observations of patients have proven that chicken soup is a natural decongestant. It cleanses the nose well of mucus, entering the nose with the help of steam. Chicken contains the amino acid cysteine ​​in large quantities. Acetylcysteine ​​is able to destroy and remove mucous discharge. The active compound cysteine ​​has a pronounced anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiviral effect. [1]

Cough and congestion in the upper respiratory tract are caused by neutrophils, a type of white blood cell with a specific action that are formed in the blood during illness. Chicken soup can suppress their negative effects on a weakened body. This peculiar inhibitory effect explains the effectiveness of the dish against the symptoms of influenza and other colds.

Chicken soup provides the body with essential proteins, vitamins, minerals, and calories. Restores fluid and electrolyte balance. The natural decongestant action is aimed at inhibiting specific cells that cause nasal congestion and cough.

Mulled wine for colds: popular recipes for making the drink

Mulled wine is a favorite alcoholic drink for many, but it not only tastes good, but is also useful for colds. Classic mulled wine is heated red wine with the addition of various spices and herbs, thanks to which the product warms the body. Mulled wine for colds can be prepared at home and drunk not only to treat the disease, but also to prevent it.

What is the benefit of the drink?

The beneficial properties of red wine have long been known, and in combination with other components they increase significantly. The product is considered effective for colds, coughs, and runny nose. To prepare a medicinal drink, red wine is traditionally used, in which the alcohol content should not exceed 7-10%. This drink does not cause intoxication, since under the influence of high temperature its strength is significantly reduced. If you want to increase the strength of mulled wine, add cognac or rum at the end of its preparation.
Initially, only those wines that were produced in the province of Bordeaux were used to prepare a useful remedy for colds and other diseases, but not everyone can buy such expensive wines. In addition, when heated, they lose their taste, so there is no need to use expensive aged wines when treating a cold. Nowadays, when wanting to make mulled wine for a cold, people are guided solely by their taste preferences.

Drink recipes

Many people have heard about treating colds with heated red wine, but not everyone knows how to prepare mulled wine for a cold. There are many ways to prepare it, but the drink must include the following components:

• lemons or oranges, because vitamin C strengthens the immune system, allowing the body to fight the disease;
• warmed wine;
• seasonings and spices - cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger.

Mulled wine for colds improves the patient’s well-being, reduces the intensity of symptoms of the disease, destroys pathogenic microorganisms, and thus speeds up the recovery process. You can use these simple mulled wine recipes for colds:

Recipe No. 1

To prepare you will need a liter of red wine, 100 ml of water, an orange, 3 tablespoons of sugar, cinnamon, a pinch of nutmeg, and cloves. Bring the water to a boil, add spices. The orange is cut into slices without peeling it. Then you need to strain the broth, heat the wine to 70 degrees, add orange and mix it with the broth. Let the medicine brew for 15 minutes and drink it hot.

If desired, instead of sugar, you can take honey, which will enhance the healing properties of mulled wine, but it can only be used if you are not allergic to this product.

Recipe No. 2

You will need a bottle of red wine, three spoons of honey, two slices of ginger, a cinnamon stick, cloves, a couple of allspice peas, half a lemon, one sour apple. Cut the apple and lemon into small slices, heat the wine and spices to 70 degrees. Cover the broth with a lid and let it brew for 40 minutes so that the drink absorbs all the beneficial properties of the spices. Add apples, lemon and honey, drink hot so that the patient sweats well.

Often other spices and spices are added to mulled wine for colds - vanilla, star anise, cardamom, anise. Their use is aimed not only at improving the taste of the drink, but also at increasing its medicinal properties.

When preparing mulled wine, you must always adhere to the following rules:

1. You cannot use ground spices, as this will make the drink cloudy and less aromatic.
2. Wine should not be brought to a boil, as at high temperatures it will lose its healing properties.
3. Honey should not be added to wine that is too hot; at temperatures above 50 degrees, this product loses its beneficial properties.
4. You don't have to use expensive wine.

