Diet For Cold

My baby is suffering from cold ? Can you suggest some natural measures for treating cough and cold in children
(November 7, 2010)

Diet For Cold

A cold is one of the most common afflictions that can be seen in people of all ages, across the globe. Almost all people have suffered from a cold at some time or the other, during their lives. Most cases of a cold are not serious and do not require any form of treatment. However, several people consume a specific diet for cold, in order to reduce the symptoms that are generally associated with the condition. Food and a diet can play a very important role in curing several diseases and conditions, including common colds and coughs.


Unfortunately, when people suffer from a common cold, a cough or a sore throat, it is quite common for them to lose their appetites, for as long as the condition lasts. However, following the right diet and providing the body with the required nutrients is absolutely essential for recovering from a cold at a faster pace. Therefore several health experts recommend following a specific diet for common cold, which can help a person consume light and palatable meals that have a high nutritional value. Given below are some foods that can help reduce the symptoms of a cold and therefore, should be included in a diet for cold:

• Chicken soup: People have been using chicken soup for decades, as a treatment option for cold, fever, cough and other minor ailments. For those who don’t eat chicken, clear vegetable soup and broth can be just as effective.
• Onions: This ingredient helps promote the drainage of mucus, which helps cure a common cold faster. People can either make a poultice out of onion, or can consume onions, in order to relieve the symptoms. For maximum effectiveness, thinly sliced onions should be lightly cooked, with a little bit of curry powder. These cooked onions could be eaten plain, or could be mixed with some plain rice.
• Mushrooms: There are several varieties of oriental mushrooms, like reishi, maitake and shitake that contain compounds, which can boost the immune system to help fight off the cold. Moreover, mushrooms can be added to most recipes, to enhance their flavor.
• Grapefruit: The levels of Vitamin C are very high in grapefruit making them an excellent form of nutrition for cold and other sinus related problems. This fruit can also be effective in detoxifying the liver. Most doctors and health experts recommend the consumption of at least one grapefruit, with the bitter white pulp on a daily basis. Hence grapefruit is an important part of a diet for colds, since it prevents the condition and boosts immunity.

The ideal diet for cold should also consist of a lot of fluids that can help flush out the toxin from the body. This includes the high consumption of water, preferably warm water, herbal tea, soup and fresh juices. Contrary to the common belief, orange juice can be quite effective against colds as well as coughs and sore throats, because it is very high in Vitamin C, which can boost the immunity system, allowing it to fight off the cold-causing germs. However, it is best to dilute orange juice in an equal part of warm water, so that it can relieve a sore throat. Because of this, orange juice can also be included in a diet for cough. There are certain foods that should be avoided, when a person suffers from a cold. These include drinks, which have diuretic properties like tea and coffee, milk, dairy products, alcohol, red meat, sweets and pastries, to name a few.

Although a balanced diet for cold and cough are relatively safe and can be followed by most people, it is best to consult a doctor, before switching over to any diet.