From Chicken Soup to Oatmeal, Access Health Breaks Down Foods You Should Eat When You’re Sick

There’s nothing quite like a bowl of your mom’s homemade chicken soup when you’ve got a cold. Aside from the comforting and yummy taste of the soup, it’s also a beneficial choice from a nutritional standpoint. 

Whether or not you have your mom there to take care of you when you’re feeling under the weather, there are certain foods that may help you to feel a little bit better.  

Let’s take a look at a few. 

Chicken Soup 

As we mentioned, chicken soup is a staple food for many of us when sickness hits. What you might not know is that this go-to is full of nutrients that can help with recovery.  

Other than its ability to help reduce congestion, chicken soup is a great source of vitamins, minerals, protein, and calories that can help nurse you back to health.  

It’s also a fluid containing electrolytes, which can be beneficial for avoiding dehydration if you have any symptoms like vomiting, sweating, or a fever.  

Bananas 

Bananas are a great snack for when you’re sick, especially when you have an upset stomach. Bananas are full of potassium and essential nutrients, as well as soluble fiber. These provide necessary carbs, electrolytes, and can help reverse the effects of diarrhea.  

Ginger 

Ginger is an ingredient known to have many healing properties. It’s most useful in the instance of an upset stomach to help offset nausea and promote digestion.  

Ginger isn’t something you’d want to eat on its own. Instead, consider brewing up a ginger tea of some sort or even just grabbing some ginger ale at the store.  

Yogurt  

Yogurt is a great food to eat because of its probiotic properties. These healthy bacteria are beneficial for your gut and are thought to lead to faster healing.  

It’s worth mentioning that although yogurt can help with your digestion, dairy products can worsen congestion for some.  

Oatmeal  

Oatmeal is another easy meal to add to your diet when sick. Bland foods like this are often the safest option for an upset stomach. Oats provide healthy calories, vitamins and minerals, as well as fibers that can help alleviate constipation.  

Ultimately, you should try implementing these foods into your diet when sick as the best opportunity for a quick road to recovery. And on the flip side, you should be sure to avoid greasy, fried and sugary foods.