The Best Foods to Eat if You Have a Cold  

Having a cold can be an unpleasant experience, but many of us simply consider them a part of life and stick to the bedroom for a day or two. But, there are some things you can do to help yourself feel better and fight a cold besides loading up on over-the-counter medicines.

The next time you get a cold, add these foods to your diet for a few days, and your recovery could be quicker.

Citrus Fruits

Several recent research studies have shown that citrus fruit and its vitamin C content isn’t as good at preventing colds as we once thought, but eating citrus fruits at the very first sign of a cold can help to reduce the duration of your cold by a day or so. If you already enjoy citrus fruits like oranges, tangerines or grapefruits, how hard is it to add more to your diet? Even freshly squeezed orange or grapefruit juice can be very helpful.

Anise Seeds

Anise seeds can be found in cookies and breads, but when you have a cold, your best bet is anise tea. Anise seed contains anethole, a licorice-flavored volatile oil with antibacterial properties. Anise seeds are also high in minerals, including iron, calcium, copper and magnesium. Adding 1 teaspoon of crushed anise seed to 1 cup of very hot water and letting it steep for three to four minutes will make a delicious tea. You can also buy prepackaged anise tea in loose or bagged form. Add honey or lemon to taste and consume while still hot.

Chicken Soup

It’s true what grandma told you. Homemade chicken soup can make you feel better faster. The zinc in chicken may shorten the duration of a cold; the salty broth is hydrating and breathing the steam from a hot bowl of soup may help clear sinuses.

Spicy Foods

As long as your stomach isn’t bothering you, foods rich in spice can help clear up a cold by getting rid of congestion and helping you breathe. Look for foods that contain lots of spice or add simple items like pickled jalapenos, crushed red pepper or cayenne pepper to foods that you regularly cook at home. If your stomach is upset, it’s best to avoid spicy foods and stick to more bland options.

 

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