Health Tips: What to Eat with a Sore Throat
A sore throat causes a burning and painful sensation in your throat that makes it difficult for you to enjoy your normal meals. That’s why many people want to know what to eat with a sore throat. This article talks about the best things to eat when you have a sore throat, as well as the foods you should avoid.
13 Foods to Eat with a Sore Throat
When you have a sore throat, go for foods that are soft and easy to swallow because they won’t exacerbate your sore throat. Their soft texture helps to keep your body nourished without irritating your throat.
You should also try warm foods and drinks because they will soothe your throat. Here are some of the best foods and drinks to take when you have a sore throat.
1. Frozen treats
These include fruit-based sherbet and popsicles, as well as plain ice chips. They will help to soothe your throat.
2. Pomegranate juice
Research has shown that the nutrients in pomegranate juice can help ward off infections and ease inflammation. You should also drink nonacidic juices like grape and apple juice.
3. Bananas
Since they are soft and healthy fruits, bananas will be gentle on your sore throat.
4. Chicken soup
Studies have suggested that a combination of vegetables and chicken soup has anti-inflammatory properties that can help clear your airways, thus reducing your sore throat symptoms.
5. Sage
Sage has been used for centuries to treat different ailments, including a sore throat. Just add a spoonful of dried sage to a glass of hot water and leave it for a few minutes to infuse.
6. Turmeric
This spice is commonly used as a tea or in milk-based herbal mixtures. It’s known to have healing, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, it can help soothe your sore throat.
7. Honey
This is a natural sweetener that can also help to fight infections and promote wound healing. But you shouldn’t give it to children below the age of one year due to the risk of botulism.
8. Ginger
This is a popular spice that comes in different forms, such as tea and powder. It has anti-inflammatory properties that help to soothe sore throats by reducing inflammation and pain.
9. Warm tea
Warm tea will soothe your sore throat and leave you feeling better. Studies have shown that gargling a green tea solution helps to ease sore throats after surgery. Green tea is a safe and natural ingredient with anti-inflammatory properties.
10. Smoothies and yogurts
Smoothies and yogurts are soft, moist foods that you can take through a straw to provide your body with the necessary nutrition for healing while soothing your sore throat. Milk is also very good for you if you have a sore throat.
11. Cooked vegetables
These include carrots, kales, cabbage, potatoes, and other vegetables that offer essential nutrients. If you are taking root vegetables, cook them until they are completely tender and pound them with low-fat milk and turmeric.
12. Scrambled eggs
Your body needs enough protein to repair tissues and heal quickly. Fortunately, eggs are a great source of protein. If you have a sore throat, eat scrambled eggs because they are soft enough not to irritate your throat.
13. Jello
Jello is very soft so it’s easy to swallow. It contains gelatin that provides your body with the much-needed protein. It’s also a great source of energy. Therefore, it’s suitable for people who aren’t taking the required amount of calories. But it should be taken sparingly, especially by people with diabetes, because it’s high in sugar.
6 Foods Not to Eat with a Sore Throat
Certain types of food have been found to exacerbate a sore throat. Eating these foods with a sore throat will only prolong the problem. Here are some of the foods you should avoid when you have a sore throat.
1. Crunchy, solid foods
Avoid foods with sharp edges, such as crackers, dry toasts, nuts, and raw vegetables, because they will make your sore throat more painful.
2. Acidic fruits and juices
Although orange juice is a great source of vitamin C, it’s a citrus juice with a high level of acidity that will worsen your sore throat. It will irritate the already tender surface of your throat.
3. Sour, marinated, and brined foods
Avoid foods prepared with vinegar or salt, including pickles, because they will make the inflammation of your sore throat worse.
4. Tomato sauce
Tomato sauce is highly acidic, which makes it unsuitable for you if you have a sore throat.
5. Irritating spices
Although some spicy foods can help your sore throat, there are others, such as chilies, hot sauces, and nutmeg, that will worsen the inflammation.
6. Alcohol
Alcoholic drinks and mouth sprays will cause a stinging sensation in your sore throat. Their dehydrating nature also makes them unsuitable for anyone with a sore throat.
How to Treat a Sore Throat: 6 Tips
Apart from choosing the right foods, there are important steps you should take to treat your sore throat. Here are some simple remedies you should consider when treating your sore throat.
1. Stay hydrated
A sore throat hurts more when your throat is dry, so stay hydrated all the time. according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), you should keep your sore throat hydrated by drinking enough fluid and sucking on lozenges.
2. Increase air humidity
As mentioned above dryness will worsen your sore throat. This includes staying in a room with dry air. That’s why you should have a humidifier in your house to keep the air moist, especially when you have a sore throat. Moist air will provide you with some relief.
3. Regular gargling
Rinse your sore throat with warm salt water to reduce inflammation. Choose a ratio of salt to water that works best for you.
4. Throat lozenges
Regular use of cough drops and hard candies will provide you with much-needed relief.
5. Stay cool
Avoid very hot foods and drinks when you have a sore throat because they can cause further irritation in your throat. Eat warm or cold foods and drinks to soothe your sore throat.
6. Over-the-Counter sore throat relief medicine
A lot of over-the-counter pain relief medicines, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen can help to relieve symptoms of your sore throat. But don’t give aspirin to children under the age of 18 years to avoid Reye’s syndrome.
While most of these remedies will successfully treat your sore throat, you shouldn’t hesitate to see a doctor if your sore throat lasts more than six days. You should also see a doctor if you experience a fever because it could be a sign of an underlying condition.
A sore throat can be caused by many serious conditions, including herpes, HIV infections, a common cold among others.
