Food: Feeding a Cold

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Feeding a Cold
Thursday, November 02, 2006

When the cold and flu season begins, many of us find ourselves battling the sniffles, coughing, sneezing, hacking, coughing, fever, chills, stuffy nose, and all the other less than pleasant symptoms that go along with the common cold. While we can do many things to prevent getting sick, such as taking our vitamins, getting enough rest, exercising, and washing our hands frequently, there are times when just about everyone succumbs to the common cold. The next time the common cold strikes at your home, there are several food items you should have on hand to comfort yourself or your family member who is feeling ill. But do not wait until the cold comes on; consider having a cabinet, a shelf, or some place in your home to stash away food items for just such an occasion. Following are some ideas about what to put in your cold and flu stash.

1. Chicken soup. While the homemade kind that grandma makes is the best kind of chicken soup to feed a cold, rarely do we feel like cooking when we get sick. Plan to have several cans of chicken soup or chicken noodle soup in your pantry to nurse you or your family member through a cold. Any brand will do, just make sure it is hot when it is served, so it will sooth a sort throat and loosen congestion. If you do happen to have a chance to make chicken soup in advance, consider freezing it. Chicken soup will usually keep up to three months in the freezer.

2. Soda. Not baking soda, but rather, drinking soda. You know, pop, soda pop, fizzy drinks; there are many names for it, but it all means the same thing. A carbonated, often caffeinated, drink that is a wonderful quick pick-me-up, and very tasty. Choose your favorite, whether it is Coke, Pepsi, 7-up, Mountain Dew, Dr. Pepper, or any variation of these, either diet, decaffeinated, or generic. It is important to have soda that the sick person likes, however, or he will not drink it. Although soda does not really cure the person, it will make him feel better temporarily, and it will provide much needed fluids, which are paramount when fighting a cold.

3. Pasta. Pasta is perhaps the number one comfort food besides chocolate cake. Pasta is good for a cold because, like chicken soup, it is served hot. Any variation of pasta will do as long as it is cooked with some sort of meat sauce: lasagna, spaghetti, ziti, macaroni, or penne. The pasta will give the cold sufferer energy to get through the day or evening, and the heat will loosen congestion. A stomach full of pasta will also help the sick person sleep, something that is often hard to do when fighting a stuffy nose or cough that is associated with the common cold.

4. Green vegetables. Yes, salads, broccoli, peas, lima beans, or whatever type of green vegetable suits your fancy. It is important to continue to eat healthy foods when nursing a cold. While comfort food will make a person feel better temporarily, the body is trying to heal itself and the vitamins found in green vegetables will assist in this process. Raw vegetables are best, but if you prefer to cook them, eat them while they are hot!

5. Tea. I actually used to love all sorts of tea, but it has come to be so closely associated with having a cold, that sometimes I find it difficult to drink it when I am healthy! Tea is helpful for the common cold, again, because of the heat. Drinking tea while it is very hot will loosen congestion and soothe a sore throat. Tea has antioxidants that are good for your healing body, and there are a variety of flavors and types to suit anyone's taste. Remember, though, to drink caffeine free tea late in the day so you will not have trouble sleeping.

6. Water. Anyone suffering from a cold or the flu should always drink plenty of water; at least eight glasses each day. Bottled water is especially handy to keep on hand for this.

If you keep these few items on hand in a cupboard or closet, the next time you or one of your loved ones gets a cold, you will be prepared to nurse him, her, or yourself back to health without much work or preparation.

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