Written by Loic Cobbina
Flu is a common infection of the respiratory tract. It is caused by a virus so there is no medication for it. The infection will usually go away after a few days. However, if you have been infected with flu, there are 7 easy ways to deal with its symptoms so that the experience will be less painful. Here are 7 foods that will make your flu more bearable.
Fresh juices
If you don’t feel like chewing things like a salad, a vegetable ratatouille or biting into an apple, then you can opt for a freshly made juice. Vegetables and fruit are rich in antioxidants that help boost your immune system. Fruit also contains a lot of water to keep your body hydrated.
Garlic
Garlic is known to help relive from congestion but also has antimicrobial and immune-stimulating properties. Put it in a chicken soup and drink it while it is still hot. This will reduce the inflammation in the respiratory tract. Studies have shown that chicken soup helps in the production of cilia, the tiny hairs found in the nose that filter out bacteria passing through.
Ginger
Ginger has been known for years as a cure for stomachache and nausea. Recent studies also suggest that one can rely on it to deal with different types of inflammation. If you can, drink a ginger ale. An even easier way to consume ginger is to use a small amount of this powdered root into the food that you eat. Preferably, consume the food hot.
Hot Tea
A hot herbal tea can do the trick. Just like fruit juices, tea can offer you enough antioxidants that help fight diseases. By just breathing in the steam coming out of a black or green tea you can be relieved from congestion. You can also choose to add to the tea a spoonful of honey and some lemon juice. This can really help you ease the pain caused by the flu.
Banana
Often when a child has flu, other symptoms like diarrhea, nausea and vomiting also manifest. This is where banana can help. You can eat it sliced, whole or mashed. Whenever a person is recovering from stomach flu, banana is usually the first fruit doctors advise to try.
Popsicles
An icy popsicle is not only useful to hydrate a dry throat but can also help soothe the flu. Look for the ones that are made of 100% fruit juice. Among other flavors try strawberry, apple or grape.
For those who can’t eat
Sometimes the flu comes with such a strong sore throat that you can’t even swallow small chunk of food. Lactose-free drinks with low sugar content and about 6 grams of proteins are one solution. These will ensure that you get the proper amount of nutrients and calories your body will need to fight off the infection.
In most cases you can manage your flu just by relying on the methods discussed in this article. If for any reason you don’t seem to see any improvement, make sure you visit a doctor.