The common cold is an illness everyone experiences. Once infected, immunity drops and energy wanes. However, medication isn't always necessary—dietary therapy can effectively alleviate symptoms. So what foods speed recovery from a cold? What should pregnant women do when they catch a cold?Find out below!
What to Eat to Recover Quickly from a Cold & How to Manage a Cold During Pregnancy (Public Health Network)
1. Drink Chicken Soup
American research indicates that chicken soup can suppress inflammation in the throat and respiratory tract, effectively alleviating cold symptoms like nasal congestion, runny nose, coughing, and sore throat.Chicken contains multiple amino acids essential for the human body, boosting resistance against pathogens.
2. Eat More Radishes
Practice shows that the carotene in radishes plays a unique role in preventing and treating colds.Preparation: Finely chop sweet, crisp, juicy radish and extract half a cup of juice. Crush ginger to yield a small amount of ginger juice, then combine with the radish juice. Add sugar or honey, mix well, and pour boiling water over the mixture to drink as a beverage. Consume three times daily for two consecutive days to clear heat, detoxify, dispel cold, and prevent colds.
3. Ginger-Sugar Tea Blend
Since colds often stem from external wind-cold pathogens, symptoms like headaches, nasal congestion, runny nose, body aches, chills, and fever are common. Boil equal parts brown sugar, ginger, and black tea into a broth. Drink 1-2 times daily to warm the body, dispel cold, and effectively prevent colds.
4. Reduce Salt Intake
Studies show that lowering sodium-containing salt intake increases lysozyme levels in saliva. This protects oral and throat mucosal epithelial cells, prompting them to secrete more immunoglobulin A to combat cold viruses. Limiting daily salt to about 5 grams thus offers significant cold-fighting benefits.
5. Honey Infusions
Honey contains various bioactive compounds that stimulate the immune system. Consuming it twice daily—morning and evening—effectively treats and prevents colds and other viral illnesses.
6. Incorporate Spices
Research from the University of Wisconsin suggests ginger and dried chili peppers help expel cold viruses and relieve coughs and phlegm. The American Cancer Society recently revealed garlic enhances immune function. Adding more spices when cooking can speed up recovery from colds.
What fruits to eat when sick
1. Pineapple: Pineapple contains nearly all essential vitamins and 16 natural minerals, aiding digestion and nutrient absorption. Its bromelain enzyme not only relieves sore throats and coughs but also breaks down proteins in food, boosts intestinal motility, and strengthens immunity.
2. Pears: Pears are cooling in nature with a sweet taste, promoting saliva production and phlegm reduction. They are particularly beneficial for those with wind-heat colds experiencing fever, dry mouth, coughing, and phlegm. Therefore, wind-heat cold sufferers may try rock sugar-steamed pears for excellent results.
3. Watermelon: Watermelon is cold in nature and sweet in taste, with functions to clear heat and relieve summer heat. During summer wind-heat colds, consuming watermelon quenches thirst and dispels summer heat. The Diannan Materia Medica states watermelon can "treat all heat syndromes."
4. Sugarcane: Sugarcane is cold in nature and sweet in taste, capable of clearing heat and promoting fluid production. The Dietary Spectrum of Suixiju considers sugarcane to have a "soothing effect on the throat." When wind-heat colds cause sore throat, dry mouth, and coughing, consuming sugarcane can clear internal heat, soothe the throat, and alleviate symptoms.
5. Pomelo: Pomelo is cold in nature and sweet in taste. Rich in nutrients like carotene, vitamin C, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, and niacin, it helps dissolve phlegm, suppress coughs, and benefit the lungs. However, due to its cold nature, pomelo should not be consumed in excess; eating 2-3 segments is sufficient for symptom relief.
6. Citrus fruits: Combining strongly acidic citrus fruits with honey, or blending citrus juice with honey and hot water, proves highly effective for treating sore throats.
What to Do When Pregnant Women Catch a Cold
Due to their unique physical condition, pregnant women should choose appropriate and safe methods to combat colds. Once infected, ensure adequate rest and avoid overexertion; drink plenty of water; follow dietary restrictions; seek timely medical attention; and take medication only under a doctor's guidance—never self-medicate.
1. Seek medical care and follow prescribed medication.Pregnant women have different physiological needs than others, so avoid self-medication. All medications are prohibited during the first trimester. Use caution with medications during the second trimester, especially gentamicin, streptomycin, and kanamycin, which should be avoided if possible. If you develop a cold, visit a reputable hospital, inform the doctor of your pregnancy, and take medication only as directed for safety.
2. Prioritize rest. Upon developing a cold, pregnant women should immediately cease strenuous activities, rest adequately, avoid fatigue and stress, and minimize the risk of complications. During disease outbreaks, maintain personal hygiene, avoid crowded places, steer clear of individuals with colds, ensure proper ventilation at home, maintain suitable temperature and humidity levels, and cultivate a positive mindset to bolster resistance against viruses.
3. Drink plenty of fluids (especially soups) to replenish fluids lost through sweating and fever, aiding in the elimination of toxins.
4. Adjust your diet appropriately: When experiencing a sore throat, minimize consumption of spicy, fried, or greasy foods. When coughing, limit citrus fruits like oranges and tangerines.
Summary: With the weather fluctuating between cold and warm, many immediately turn to medication when they catch a cold. However, remember that all medicines carry some toxicity. Natural remedies are often more effective than pharmaceuticals. The suggestions above offer significant benefits beyond treating colds—give them a try!