what to feed people with the flu

Full Answer

What can you eat when you have the stomach flu?

Some options are:

• water
• broth
• decaffeinated teas
• clear fruit juices, such as apple, cranberry, and grape juice
• sports drinks
• coconut water
• oral rehydration solutions, such as Pedialyte

Can I eat oatmeal when I have the flu?

Oatmeal is a good source of fiber that may help with digestive issues that cause an upset stomach. Digestive discomfort can arise from a number of issues, such as stomach flu, indigestion or food intolerance. Often a warm, creamy bowl of oatmeal for upset stomach is the perfect remedy to make you feel better.

What happens when we get stomach flu?

• Also known as gastroenteritis or infectious diarrhea
• Gastrointestinal infection that can be caused by a virus, bacterium, or parasite
• Spreads through person-to-person contact, contaminated food or water, or, in the case of parasites, contact with infected feces
• Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain

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What to eat when you have a stomach virus?

Some good options include:

• Wheaties, 5 grams of sugar per cup
• Original Cheerios, 1 gram of sugar per cup
• Corn Chex, 3.2 grams of sugar per cup

What foods help fight the flu?

Your body uses it to build strength and keep what you already have. Lean meat, poultry, fish, legumes, dairy, eggs, nuts, and seeds are good sources.

What foods help the immune system?

Minerals like selenium and zinc also keep your immune system going strong. These minerals are found in protein -rich foods like beans, nuts, meat, and poultry.

What Other Nutrients Fight Infection?

You’ll find this powerful antioxidant in the red, pulpy area of a watermelon near the rind. It’s also in kale, collard greens, broccoli, and cabbage.

How to get rid of a swollen throat?

Warm decaf tea with honey can coat and soothe your throat. Warm drinks are better than cold ones for opening congested airways. Bland foods -- like toast, rice, bananas, and applesauce -- are good. Experts say you can go back to a normal diet within 24 hours if you feel like it.

How to keep your tummy from getting upset?

If your tummy is upset or if you have diarrhea, stick with bland foods. Sip clear drinks to keep your fluids up. You can try chipped ice, juices, sports drinks , ginger ale , clear broths , gelatin, and ice pops. Start with small amounts, like 4 to 8 ounces at a time for adults and 1 ounce or less at a time for children.

Can you eat dairy if you are hungry?

Any food or beverage is fine if you're hungry or thirsty. Dairy products make some people produce more mucus. If this happens to you, avoid dairy for a few days. They may also make nausea and vomiting worse.

Do Flavonoids Help?

Flavonoids include about 4,000 compounds that are responsible for the colors of fruits and flowers. Research shows that flavonoids found in the soft white skin of citrus fruits -- like grapefruit, oranges, lemons, and limes -- may boost your immune system. Many other fruits have anti-inflammatory properties, too.

What is the best diet for a sick person?

You may remember Mom’s long-ago advice that when you’re sick, you should follow the BRAT Diet, which stands for bananas, (white) rice, apples and toast – low-fiber foods that will soothe your stomach.

How to beat the flu?

A healthy diet can boost your immune system. The misery of the flu will have anyone scrounging the internet for home remedies. Maybe some chicken soup and hot tea are just what you need to beat the virus into submission.

What to do when you're sick and can't stand salad?

If you can’t stand the idea of scarfing a salad while sick, add a leafy green to your chicken soup or other cozy stew to reap the benefits in a slightly more flu-friendly form.

What are the three foods that are associated with the immune system?

Ginger, cayenne and turmeric are associated with a number of cozy, comforting foods, too, and each has various health properties. “Among a variety of different cultures, they’re a big part of our immune repertoire,” Dr. Vyas says.

What are some good foods to eat to reduce bloating?

Processed meats like hot dogs and bacon. Red meat. Sugar and desserts. Processed, fried and fast foods. White or refined breads and grains. It might seem overwhelming to make big changes to your diet, but you don’t have to overhaul everything right away. Start making changes in your diet gradually.

How to help your immune system?

Follow an anti-inflammatory diet. The typical American diet is full of foods that produce inflammation. And when the body has too much inflammation, the immune system struggles. Lower inflammation and help your immune system by changing the type of fats you eat. Advertising Policy.

What is the Mediterranean diet?

“I’m a big fan of the Mediterranean diet,” says Dr. Calabrese. “It’s a great diet for immune health.”. Advertising Policy. The Mediterranean diet refers to traditional eating patterns of people who live near the Mediterranean Sea.

How to keep the flu from spreading?

Avoiding contact with other people can help keep the flu from spreading.

