To ensure health: eat less, breathe deeply, live in moderation, cultivate a happy mood, and maintain interest in life. When a person is sick, they may find it difficult to have an appetite. However, it's important to receive nutrients and stay hydrated, especially when you're not feeling well. Different types of foods can fight different types of diseases. People with sore throats can benefit from foods that won't help people with nausea. This article provides a list of foods to eat and not to eat for people with common illnesses. A stuffy nose, cough, and sore throat are common symptoms of colds and flu.

The following foods can help relieve congestion and inflammation and strengthen your immune system. 1. Herbal Teas When experiencing cold and flu symptoms, it's important to stay hydrated. Herbal tea is refreshing, and inhaling its steam can help clear mucus from your sinuses. Adding turmeric powder to a cup of hot water may help relieve a sore throat. Research shows that turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Tea leaves are rich in natural plant compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids and catechins. These stimulate the immune system. Catechins, in particular, may protect against certain types of influenza viruses. Some people recommend drinking echinacea tea to shorten the duration of cold and flu symptoms. However, this effect has yet to be confirmed by scientific research. 2. Honey bacterial infection can cause sore throat. Honey is rich in antibiotics that help clear these types of infections. Honey is also effective in treating coughs in children, but it should not be given to babies under 12 months of age.

A review published in 2018 compared honey to common over-the-counter children’s cough medicines, a placebo, and no treatment. Researchers found that honey appeared to be more effective than diphenhydramine and albuterol, two drugs often used in cough suppressants. Honey can also produce similar effects to dextromethorphan, another common ingredient. However, the results are limited because most studies in the review only looked at acute cough for one night. 3. Citrus fruits and berries Citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons and grapefruits, contain large amounts of flavonoids and vitamin C. These fruits can reduce inflammation, boost immunity, and help fight fever. Some research suggests that a flavonoid called quercetin, also found in berries, may help treat rhinovirus infections. This virus is responsible for most common colds. Frozen smoothie juices often help relieve sore throats. Foods to Avoid Many people believe that dairy increases mucus production, although there is little scientific evidence to support this. However, dairy products may thicken mucus, which can worsen sinus congestion.

Caffeine can cause dehydration, which can worsen congestion. However, some caffeinated beverages, such as tea and coffee, contain immune-boosting antioxidants and may be helpful when consumed in moderation. Alcohol can worsen cold and flu symptoms by causing dehydration and triggering an inflammatory response. Nausea, Vomiting, and Diarrhea When a person has one or more of the above symptoms, the key is to eat foods that will soothe an upset stomach. Doing so can help people regain their appetite.

1. Ginger Research shows that ginger can reduce the effects of nausea and vomiting, although more research is needed to confirm these findings. People can add 1-2 teaspoons of fresh ginger to a cup of hot water to make ginger tea. Soak the ginger for 5 minutes, strain the mixture and add a little honey to sweeten it. Crystallized ginger is high in sugar and should be consumed in moderation. Avoid drinking fizzy ginger ale as this can further irritate your stomach.

2. Baby food BRAT stands for: bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. These foods are not irritating to the stomach. The diet is rich in starch and low in fiber, which binds loose stools and speeds up recovery from diarrhea. Other bland foods that can be added to the baby's diet include: Biscuits Oatmeal Watermelon Boiled potatoes One should start slowly, initially Drink water frequently for a few hours, then slowly add other liquids such as apple juice or broth. If the stomach is still stable, it may be safe to try more solid wet foods. Those with gluten sensitivities should make sure to choose gluten-free options. It is usually safe to resume a normal diet after 48 hours. 3. Coconut water When the stomach wall becomes inflamed, the stomach will feel uncomfortable. Coconut water contains compounds called tannins, which can help reduce inflammation. Coconut water is also rich in minerals such as sodium and potassium. They help the body rehydrate quickly after diarrhea or vomiting.