To treat a cold, it is better to drink mulled wine in small sips before going to bed, after which you need to go to bed and wrap yourself in a warm blanket. Despite the effectiveness of this method of treating colds, there are the following contraindications to its use:

• pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• hypertension;
• cardiovascular diseases;
• digestive system disorders;
• children under 18 years of age.

Mulled wine will not only help you recover from a cold, but also strengthen and restore the body after illnesses; it can also be used for preventive purposes during an epidemic of influenza and ARVI.

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Broths

Broths, like chicken soup, help maintain the required level of fluid in the body during illness. They have a rich taste and are filled with vitamins and calories. Decoctions contain essential minerals - magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, folate.

During a cold, hot broths relieve unpleasant symptoms due to their pronounced anti-edematous effect. Some stomach diseases prevent you from eating solid foods. Decoctions come to the rescue, eliminating the feeling of hunger and preventing dehydration. They have a rich taste and rich aroma.

If salt is contraindicated for a patient, when purchasing ready-made broth in a store, you should pay attention to the sodium content. Most of the products presented have a high concentration of salt.

When making your own broth, you control the amount of salt yourself. A homemade dish tends to be high in calories due to its high concentration of protein and nutrients.

There is a category of people who are convinced of the benefits of bone broth. It should be noted that there is currently no evidence that this is a healthy dish or has any healing properties.

Hot drinking broth is rightfully considered a natural decongestant. This is a way to tasty satiate the patient, provide nutrients and protect against dehydration.

Garlic

Since ancient times, garlic has been famous for its special health benefits. Traditional medicine healers have used it for centuries in recipes to treat viral, bacterial, and fungal diseases. In addition, garlic was used to activate the body's protective functions.

Many specialists have studied the medicinal properties of garlic. During the observations, results were obtained about a certain effect of the plant on cold and flu viruses. Promising data suggests that garlic may help fight more serious illnesses.

One of the experiments involved two groups of people. One of the subjects was given garlic, the other a placebo. It was possible to establish that members of the group taking garlic got sick 70% less often than others. [2]

Another study found that sick patients who consumed garlic recovered faster than those who received a placebo. On average, the period of illness is reduced by 3-4 days. [3]

Several observations have led to the conclusion that garlic extract strengthens the immune system and reduces the intensity of symptoms of colds and flu. [4]

Garlic goes well with chicken soup and various broths. It gives a rich taste, an appetite-stimulating aroma and enhances the healing qualities of dishes.

However, there are studies that refute the effectiveness of garlic for colds, the data is contradictory. [20]

Foods that help you recover faster

Soups and broths are of great nutritional benefit for colds and flu. The most useful of them is chicken. It inhibits blood cells, which are responsible for the occurrence of inflammation and nasal congestion, as well as sore throat.

For preparing meat dishes, it is recommended to use: veal, chicken, rabbit and turkey. They need to be steamed, boiled and baked without forming a crust.

It is recommended to include porridges in the diet: oatmeal, rice and buckwheat. They will provide the body with easily digestible carbohydrates.

During colds, fermented milk products improve the intestinal microflora, which strengthens the body's resistance to viruses. The most useful: kefir, cottage cheese, natural yogurt.

You are allowed to consume several tablespoons of apple, raspberry, and currant jam per day. It contains a high concentration of vitamin C, which strengthens the walls of blood vessels and suppresses the proliferation of viruses and bacteria. There is also a reduction in inflammation and swelling.

Diet for colds should include spices and vegetables that have an antimicrobial effect:

• garlic;
• onion;
• horseradish;
• ground black pepper;
• ginger;
• cardamom.

In terms of their medicinal properties, they exceed even antiviral drugs. They can be consumed in pure form or added to tea.

Garlic deserves special attention. It can be used not only during the period of illness, but also used for prevention. Even in a minimal amount, garlic begins to actively act and increases the body's resistance.