What is the best vitamin for the immune system?

Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C help support the immune system. Those with the highest levels of vitamin C include:

Why are leafy greens good for you?

Leafy green vegetables may also have antibacterial properties and anti-inflammatory effects. As a result, eating leafy greens may help the body heal from the flu. Leafy greens can be an easy addition to soups or stews.

What is the term for an infection with an influenza virus?

The flu is a collective term that refers to infection with an influenza virus.

Why is soup good for you?

Soups can be nutritious, easy to digest, soothing, and easy to prepare, even during illnesses. Also, because they contain water, soups can promote hydration.

What is the best drink to help with nausea?

Hot water with honey, lemon, and ginger: The ginger in this soothing drink may reduce nausea.

What are some substitutes for live bacteria?

Other fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, kombucha, and plant-based yogurts, are excellent substitutes that also contain live bacteria.

What foods can help with nausea and vomiting?

Bland foods can help treat symptoms of nausea and vomiting that can occur with the flu. Bland foods are soft, low in fiber, and not spicy. These foods are easily digested and well-tolerated while still providing your body with necessary carbohydrates for energy. Examples include:

How to get your immune system to work?

Eating the right foods and avoiding things like alcohol and added sugars may help you feel better sooner and may support your immune system.

Does broth help with the flu?

Broth has many benefits for people with the flu. It helps keep you hydrated and warm broth can also help soothe a sore throat and relieve congestion.

Is it bad to drink fluids with the flu?

Dehydration is common while having the flu and can be dangerous if not treated. Drinking enough fluids can help improve symptoms of congestion by releasing mucus from your nose, especially when the fluids are warm. It’s important to start drinking plenty of fluids at the first signs and symptoms of illness.

What to eat when recovering from the flu?

Since you may not feel up to making and eating a salad while you recover from the flu, try a glass of low-sodium vegetable juice instead. You'll load up on antioxidants that boost the immune system, your body's defense against germs.

What is the best food to eat when you have a stomach problem?

Toast or crackers are convenient foods when you're fighting illness. They pair well with chicken noodle soup, and their satisfying crunch can take the edge off hunger when your stomach can’t handle much.

How to get rid of a stuffy nose?

Drink green, oolong, and black tea to take in some antioxidants. Breathe in the steam to help clear your stuffy nose. Add a spoonful of honey and a squeeze of lemon to soothe your sore throat. If caffeine bothers you, try decaf or herbal versions instead.

What are some good ways to soothe a sore throat?

Ice Pops. They can soothe your throat when it's sore, swollen, or dry. They also keep you hydrated, which is key when you fight the flu. Getting enough fluids keeps your mucus thin and eases congestion. Look for ice pops made from 100% fruit juice to make sure you get nutrients and not sugar water. You can also make your own frozen juice bars.

Does chicken soup help with nose?

Chicken Soup. It helps you get the fluids you need and it's nourishing, too. Some scientific evidence suggests that it may help with healing. Hot chicken soup may also improve the way tiny hair-like parts in the passages of your nose protect your body from bacteria and viruses, but more research is needed. 5 / 11.

Is turkey sandwich healthy?

Turkey Sandwich. It has lean protein, a key part of a healthy diet. And although you may not feel like it, eating helps give your body energy to fight illness. Add cranberry sauce for a spike of flavor and comfort-food taste. 3 / 11.

Can you add ginger ale to food?

Some studies suggest it fights inflammation, too. You can add it to other foods, either freshly grated or as a powder. Another option: Have a drink of flat ginger ale. 7 / 11.

What to eat when you have the stomach flu?

Remember this acronym when recovering from a bout of stomach flu: BRAT: banana, rice, applesauce, toast. Plain pasta noodles and plain potatoes are excellent options as well. These are very easy to digest foods that will provide you with some electrolytes like potassium, easy to digest carbohydrates and a small amount of protein. Avoid foods that are spicy, fatty, fibrous (such as raw vegetables, coarse grains and meats), and avoid dairy products.”

What fruit should I eat to avoid the flu?

Thus, Dr. Oz recommends water-heavy fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe or any other melon. “Any GI distress or fever is going to cause dehydration. Melons are also a good source of vitamin C,” he says.

What are some good foods to eat to get zinc?

8. Trail mix: Nuts and seeds are high in zinc, especially cashews, walnuts, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds. “I like the idea of mixing those three together and eating them like a trail mix,” Crupain says. You can also sprinkle them into oatmeal or add a handful to yogurt.

What is the best medicine for nausea?

