flu

Eating through the Flu

Many of us lead active lifestyles where we unconsciously fall into bad habits which include eating high fat and high sugar junk food. We also tend to skip meals and drink far too much caffeine containing liquids. This means that we become much more susceptible to minor illnesses such as the flu and colds.

If you make the decision to change your daily diet by eating lots of whole grains and pulses plus fruit vegetables and low fat protein then you go a long way to helping to keep your immune system in good working order and you give yourself a fighting chance to ward off any flu viruses that come your way.

During the worst phase of the flu you’ll probably find your appetite is minimal to non existent. But there will thankfully come a time when you feel ready to make that transition from liquids to solid food.

Eat lightly and eat wisely. For some people, when ready to make that transition to eating normally again they should make sure they choose foods that are fairly bland and starchy. Dry toast is good so are banana’s, stewed apple, boiled rice, rice pudding, baked potatoes, and yoghurt etc.

Garlic- Garlic contains a flavouring agent called alliin which acts as a natural decongestant. Garlic is also thought to act as an antioxidant which means it has an ability to destroy free radicals. Free radicals are active oxygen molecules that damage at the cellular level so using garlic liberally means you can protect against this.

Chicken soup
Chicken soup is the answer to many people dilemma of the best food to feed people who have a suppressed appetite. Known as nature’s penicillin, there are those who believe strongly in its curative powers. It’s a nourishing broth that will aid in the recovery of your energy especially if you include lots of vegetables.

Taking Vitamin C is an excellent way of helping to restore you back to health. Make sure your foods include Potatoes, green peppers, strawberries, and pineapple (all excellent sources). Eating citrus fruits are a good way of getting vitamin C into your system. Try drinking orange and grapefruit juice and taking a vitamin c supplement.

Fluids- It’s very important that you stay hydrated when you have the flu, don’t drink fizzy or sweetened drinks, also try and avoid drinks containing caffeine.

Many people like a hot beverage, so this is something you could consider. This could include herbal tea such as chamomile and peppermint. Even a cup of hot water containing lemon can be very refreshing. 

Tags: eating through flu, garlic, vitamin c

Telling the Difference Between the Cold and the Flu

It can be difficult even for a doctor to tell the difference sometimes between a cold and the flu until the doctor examines the individual. The cold and the flu share similar symptoms. There are differences though and if you are aware of these differences you can tell the cold and the flu apart.

It is rare for a person with a cold to have a fever. When a person has the flu they can have a fever that can be from 100°F to 102°F or higher especially in children. People who have a cold do not usually have a headache but they do have headaches when they have the flu. You may feel a little achy with a cold but with the flu you often have severe aches and pains. You may feel tired when you have the cold especially if the coughing keeps you up at night but when you have the flu you have an extreme fatigue and weakness that can last from two weeks to 3 weeks and longer if you are elderly. In fact those individuals with the flu can feel like they are suffering from exhaustion when they first get the flu.

When you have a cold you always have a stuffy, runny nose and sometimes with the flu you may also have the same symptom. You may even sneeze with the flu in fact that is one way that the flu virus is passed from one person to another is by sneezing and coughing and not covering your nose and mouth. When you have a cold you always cough and sneeze. When you have a cold it is common to have mild to moderate chest congestion and discomfort because of the cough but with the flu the chest congestion can turn into something severe such as bacterial pneumonia.

Treating the cold and flu can also be similar. When you have a cold you often stay in bed for the first day or at least sleep in longer than usual. Resting is one way you can help your body to heal when it is sick. When you have a cold you suffer from mucus production and drinking fluids is a very good thing to help thin them out and make breathing easier. Your doctor may recommend antihistamines, decongestants, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications to help treat your cold symptoms. To feel better when you have the flu your doctor will tell you to get lots of rest, in fact you may be in bed for several days when you have the flu due to the weakness and extreme fatigue most people feel when they have the flu. Drinking lot of liquids especially hot liquids can make you feel a lot better when you have the flu. It can also help to avoid dehydration especially if you have vomiting or diahhrea. Your doctor may advise you to take antihistamines, decongestants for your stuffy or runny nose and acetaminophen for your aches and pains. Antiviral medications can be given in the first 48 hours of getting the flu to shorten the time you have the flu and to lessen the affects of the flu.

The best way to prevent the cold and the flu is to wash your hands frequently especially before eating. It is best to avoid contact with anyone who is coughing or sneezing, who has a cold or flu. You can get yearly flu vaccinations to help prevent the flu or to lessen the affects of the flu. 

Tags: difference between cold and flu, flu