Signs of a cold are minimized if you take 1 teaspoon of garlic-honey mixture three times a day.

Coconut water

During illness, it is important to maintain a drinking regime to ensure an adequate level of fluid in the body. Adequate hydration is the most important condition for diseases accompanied by fever, severe sweating, diarrhea, and vomiting. These pathological conditions can lead to significant loss of fluid and electrolytes.

Coconut water is an ideal drink during illness. Sweet taste and pleasant aroma are combined with high rehydration properties. Coconut drink contains a lot of glucose and electrolytes.

A drink made from coconut pulp replenishes water lost by the body after physical exertion, in cases of uncomplicated diarrhea. It is quite gentle for the gastric mucosa. [5]

Animal studies have shown that coconut water is rich in antioxidants that help prevent oxidation. Drinking coconut helps normalize blood sugar levels.

It is worth mentioning that a study has confirmed that coconut water can cause significant bloating. If you are trying this drink for the first time, start with small doses to prevent the appearance of unpleasant symptoms.

Coconut water has a pleasant sweet taste. It replenishes the required volume of fluid and provides the body with electrolytes that the body loses during illness.

What should you drink?

Without observing the drinking regime, it is impossible to imagine nutrition for colds and runny nose. The lack of sufficient water causes dryness of the mucous membranes of the throat and nose, which contributes to the accelerated proliferation of pathogenic microflora. With the necessary intake of fluid, they are restored, which helps remove microbes.

During the period of illness it is recommended to drink:

• warm water with lemon;
• herbal decoctions that have antiviral activity (chamomile, thyme, sage, linden);
• tea with raspberries and currants, which will provide the body with vitamin C;
• fresh juices and juices without sugar;
• tea or infusion containing ginger and honey;
• antiviral tea containing raspberry branches, ginger, cinnamon and coriander.

The patient needs to drink frequently, in small sips and at least 2 liters per day. The liquid taken should be warm and not contain any dyes or preservatives.

Hot tea

Tea has long been a traditional drink for colds and flu. He is struggling with the unpleasant symptoms of the disease. Hot tea, like chicken soup, is a natural decongestant.

Drink the tea hot enough to reduce swelling, but it should not burn your throat.

It is believed that tea is a diuretic. This is not entirely true. A small proportion of teas contain small amounts of caffeine, but it is too little to cause dehydration. On the contrary, regular consumption of tea helps prevent dehydration and has a mild laxative effect.

Tea contains concentrated natural polyphenols - tannins. These plant components are very beneficial for health, as they have antioxidant, anticarcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. Tannins are one of the types of tea polyphenols. They have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal effects.

Black tea

. Experiments conducted with rats showed that the tannins in black teas reduced the concentration of bacterial plaque on the throat. [6]

Hibiscus tea.

Another study looked at a decoction made from hibiscus flowers. It turned out that this type of tea inhibits the growth of the avian influenza virus. [7]

Echinacea tea

can significantly reduce the intensity of symptoms of flu and colds. [8]

Currently, a recipe has been developed for tea infusions that have an antitussive effect, relieve sore throats and alleviate cold symptoms. Their effectiveness has been proven in clinical studies. We can say that tea is an integral part of a therapeutic diet.

Tea can replenish fluid lost during the disease. When hot, it is a natural decongestant. Black teas reduce the concentration of pathogenic bacteria in the throat. Echinacea tea significantly reduces the duration of colds and flu.

Recipe for the best tea for colds

So, for vitamin tea for colds you will need:

• Grated fresh ginger root – 1 tablespoon (Read more: the benefits and harms of ginger);
• Ground cinnamon – 1 teaspoon;
• Grated fresh or frozen cranberries - 2 teaspoons;
• Boiling water – 0.5 liters.

Before you start treating a cold, take a large porcelain teapot, scald it from the inside, put all the above ingredients in it, pour boiling water over it, wrap it in a towel and wait 20 minutes. A fragrant and healthy drink is ready!