18. Ginger: This, says wellness/nutrition expert Dr. Olivia Audrey, helps with nausea as well as powerful phytochemicals that reduce inflammation. Rebecca Shenkman, director of the MacDonald Center for Obesity Prevention and Education at Villanova University says to “try putting a few slices of raw ginger root in boiling water if you experience nausea or vomiting when you have the flu.”

What fruits have anthocyanins?

5. Blueberries: These, per Ascher, who adds that elderberry extract also falls into this category, are high in anthocyanins. “Not only does this give these fruits a shiny blue tint, but also hold antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immune boosting potential.”

Does garlic help with flu?

Thus, it can help you to heal from the flu and the bad breath it gives off will also prevent people from wanting to get too close and catch what you have. “Many cultures make tea with raw garlic at the first signs of flu,” says Ascher. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.

Can you eat when you have the flu?

But loading up on certain nutrients while battling the flu is essential. Here are 25 foods to eat when you have the flu.

What foods help you recover from the flu?

It’s rich in protein and vitamin B too, which may also help you recover fully from the flu. Other good sources of zinc are oysters and shrimp, although shellfish may not be as appetizing—or as easy to get—when you’re home sick. RELATED: 8 Hearty Beef Stews.

What to drink when you have the flu?

Electrolyte beverages. “Staying hydrated is the most important thing when you have the flu, especially if you’re running a fever and sweating, or you’re having trouble keeping food down,” says Denver-based nutritionist Jessica Crandall, RDN, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

What to eat when sick?

Beef. Beef stew with carro ts in blue bowl. Credit: OlgaMiltsova/Getty Images. Another nutrient you want to get plenty of while you’re sick is zinc: Studies show that the mineral helps fight infection by regulating the immune system and that taking zinc supplements may reduce the duration of the common cold.

What to do when you have the flu?

Making sure you’re drinking water is the simplest solution, she says, but adding an electrolyte-rich sports drink or coconut water to your rotation can help guarantee you’re rep lenishing sodium and potass ium as well as fluids.

Does orange juice help with colds?

You can also drink your antioxidants: Orange juice is a good source of vitamin C, which some studies suggest may help lessen the duration of colds and flu. But taking in too much might actually make you feel worse: “Your body can only absorb so much vitamin C at once, and if you have too much it can cause gastrointestinal issues,” says Crandall.

Does ginger help with nausea?

Foods or drinks made with ginger may also relieve stomach problems associated with the flu, says Zelig. Research suggests the root is anti-inflammatory and is effective against nausea —although most studies have involved motion sickness or pregnancy, not the flu.

How do you get the flu?

by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Less often a person might also get flu by touching a

How to avoid germs?

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

Can you recover from the flu at home?

Most people have been able to recover at home from flu without needing medical care. However, the flu can be more serious for some people.

Does the flu like symptoms return?

Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Is the flu a contagious illness?

Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness

Should people with flu-like illness stay at home?

People with flu-like illness should stay at home

Is the flu serious?

The flu can be serious for some Know the symptoms

What is the best food to eat when you're sick?

Oatmeal. Like bananas, oatmeal is bland and easy to eat but also provides calories, vitamins, and minerals you need when you’re sick. One study in rats found that beta-glucan, a type of fiber in oats, helped decrease inflammation in the gut.

What is the best drink to drink when you're sick?

Coconut water is an ideal beverage to sip on when you’re sick. It’s rich in electrolytes, which need to be replenished along with fluids when you’re vomiting, sweating, having diarrhea, or running a fever ( 11#N#Trusted Source#N#).

How to use fresh ginger?

Use fresh ginger in cooking, brew some ginger tea, or pick up some ginger ale from the store to get these benefits. Just make sure that whatever you’re using contains real ginger or ginger extract, not just ginger flavor. 8. Spicy foods.

What is the best medicine for colds?

Tea is a favorite remedy for many symptoms associated with colds and the flu.

What is the best vitamin for the immune system?

Many fruits are rich in vitamin C , an antioxidant vitamin that helps the immune system function properly ( 43 ).

How to recover from a sick person?

Resting, staying hydrated, and getting proper nutrition are some of the most important things you can do to feel better and recover faster when sick. Fortunately, many foods have benefits that go beyond providing your body with nutrients.

Is ginger good for nausea?

Ginger is widely used in food, in herbal medicine, and as a home reme dy, and it’s probably best known for its anti-nausea effects. It’s been shown to effectively relieve nausea related to pregnancy and cancer treatment ( 26#N#Trusted Source#N#, 27#N#Trusted Source#N#, 28#N#Trusted Source#N#).