Sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, or feeling achy are all symptoms of the pesky common cold. Adults, in general, suffer from over 4–6 episodes of cold in a year. Diet is crucial in maintaining one’s health for any given health condition. As Hippocrates mentions, “let food be thy medicine.” One mustn’t compromise or deprive their tastebuds of relishing tasty food because they suffer from a stuffy nose. To start the day, a glass of hot lemon water does wonders in clearing a heavy head and nasal congestion. The vitamin C in lemon water helps shorten the common cold’s duration. Egg whites are a rich source of protein and have zinc and vitamin D in abundance, which helps give you energy and improves immune function. Poha is another option to add spice and flavour to your breakfast.
Keeping a light diet when suffering from a cold is preferred, as digesting it becomes easy. Khichadi is a go-to lunch option during sick days. Adding garlic and ginger to this rice porridge is essential, as garlic has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties that help fight nasal congestion and headaches. Ginger is another root that helps soothe sore throats, and it has antioxidant properties that help flush out toxins. One can also opt for tomato soup with ginger and garlic to add taste to it. The carotenoids and other vitamins help boost immunity and soothe a sore throat. Rasam, a popular south-Indian dish, is another tasty way to tackle the germs of the common cold. The pepper in rasam helps clean out the respiratory system. The curry leaves in rasam help tackle any other flu-like symptoms. Apart from its lip-smacking flavors, it not only aids in improving immunity, but the various amino acids in it aid in digestion. How can one forget turmeric when any illness is in the picture? Haldi doodh is an ancient remedy for boosting immunity. Turmeric has antibacterial and antiviral properties that help keep the flu at bay. Haldi is also known to control mucus production.
Although tasty, healthy food is encouraged to get through the illness with ease, one should also bear in mind restrictions. Deep-fried food, cold beverages, artificial sugar, and alcohol are triggers of runny nose, constant sneezing,and sore throats and should be avoided at all times during the period of sickness.
Dr Anish Desai is MD, Clinical Pharmacologist and Nutraceutical Physician, Founder and CEO IntelliMed Healthcare Solutions.