There is an alternative cooking method

- in enamel dishes. The tea can be kept on low heat for 2-3 minutes and then wrapped for 10 minutes. In any case, there is no need to strain it after brewing; let all the components settle to the bottom naturally and continue to release their valuable substances into the drink.

How to drink tea for a cold?

It is better to drink this tea with the whole family, a glass three times a day. Like any medicinal decoction, it should be consumed either half an hour before a meal, or at least an hour and a half after a meal. If you are already feeling unwell, be sure to drink this hot tea before bed.

Let's say you have dinner at 7 pm. Then at half past eight, slowly drink tea for a cold, maybe even a couple of mugs. And at 11 pm go to bed. This treatment order is optimal, since ginger is a strong tonic, and cranberry has a diuretic effect. This combination, you understand, does not help you fall asleep.

Many people are confused by the bitter taste of this healing tea for colds. But it's best to avoid the temptation to sweeten it with sugar. Try drinking this drink with honey. It is both tasty and very healthy, especially during the cold season, because honey perfectly strengthens the human immune system. Important note: you do not need to put honey directly into the tea. Once in a hot environment, it loses a significant part of its properties. It’s better to eat half a teaspoon of honey, and then wash it down with two or three generous sips of tea.

What to exclude from the diet?

Adults with flu and colds should exclude the following from their diet:

1. Semi-finished products. The more severe the disease, the lighter the food should be. Therefore, foods that place increased stress on the gastrointestinal tract should be excluded from the diet. Semi-finished products and fast foods are poorly digested and create heaviness in the stomach.
2. Fried and fatty foods. Such food should be completely excluded from the diet. It contains a lot of fat and carcinogens. By forcing the liver to fight these substances, the body places an increased load that it does not need during illness.
3. Juices. It is not recommended to drink freshly prepared or store-bought drinks if you have a cough or sore throat. When you have a cold, sour juice can irritate the inflamed mucous membrane. Because of this, the throat will hurt more, and the healing process will be delayed.
4. Alcohol. The use of such drinks for medicinal purposes is unacceptable. Alcohol is a diuretic and increases dehydration caused by a cold. In addition, it can speed up digestion, leading to diarrhea.
5. Sweet confectionery. Sugar weakens the immune system, which slows down the patient’s recovery process. Its particles settle on the mucous membrane, which promotes the active growth of microorganisms and increases the risk of complications.
6. Hard food. It includes crackers, cucumbers, shortbread dough. They can injure the irritated mucous membrane of the throat and worsen the patient's condition.

Honey

Unique compounds have been found in honey that have a powerful antibacterial effect. This effect is so pronounced that the ancient Egyptians used honey in wound dressings. Modern Egyptian medicine has not abandoned this tradition. [9]

Many studies have proven that honey has the ability to activate the immune system. This makes honey a necessary product for treating patients with bacterial sore throat.

Medical observations prove that honey can suppress obsessive coughing in children. However, it should not be given to children under 12 years of age due to the likelihood of allergic reactions, since honey is an active substance. [10]

To prepare a honey drink, you need to dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of honey in a glass of warm milk. It will have a sedative effect, destroy bacteria and replenish fluid levels in the body.

Honey activates the body's protective functions and has an antibacterial effect. It is able to relieve persistent cough in children over 12 years of age.

Ginger

Ginger has long been used as an effective antiemetic. In modern medicine, ginger is recommended for pregnant women to combat nausea, as well as for patients undergoing anticancer therapy.

The spectrum of action of ginger is similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Its anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial and antioxidant qualities are appreciated. [eleven]

If the disease is complicated by nausea or vomiting, ginger is the most suitable product to relieve and eliminate unpleasant symptoms. All the valuable qualities of this plant make it an indispensable component of therapeutic nutrition.

Fresh ginger can be added to main dishes and brewed tea. Ginger ale is available in stores. When purchasing products with ginger, carefully read the ingredients on the label. This is to ensure the presence of natural ginger or ginger extract, and not just a specific aroma.

