Can you share your food cures for a terrible cold?

[Denimdenimdenim]

I have a stinking cold. It's the worst one I've had for a long time and showing no signs of easing up.

I have no appetite but DH is running to the shops for me after work and I need to give him a list of things I fancy trying to eat.

What do you make/drink in your household to help speed up recovery?

There are no food cures for cold, but eating chicken soup certainly perks me up.

Nothing speeds up recovery-is there anything you feel you could eat? Have that! For me it would be hot and sour soup with noodles and ice lollies.

Root ginger (lots of it!) steeped in hot water, with lemon and honey. any fruit and veg you can face. Gut positive foods will help to.

Chicken bone broth with ginger, noodles, lime juice, chilli and sugar snap peas or shredded Chinese cabbage.

I agree with @CurlewKate .

But these things for me

Water
Tea
Sparkling water
Apple juice
Candy
Fruit
Soup

I hope you will feel better soon, OP!

Thanks everyone 🙂

I had a smoothie this morning, which is the most substance I've had all week.

I'm going to stock up on some ginger and broths. Noodles sound good.

I needed to see some other ideas because I've had a complete block on ideas on what I wanted to eat.

Chicken bone broth
ginger shots
turmeric in hot milk
garlic
loads of fluids
honey

get well soon. I feel your pain ♥️

Ginger and Lemon in hot water. Really strong salt and vinegar crisps to clear your sinuses.

Since a serious health scare a few years ago, I've been very careful to eat 30 different fruit & veg a week, and have kept it up for several years.

I haven't had a cold since. I haven't caught covid despite having chemo and being clinically vulnerable in the middle of it all.

Even when my teen has a cold, I don't catch it. I'm coming around to the idea the docs may be right and that 90% of one's immune system is in the gut, and the greater variety of fresh fruit & veg you eat, the better.

In the short term, home made veggie soup always makes me feel better instantly. A combination of hydration, warmth and vitamins & trace elements. 😊

This sounds amazing. Can I ask how you incorporate 30 in a week ?

I make this chicken soup for my kids when they are sick https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/roast-chicken-soup

also hot drinks with ginger, pinch of cayenne pepper, lemon and honey.

@ohmygolli Meal plan, then physically go to the supermarket & buy whatever looks good.

This week it has been:
Leeks, Potatoes, Onions
Carrots, Ginger, Garlic, mushrooms
Kale, Broccoli, Sweet peppers, Beetroot
Lettuce, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Radishes
Apples, Pears, Bananas, satsumas
Pineapple, hazel nuts, green lentils
peas & sweetcorn (frozen)
Home bottled blackberries
Porridge oats, swede, parsnips
Kidney beans (dried), Black olives, sprouts

It takes a bit of thought to start with, and in winter some of them have to be frozen or dried, but I can incorporate it all now without my ds looking at me like I'm mad. The salad & fruit tend to go in breakfasts & lunches. The veg in suppers.

@ohmygolli to add to this further, it sounds similar to the concept of 30 different plants a week being more beneficial than 5-a-day. This concept includes many plant derived ingredients and is not restricted to fruits and vegetables - maple syrup, olive oil, turmeric powder, oats... all contribute.

Back to the OP. I agree with PP that a quality chicken stock with extra ginger, turmeric, and black pepper is delicious and nourishing - I would also add in carrots and pasta/noodles. If your interest in food is low because your taste is limited maybe some super hot noodles, like Buldak ramen, could be a good idea. A Thai style curry with rice also appeals to me when I'm under the weather.

All the ideas have been fab, thanks again.

I just done a test and I'm positive for COVID now (sigh).

Hopefully a big feed will do me some good.

@Denimdenimdenim i am too! And suffering so badly with it atm. Nothing seems to work other than warm water salt gargles to soothe the sore throat 😭😭

get well soon x

When I have a cold I like to eat really spicy things to help clear my sinuses so I always have spicy soup, noodles (kimchi Nongshim are my favourite)
, curries or chilli. I also loved pastina made with chicken stock and loads of parmesan and always seem to crave mini cheddars or ready salted crisps and I drink gallons of 7up.

Chicken soup, aka Jewish Penicillin. Also works for non-Jews.

Omg yes, the throat pain this time is insane! Hope you're feeling okay, solidarity with you.

I ended up having chicken soup, tried some kimchi but the spice hurt my throat. Then had a slice of pizza and lots of lemon and ginger tea with gallons of 7up.

Surprised at how well this has helped.

Thanks all

I like a spicy split pea or lentil soup when ill. Veggie packed, nourishing and easy to eat. Dahl also works.

A spoon of (Raw honey) fermented garlic and a shot of fermented root ginger liquid ( ginger bug). Or you can make fire cider from these and keep in the fridge. I swear by using fermented foods to increase overall health, I have been chronically ill for a decade on immunosuppressant injections and I started making and consuming my own fermented sauerkraut/kimchi etc in October and for the first time in 12 years I didn't have pneumonia or shingles over nov/dec/jan.

I have also been doing the "30 a week" and find it easier than 5 a day which really surprised me.

Every day I have Greek yoghurt with frozen mixed berries ( strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries) , and chopped assorted unsalted nuts ( pecan, almond, Brazil sand walnuts) and a tsp raw honey. A sprinkle of flax seed on top. That's 9 right there.

Then for lunch I typically have either street fry veg or home made stew/soup with kimchi or sauerkraut on the side. I put whatever veg is in the fridge into a stir fry and keep home made frozen soup in the freezer. Soups are packed out with sweet potato , spinach, mixed beans etc. I never have less than 4 different toes of veg/beans/pulses for lunch and try to vary them. Twice a week I have koka tomyum noodles with a really big portion of home made kimchi on top.

Dinner could be a curry or bolognaise or fish and chips with please and carrots. . Possibly a mixed omelette. Again, never have less than 4 pulses/veg/beans.

I also make my own sourdough and love it.