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When you’re not feeling well, nothing sounds more appealing than going home and taking a nap—for the rest of the day.
Still, you have to eat, and what you put in your mouth now could affect how you feel for the rest of the day.
You probably already know that eating a hot dog isn’t going to sit too well if you’re feeling queasy. But according to CNN, it can also intensify your pesky headache!
Before you get sick, here are all the foods you need to know that may prevent your recovery, depending on your ailment:
You have a sore throat: There truly is no worse feeling than a sore throat. No matter how hungry you may be, the thought of eating sounds like nothing more than pure torture. Fortunately, there are a number of foods that can actually soothe your throat—and some that can make it feel worse:
- Best Foods: When it comes to treating a sore throat, your best bet is always to stick to soft foods. Mashed potatoes, creamy soups, yogurt, and even scrambled eggs are a just a few foods that can help. It’s important to stay hydrated, and warm tea can work wonders on any sore throat. Try a cup of warm peppermint tea—which has analgesic and anesthetic effects—mixed with some Manuka honey, well-known for its healing properties.
- Worst Foods: A good rule of thumb to remember is to avoid anything that even looks like it would scratch your sore throat—potato chips, granola, nuts, etc. Acidic juices from raw fruits and vegetables can also irritate your throat when you’re in pain. It’s important to steer clear of overly hot liquids, no matter how tempting it may seem to burn the pain away.
You have diarrhea: Unless you know you ate something that didn’t agree with you, there are a number of reasons you could be having diarrhea. Whether it’s a virus or food poisoning, you probably shouldn’t worry about short-term diarrhea. If it persists for longer than two weeks, make an appointment with your doctor, as the problem could stem from something deeper, like Crohn’s disease or colitis.
- Best Foods: More often than not, the trick you need to ease diarrhea is simply following the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. Also, stick to mild foods, like boiled potatoes, saltine crackers, oatmeal, and baked chicken.
- Worst Foods: Pretty much all sugar and dairy can cause diarrhea, especially anything containing artificial sweeteners, like sugar-free gum. Other foods that can add to uncomfortable gas and bloating include: onions, apples, cabbage, broccoli, and beans. It’s also important to avoid anything that might dehydrate your body, like alcohol or caffeine.
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You’re constipated: Constipation can make you feel heavy, sluggish, and weighed down. It’s most often caused by a lack of fiber in your diet. If you want to get things moving, try eating about 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day to aid in digestion.
- Best Foods: Try consuming high-fiber foods, like whole grain breads, beans, nuts, oatmeal, prunes, flaxseed, pears, broccoli, and apples. Staying hydrated is extremely important to kick-start digestion, so be sure to drink about six to eight glasses of water every day.
- Worst Foods: Believe it or not, your medications may be the culprit behind your sudden constipation. Most pain relievers and anti-depression medications are known for causing extreme constipation. It’s also important to avoid chocolate, dairy products, and iron supplements.
You’re feeling nauseous: It’s hard to eat anything when you feel like you can’t physically keep anything down, but the right foods can actually help ease your queasiness.
- Best Foods: Bland snacks, like saltine crackers and pretzels, can help you keep something in your stomach without upsetting it. Lemon, peppermint, and ginger can also help your nausea subside, so try drinking a cup of lemon, ginger, or peppermint tea.
- Worst Foods: Anything with a strong odor will instantly upset your stomach. Stay away from greasy, oily, and spicy foods. Carbonated drinks, alcohol, and caffeine can also make your stomach feel queasy.
Which foods always make you feel better when you're sick? Tell us in the comments!
Photo Copyright © 2015 Brent Payne/Flickr