Ginger is an effective anti-nausea remedy. Has a pronounced anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect.

Ginger lemonade

Recipe for one-time use.

Prepare with the following proportions: take a two-centimeter-long amount of ginger root for 2 teaspoons of honey and a slice of lemon. Ginger is pre-chopped with a knife or using a blender or grater; to save time, the peel does not need to be removed - it is rich in microelements and dietary fiber. Ginger and lemon are poured into a glass of hot water. Before drinking, the drink is infused for half an hour, only after which honey is added to the cooled mixture.

A recipe for prevention.

Lemon crushed in a blender, 150 grams of honey and grated ginger root in an amount of 300 grams are mixed in a glass container and set aside in a cold storage place, tightly closed with a lid. The resulting mixture is taken a teaspoon at a time to prevent flu and colds or dissolved in a glass of water to make a drink.

Liquid

You need to drink a lot during illness - it is recommended to drink at least 2 liters per day. This will help replenish the loss of fluid, which is excreted in large quantities through sweat at high body temperatures. In addition, phlegm will be easier to clear. What exactly should you drink? The best teas are those with herbs: chamomile, raspberry and currant leaves, linden blossom, dry raspberries. A very good remedy is tea with ginger, honey and lemon. You can drink juices, only natural ones and those that do not irritate the throat mucosa: fruit juices - apple, cherry, pear, raspberry, currant juice and vegetables, primarily carrot. Don’t forget about the old, proven remedy – cranberry juice, which has helped more than one generation cope with a cold more easily. Well, if you don’t have all this in the house, you can drink weak tea with or plain water. But the benefits of warm milk, which our mothers and grandmothers have also long been used to treat, are now being questioned by doctors. But if it helps you, drink it to your health.

Spicy food

Chili peppers and some other varieties of peppers contain a special substance called capsaicin. Touching the product causes a burning sensation. When it comes into contact with the oral mucosa, a person experiences the same sensations. High concentrations of capsaicin have an antihistamine effect. The substance is used to make pain-relieving ointments and patches.

Some people prefer to eat spicy dishes with pepper at the first sign of a cold. Specific taste qualities cause a runny nose, thinning mucus and clearing the sinuses.

Given the ability of capsaicin to remove mucus, nasal sprays were created. They have confirmed their effectiveness, significantly alleviating the patient’s condition, eliminating the feeling of itching and fullness of the nose. [12]

In some studies, it was noticed that products containing a burning substance can stimulate the production of mucus. That is, instead of treating a runny nose, you can make it even worse.

One of the main properties of capsaicin is the inhibition of the cough center. Regular intake of capsaicin capsules can reduce the intensity of chronic cough. Under the influence of the active substance, susceptibility to cough provocateurs is reduced.

To get a lasting effect, you should eat spicy foods every day for a long time. It should be remembered that products with capsaicin are not recommended for indigestion. They can cause flatulence, nausea, and pain.

Spiced dishes contain capsaicin. The substance has different effects on the body - it can help remove mucus from the nose or, on the contrary, contribute to its active production. Quite effective in eliminating cough caused by irritation.

On the subject: Spicy food prolongs life

Garlic and onion

It has long been known that when you have a cold you need to eat garlic. Its effectiveness is determined by allicin, a biologically active substance that kills pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and fungi. But for the beneficial properties of garlic to fully manifest themselves, it must be finely chopped and left for 15 minutes. After this, garlic can be used for food: simply crumble it onto bread or add it to a vegetable salad, soup, or any dish (except, of course, dessert).

The same applies to onions. It, too, if crushed, accumulates allicin.

It is advisable to eat half a small onion or two cloves of garlic per day. But we must remember that there are diseases for which onions and garlic are contraindicated: peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, pancreatitis, kidney disease.

