The best and worst foods to eat when sick

There is no escape from this: what we eat directly influences the health of the body and food is important at all times of our life, and should always be taken into account. However, when we are sick, attention and care must be redoubled. After all, some foods have the power to restore our health.

“Healthy eating strengthens the immune system: even when the individual is already affected by a disease, it is essential for him to recover more quickly and also to prevent the progression of the disease”, explains Alice Amaral, a doctor specializing in Nutrology.

Choosing food to compose meals does not just mean knowing the best items for the menu. Knowing what to avoid is an important part of the process, as many common foods in our daily lives contain harmful components that can delay recovery or even worsen the condition.

Although food is not solely responsible for the health of the body, finding out about the properties of each food and understanding what types of nutrients are needed to recover health can be quite useful. Although some diseases require a medical consultation for the best adjustment of diets, more common ailments, such as flu and gastrointestinal problems, can improve with simple and easy-to-follow dietary tips. Check out!

Food in case of flu and colds

When it comes to the flu, the first thing that comes to mind is to adopt a diet with vitamin C. E, according to Dr. Alice, this is no myth. “Vitamin C does not cure the flu, but it is an excellent preventive food, in addition to alleviating some flu symptoms (runny nose, malaise)”, explains the nutritionist.

But it’s not just foods with vitamin C that can make a difference: propolis is also a very useful food at this stage. “Rich in bioflavonoids, amino acids and vitamins; it is a powerful antioxidant food with antibiotic action, being a powerful ally in the fight against the flu virus”, guarantees Alice Amaral.

Apart from vitamin C and propolis, in case of flu symptoms, some nutrients are essential for the recovery of the body and strengthening of the immune system – this is the case of vitamin A and zinc. Components with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action, such as flavonoids, are also good choices.

Also, if you’re already on a diet, this is the time to rethink what you’re going to eat. “Right now, you need to invest in easy-to-eat foods, without worrying about the amount of calories consumed. As the body is fighting the cold, it is time to give up very restrictive diets”, instructs Mohamad Barakat, an endocrinologist specializing in metabolism, exercise physiology and quality of life.

Check out the best and worst foods for your diet in times of flu.

best foods

• Avocado;
• Pumpkin;
• Acerola;
• Coconut Water;
• Cress
• Broccoli;
• Cashew;
• White meats;
• chestnuts;
• Onion;
• Carrot;
• Green tea;
• Green cabbage;
• Spinach;
• Bean;
• Dry fruits;
• Chickpea;
• Orange;
• Lentil;
• Lemon;
• Mango;
• Nuts;
• oysters;
• green and red peppers;
• Propolis;
• Tomato;
• pink grape;
• Vegetables in general.

worst foods

• Alcoholic beverages;
• Fried food;
• fats;
• Gluten.

Food in case of gastrointestinal problems

When the problem is a gastric disease, care with food is essential for recovery. In addition to paying attention to hydration, it is necessary to consume fiber, vitamins and minerals.

One of the best foods in this case is lemon. “Lemon, contrary to popular belief, is an excellent food to be consumed by people with gastrointestinal problems. It accentuates blood alkalinity and tones the liver. It is a depurative par excellence, detoxifying the organism”, comments Alice Amaral.

In addition, it is also important to avoid certain foods for the recovery of the body’s health. Everything that is processed and industrialized should be excluded, for example, due to excess sodium, additives, dyes and preservatives that irritate the gastric and intestinal mucosa.

“It is necessary to avoid raw and very greasy foods, and always keep hydrated, with water and coconut water, never with juices or isotonic drinks”, adds Mohamad Barakat.

Check out the foods that should be consumed and avoided in case of gastro-intestinal diseases:

best foods

• Coconut Water;
• Banana;
• Potato;
• Carrot;
• Lemon;
• Fruits, vegetables and vegetables in general.

worst foods

• Industrialized biscuits;
• Gluten;
• Sausage;
• Mortadella;
• Nuggets;
• peppers;
• Ham;
• Soft drinks;
• Salami;
• Sausage;
• Box of juice;
• Industrialized seasonings.

7 tips for eating well when you’re sick

“It is important to eat correctly and balanced throughout life, to avoid the emergence of diseases. If this has not happened and the disease has set in, look for a nutrition specialist who can guide you correctly in relation to your nutritional deficiencies and help you in the process of remission of these diseases”, advises nutritionist Alice Amaral.

In addition to the specific help in the diet for each type of illness, some tips can be adopted in most cases for the recovery of the body’s health. Check out:

1. Avoid foods that contain gluten

In general, avoiding gluten-containing foods is a good step towards helping to improve an illness – even if you are not allergic to the component. “Gluten forms a glue in the intestine, preventing nutrients from being properly absorbed and causing a low in the immune system”, explains the doctor.

2. Avoid alcoholic beverages

Alcohol interferes with the immune system and can end up making symptoms worse. Also, it can counteract or react negatively with the medication being taken.

3. Keep yourself well hydrated

This is an important tip both when you are healthy and when you are sick – especially in case of the flu. “Hydration is essential at any stage of life and, when you have the flu, hydration is very important to clean the mucous membranes and drain the secretions”, remembers Dr. Alice.

4. Reconcile food with other healthy habits

Remember that betting all your chips on food is not enough to guarantee your well-being! “Health is a reflection of the maintenance of other factors, together with food. It is necessary to have a healthy lifestyle, with stress control, physical activities and restful sleep”, comments Mohamad Barakat.

5. Do not consume sausages

Embedded foods, such as sausage, are quite harmful to the body. “Sausages contain many additives, preservatives and colorings, including nitrate. The chemistry of these foods is unknown to our digestive system and can do a lot of harm to it, overloading the liver and irritating the gastric mucosa”, warns Alice Amaral.

6. Avoid soft drinks

“There is no single reason that justifies drinking soda. It doesn’t have any nutrients, it’s dehydrating, rich in sugar and sodium”, points out the nutritionist. In addition, soda can cause abdominal discomfort and increase the production of gastric juice, leading to possible gastric diseases.

7. Prioritize organic foods

“When we are fighting some disease risk, the diet should be totally geared towards that, so be aware of organic foods, which are the most beneficial”, reinforces Dr. Barakat.

Tips can contribute a lot to the maintenance and recovery of your body’s health. However, always remember that cases and symptoms are different and vary from individual to individual. Therefore, if you are in doubt, the best thing to do is consult a doctor and investigate your condition separately.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.