A sore throat normally goes away on its own within 7 to 10 days. If you have a stellar immune system or are taking antibiotics prescribed by your doctor, you may notice improvements in just a few days. While a sore throat is around, it’s very important for you to add certain foods to your everyday diet to help minimize the unfavorable symptoms and at the same time strengthen your immune system so that your body may be able to fight off the infection better.
Then there are also foods that you should avoid as they can make a bout of sore throat a real pain in the neck! Keep on reading to know which foods should be eliminated from your diet while you’re trying to nurse a sore throat in order to prevent exacerbation of the pesky symptoms associated with it.
Sour Fruits
It’s true that some of the most vitamin C-packed fruits on the planet are those that taste sour, and that’s why having them added to your diet on a regular basis can help make your immune system strong.
However, it is definitely a good idea for you to momentarily steer clear of sour-tasting fruits while you are suffering from a sore throat. That’s because they are highly acidic — they can definitely make your achy throat ache even more. Pineapples, strawberries, mangoes, oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes — all of these should be avoided.
The good news is there are so many other fruits loaded with vitamin C that are not as acidic as some of the ones mentioned above. You can also obtain such immune-boosting nutrient from many types of vegetables.
Tomatoes
No one can deny that tomatoes are phenomenal sources of vitamin C. But because they are highly acidic, they should be excluded from your diet until your sore throat has not completely healed.
Aside from fresh tomatoes, just about any other food product that contains tomatoes or is tomato-based needs to be crossed out of your meal plan. Definitely, any delectable treat with tomato sauce in it such as sloppy joes, pizza, spaghetti, lasagna and chili con carne should be avoided, too.
Spicy Treats
Speaking of chili con carne, anything that’s spicy can certainly make your sore throat hurt even more. That’s really a bummer as there are tons of spices (curry, black pepper, chili pepper, etc.) out there that are known to bolster the immune system. In the meantime, you should look for other ways to have your immune system strengthened.
Hard or Crunchy Stuff
The presence of a sore throat can quickly make you lose your appetite — well, except for some well-loved snacks. Sadly, eating your favorite treats is a complete no-no, in particular those that are hard or crunchy. Potato chips, popcorn and pretzels can scratch your throat and make the recovery period longer.
Coffee and Alcohol
During a bout of sore throat, it’s a good idea for you to momentarily turn your back on your favorite cup of java. It’s for the fact that it can cause irritation of your throat, thus making the associated symptoms worse.
It’s also a good idea for you to stay away from alcoholic beverages. Aside from inflaming your throat further, they’re also introducing toxins into your system. While your body is trying to fight off an infection, it’s important that you do not consume anything that can cause your immune system to weaken.
Besides, both coffee and alcohol can dehydrate your body, which is something that can keep you from bouncing back so much faster from a sore throat.
WARNING: The pieces of information stated above should not be used as medical advice that only your trusted health care provider can offer.
