What should you not eat when you have a cold?

Written by An Yong Peng
Pulmonology
Updated on December 04, 2024
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When you have a cold, you should avoid eating spicy, overly greasy, and cold food. These foods may worsan coughing symptoms and can also irritate the gastrointestinal tract. Generally, they are detrimental to the patient's condition. For a cold, it is recommended to have a light diet and eat some fruit appropriately, as well as drink plenty of plain water. Additionally, patients can consume some protein-rich foods, such as lean meat and eggs. Cold is usually a self-limiting illness and often does not require special treatment. Sometimes, just by making the dietary adjustments mentioned, the patient's condition may gradually improve. However, it is important to note that if the symptoms of the cold are severe, appropriate symptomatic treatment is necessary. Also, a minority of cold patients may develop complications such as pneumonia. Therefore, if cold symptoms persist, it is necessary to seek medical consultation to investigate the cause and receive appropriate management.

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