We all have those days, you know the ones. You just can’t get out of bed, because you have a tummy bug, and you need to visit the bathroom more often than you’d want. We’ve all been there, and we all hate it. If you are feeling a little under the weather, and want some foods and ingredients to include in your next dish to make you feel better, then this is the article for you.
First and foremost, you may not feel like eating but you should. When you’re feeling like you have the flu or a bug, eating is the best thing you can do. Food contains everything we need to fight off infections and viruses. By eating healthily, you’ll be giving your body the fuel it needs to heal. Even if you don’t feel like eating, we guarantee even just a few bites will make you feel even just a bit better.
Note: If you are feeling sick, and think you need medical attention, go seek it. This is more for general ingredients and foods to help you feel better than a definitive list of ailment cures.
Anyway, enough with that. On with the list!
1. Ginger
Perhaps one of the healthiest spices we have available to us. There’s a reason why it’s in so many anti-inflammatory and detox tea recipes, it’s because it’s just so good. It contains a compound called gingerol which benefits our body’s immune system and even helps prevent damage to DNA. It’s great for fighting chronic diseases like heart disease, and high blood pressure levels, as well as just settling our stomach when it’s not feeling very good.
So if you are feeling under the weather, shave off about a teaspoon’s worth of ginger from the root and put it in some hot water, for a simple tea. It’s always the first step in relieving pain in your stomach.
2. Fermented foods
Fermented foods constrain rich amounts of bacteria, known as probiotics. These are what go into your gut and help your immune system fight off the toxins. That’s why fermented food is so great. Natural yoghurt is a great food that’s easy to eat and digest. For drinks, kefir milk and kombucha are also great at settling your tummy and helping your gut.
3. Citrus fruits
Ever had a sore throat, or an upset stomach and you’re given a very sweet and tart honey and lemon tea? Well, there’s a good reason for that. Citrus contains vitamin C which helps to boost your immune system, along with helping the honey do its work in healing your sore throat.
4. Oats
Whole-grain oats are great comfort food that’s tasteless and easy to put down the hatch. They contain vitamin E, antioxidants and fibre. The fibre is great at providing your body with the energy it so dearly needs, as well as helping feed your immune system. That’s right your immune system also needs to be fed. Porridge is a quick and easy-to-make meal, and if you want a little flavour throw in some blueberries or honey.
5. Turmeric
You know that bright orange spice that comes in curry and seems to stain everything in your kitchen yellow? Well, that’s turmeric and it’s rather good for you. It’s similar to ginger in a lot of ways, and it is used in a lot of medicinal recipes. So, if you don’t have any ginger around your house, you can make turmeric tea instead, or just throw a teaspoon of it into a meal.
6. Garlic
If you are feeling up to having a normal and hearty meal, make sure to throw in some garlic. Garlic is great at curing colds and lowering blood and cholesterol levels, as it contains several vitamins and antioxidants. If you are looking to have a good meal, the next item on the list is a great one to throw a clove or two in.
7. Chicken soup
Yep, chicken soup. It’s everyone’s favourite sick food. Well, that’s because if you make a good chicken soup it contains almost everything you need to fight off an illness. Include vegetables like carrots for fibre, fluid for hydration, onions for sulphur to reduce blood pressure, chicken for minerals and protein, and garlic for antioxidants and vitamins. It’s an easy-to-make meal that you can just throw in a bunch of ingredients and spices and let it sit for a while. Chicken soup is a definite meal you shouldn’t skip when wanting to eat something while sick.