Bananas

During illness, bananas should become a mandatory part of the menu. Fruits are easy to eat, they taste good and provide the body with a large amount of calories, ascorbic acid, B vitamins, and nutrients. For diseases accompanied by nausea, bananas are recommended as part of the BRAT diet - bananas, rice, applesauce, toast.

Bananas contain soluble fiber, which helps with dyspeptic disorders. If a patient suffers from diarrhea, then banana is the product that will help cope with it. Some hospitals offer banana flakes to patients with diarrhea. [13]

Bananas are rich in nutrients and calories. Due to their high soluble fiber content, they can relieve nausea and indigestion.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a soft and easily digestible product. Like bananas, it is rich in calories, vitamins and minerals. All elements are very important for a person during illness. Oatmeal contains very little protein - about 5 g per 1/2 cup. Natural oat flakes have a beneficial effect on health. They are able to stimulate the immune system and normalize blood sugar levels. [14]

An experiment involving rats showed that a type of fiber found in oatmeal, beta-glucan, can reduce signs of inflammation in the intestines. This element helps relieve intestinal cramps, eliminate bloating and diarrhea.

You should not buy ready-made oatmeal, saturated with sugar and other flavoring additives. A small amount of honey and fruit will bring much greater benefit. They will add beneficial properties to oatmeal.

One of the advantages of oatmeal is that it is easy to digest and contains a large amount of nutrients. Dishes made from this cereal stimulate the immune system, reduce the concentration of glucose in the blood, and, due to its enveloping properties, eliminate inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.

Yogurt

For a patient, yogurt can be an excellent addition to the diet. Quite nutritious with 150 calories and 8 grams of protein per glass. When cold, yogurt can soothe an irritated throat.

As a fermented milk product, yogurt is rich in calcium, minerals and vitamins. Some types of yogurt are rich in beneficial probiotics. Medical observations suggest that probiotics are suitable for children and adults, helping to resist colds, promoting faster recovery and taking fewer antibiotics. One study found that children who ate yogurt with probiotics felt better. In the group of subjects, the symptoms of the disease were 55% less pronounced and they recovered faster than others. [15]

Fermented milk products, according to some people, thicken mucus. However, there is no medical evidence for this. Studies have shown that yogurt has no effect on coughing, mucus production or constipation.

If the patient cannot consume dairy products, fermented foods with probiotics or probiotic supplements should be tried.

Natural yogurts are loaded with vitamins, minerals, proteins and calories. Some of them contain probiotics that can increase the body's resistance and shorten the period of illness.

Some fruits

Almost all fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber, which protect the body and support the immune system. Some fruits contain anthocyanins, useful compounds from the flavonoid group. Due to the presence of these substances, the berries are red, purple or blue. Most of them are found in cranberries, blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries.

Thanks to anthocyanins, berries can stimulate the body's protective functions, cope with viruses, and have a pronounced antiviral effect. This explains the presence of fruit in some therapeutic diets.

Research has shown that fruit extracts with high concentrations of anthocyanins prevent the introduction of pathogenic bacteria and viruses into healthy cells. Active substances stimulate the immune response to the appearance of pathogens.

For example, pomegranates act as antiviral and antibacterial drugs. They are capable of inhibiting the vital activity of bacteria and viruses, including E. coli and salmonella. The properties of garnets were studied in the laboratory, but the results allow us to hope that under normal conditions they have the same effect. [16]

Studies have shown that consuming fruits rich in flavonoids can reduce the severity of colds by almost 40%. [17]

The patient can be offered small portions of oatmeal or yogurt with added fruit. Frozen berries can be mixed into a cold smoothie to soothe a sore throat.

The pulp of many fruits is rich in anthocyanins, which have antiviral, antibacterial and immunostimulating effects. It is advisable to add berries to dishes to increase their beneficial qualities.

