The food we eat can either help speed up our recovery or make us feel worse.
1. Khichdi: Is it the ultimate comfort food?
Khichdi is one of the easiest and lightest meals to eat when sick. Made with rice, lentils, and mild spices and vegetables (personal choice), it is easy to digest and provides the body with much-needed energy. It contains proteins from lentils and carbohydrates from rice, helping our body regain strength. The warm and soft texture of khichdi also soothes your stomach and prevents digestive issues, which are common when you’re sick. Adding a little ghee can further help in digestion and provide healthy fats for energy.
2. Vegetable soup with spices
A warm bowl of vegetable soup with healing spices like black pepper, ginger, and cumin is perfect when you feel sick. Black pepper helps in clearing congestion, ginger fights inflammation and soothes the throat, and cumin boosts digestion. According to a study done in 2004, vegetables contain many nutrients that can help to reducing the risk of chronic disease. Adding vegetables like carrots, tomatoes, beetroot and spinach increases the vitamin and antioxidant content, which strengthens your immune system. This soup is light on the stomach and keeps you warm, making it a great choice when you’re feeling cold or feverish.
3. Pomegranate
Pomegranate is one of the best fruits to eat when you start feeling sick. It is loaded with vitamin C, which boosts immunity and helps your body fight infections. As per s study done in 2014, this fruit helps prevent or treat various disease risk factors including high blood pressure or even high cholesterol. The antioxidants in pomegranate protect your cells from damage and speed up recovery. It is also rich in water content, keeping you hydrated and preventing weakness. If you have a sore throat, drinking fresh pomegranate juice can be soothing and refreshing.
4. Grapes
Grapes are another excellent fruit to eat when you’re feeling sick. They contain antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that help your body fight infections. Grapes are also rich in water, keeping you hydrated and preventing dryness in your throat. The natural sugars in grapes provide instant energy, which is helpful when you’re feeling weak. You can eat them fresh or blend them into juice for a refreshing and nourishing drink.
5. Herbal teas
Drinking warm herbal teas can do wonders when you’re sick. Teas made from ginger, tulsi (holy basil), turmeric, or chamomile help fight infections, reduce inflammation, and soothe the throat. Ginger tea is great for nausea and congestion, while tulsi tea boosts immunity. Turmeric tea helps reduce body aches, and chamomile tea promotes relaxation and better sleep. Sipping on herbal teas throughout the day keeps you warm and hydrated, which is crucial for a quick recovery.
