Throat infection: 10 foods to eat and not to eat
Jan 19, 2017
Here are 10 foods you should either eat or skip when you have a throat infection
Throat infections can be annoying. It might hurt so much sometimes that you can't even talk! This condition can also make it hard to eat. But if you want to get better, you need proper nutrition. It's a good idea to learn what can speed up recovery and what will just make it worse.
To get started, here are 10 foods you should either eat or skip when you have a throat infection.
What to eat!
Honey
Being a natural sweetener, honey is great for the throat. It can provide relief from upper respiratory infections, making it easier to sleep. In fact, it works just as well as over-the-counter cough medicines.1 Try it with tea, warm lemon water, or by the spoonful.
Banana
Bananas are nutritious, soft, and easy to swallow. Try mashing it up or making a healthy fruit smoothie. You can even soothe your throat with cool banana ice cream.
Soup
Warm soup can ease the pain from a throat infection. Mix in some wholegrain rice or cooked veggies like chopped beans and carrots. These ingredients will give your body the nutrients it needs to recover.
Soft Pasta
Like bananas, pasta is easy to swallow. Choose wholegrain, which has fiber and other nutrients. Add a tasty cream sauce or add some to your soup.
Scrambled eggs
A plate of scrambled eggs will keep you full, even if you can't eat much. Pair it with a side of mashed potatoes for a throat-friendly meal. Hard boiled eggs are another good option.
What not to eat!
Tomato sauce
Tomato products like ketchup and pizza sauce can irritate the throat even more. These foods are very acidic, so the best bet is to avoid them.
Spicy foods
Anything with pepper or garlic should be avoided. Skip the spices when you cook and be mindful about the sauce. All of these can spark an unpleasant coughing fit.
Hard snacks
Don't eat snacks like popcorn, potato chips, and crackers. The hard texture will bother your throat and prolong your road to recovery.
Sour fruits
Avoid acidic fruits like oranges and grapefruits. These can aggravate a sensitive throat, even in juice form. Don't add them to your smoothies, too.
Toast
Instead of crunchy toast, eat soft bread. If you don't have any phlegm, you can soak the bread in milk to make it easier to swallow.
Don't forget to drink plenty of water! Take a break from coffee and alcohol, two drinks that can worsen your condition. Top it off with plenty of rest and you'll feel good as new.