Diet for colds and flu

At the onset of the disease, patients must understand that this is not a diet for weight loss, but a proper diet. This will help you recover faster. After all, the patient’s body is already weakened, so it is prohibited to deprive him of nutrients and vitamins during periods of high fever and other symptoms. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the caloric content of the diet so that all systems and organs function normally. Nutritious and healthy food during illness becomes the key to a quick recovery.

Doctors say that reducing caloric intake can lead not only to an increase in the patient's susceptibility to the flu, but also aggravates its symptoms. At the same time, the duration of the disease increases.

In the first days of a cold, when the patient has a high fever, cough and sore throat, there is no talk of proper nutrition. Meals should be light, and when planning your diet, you need to listen to your body.

For comfortable recovery of the body, it is necessary to take into account the following nutritional principles:

• plenty of warm drinks;
• Patients need to eat when they want, and not under duress;
• It is recommended to eat fractionally 5-6 times a day;
• Dishes should be moderate in calories.

When drawing up a nutrition menu for colds and fever, you need to take these features into account in order to ensure a quick recovery of the patient. Otherwise, the food will create unnecessary stress on the patient’s body.

Avocado

Avocado is a unique fruit because it contains a small amount of carbohydrates, but a lot of fat, fiber, minerals and vitamins. The monounsaturated fats in it are similar to those found in olive oil.

Soft avocado fruits are an excellent nutritional element during illness. They provide the body with the necessary calories and nutrients. Avocado pulp is easy to digest. The high content of oleic acid helps the fruit cope with inflammatory phenomena. Healthy fats play an important role in strengthening the patient's immunity. [18]

Avocado fruits fight symptoms of inflammation and stimulate the immune system due to their high content of healthy monounsaturated fats, vitamins, and minerals.

Leafy green vegetables

During illness, the body must receive sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals. For this purpose, it is necessary to add green leafy vegetables to the patient’s diet. Spinach, romaine lettuce, cabbage are foods rich in plant fiber, minerals, vitamins A, C, K and folate.

Green vegetables are high in phytocomponents. They have antioxidant properties and are able to protect cells from damage. In addition, leafy vegetables have antibacterial qualities and can fight signs of inflammation. [19]

Green leafy vegetables can be added to the patient’s diet in omelettes, fruit smoothies, protein dishes, soups, and broths.

Leafy green vegetables are essential during illness as a source of fiber and nutrients. Beneficial plant compounds reduce symptoms of inflammation and resist microbes.

Foods containing glutathione

Glutathione is an organic substance that contains three amino acids: glutamine, cysteine ​​and glycine. It is a natural antioxidant that protects cells from the destructive effects of free radicals and strengthens the immune system. Most of it is found in cabbage, walnuts, strawberries, avocados, and watermelon.

In addition to nutrition, adequate sleep will help you overcome a cold: the more you sleep, the faster your recovery will go. And of course, during illness, you must refrain from all sorts of activities, especially not going to work, so as, firstly, not to get complications in the form of bronchitis, chronic sinusitis or pneumonia, and secondly, not to infect your colleagues.

Salmon

Salmon, as the best source of protein, is necessary for a weakened body during illness. The fish meat of this species contains high-quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids. All beneficial elements have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect.

Salmon meat is rich in minerals and vitamins. It is especially rich in vitamin D. Many people are deficient in cholecalciferol, which is necessary for the normal functioning of the immune system and preventing calcium loss. Salmon can be included in the diet of children, the elderly, and patients suffering from serious illnesses.

During illness, salmon can be a good source of protein. It contains a large amount of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D. Salmon meat helps reduce inflammation and stimulates the immune system.

How to treat flu with modern means?

Modern drugs fight influenza quite effectively. Don’t forget that the first thing you need for the flu is not antibiotics, but antiviral drugs (flu is a virus, not a bacterium). Read more about flu treatment ➤

Author of the article:

Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna |
Herbalist Education: Diploma in General Medicine and Therapy received from the University named after N.I. Pirogov (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Herbal Medicine at the Moscow People's Friendship University (2008). Our authors