With the onset of winter and cold weather, sore throats are common. A sore throat occurs when a person feels pain, itching or irritation in the throat and can have some difficulty swallowing. A report published by Eat This Not That provides tips on which nutrients to avoid to help the body heal faster from a sore throat, as follows:
1. Crunchy snacks
Some foods, such as chips, crackers and cookies, can feel sharp when swallowed and cause more pain and irritation. The jagged edges of these foods can dig into an already sore throat, making it painful. Softer foods are best and help you get better quickly when you have a sore throat.
2. Citrus fruits
Citrus fruits are full of vitamin C, which is great when someone is sick. But if the acidity of fresh fruits such as oranges, lemons and limes increases the tickle in the throat when eating them, it is best to avoid eating them until the sore throat subsides. Citrus juices and ice cream can also be irritating, so you should stop consuming them temporarily. You can also turn to other foods that contain vitamin C, which are softer, such as mashed potatoes or steamed peppers.
3. Acidic foods
Just like citrus fruits, acidic foods like tomato sauce can irritate your throat. They should be avoided temporarily until the pain subsides and the sore throat recovers.
4. Spicy food
Eating spicy foods or with hot sauce added to it irritates the inflamed throat area, which leads to increased inflammation and delayed recovery. Nutritionists advise excluding spices and spicy additives from the diet until the sore throat goes away.
5. Hard raw vegetables
Eating carrots and celery, which are healthful ingredients, can lead to discomfort in the irritated throat area. You can choose to eat cooked or even mashed vegetables when suffering from a sore throat.
6. Baked and fried foods
Fried chicken and onion rings have a crunchy, crunchy coating, but they can be a sore throat irritation. Fried foods can be eaten when you have a sore throat, but remember to remove the rough layers.