Experiencing Covid or a sore throat can understandably lead some people to seek comfort in food – but it’s important to be wary of your choices, as one expert has warned
When you’re feeling under the weather with Covid, reaching for comfort foods like chocolate or cheese and crackers might seem like a small consolation. However, one expert has issued a warning that these treats could actually exacerbate your symptoms, emphasising the importance of maintaining discipline even when unwell.
Dr Gareth Nye, lecturer in Biomedical Science at the University of Salford, previously told the Mirror about the food items to steer clear of for a speedier recovery from throat discomfort. Anything ‘dry or hard’ like biscuits and crunchy cereals are a definite no-go – but that’s only scratching the surface.
“Any food which is dry or hard to swallow – biscuits, crackers are good examples,” he said at the time. “In addition, fizzy drinks or spicy foods can aggravate the throat membrane making it hurt more. Some people find dairy [including chocolate] can make a sore throat worse as it coats the throat allowing mucus to build up leading to more frequent coughing episodes.
“The coughing ultimately leads to increased damage to the throat and an increased discomfort.” Dr Nye’s advice comes as more than 100 deaths per week are caused by Covid in the UK, according to recent UK Health Security Agency data.
The symptoms of this illness are strikingly similar to those of other diseases, but usually include a persistent cough, sore throat, and loss of smell and taste, among others. Beyond avoiding irritants, NHS Guys’ and St Thomas’ asserts that diet can play a significant part in your Covid recovery and meals should include ‘a variety of vitamins, minerals, protein, energy, fibre, and fluid’.
Its guidance encourages patients to structure their meals around five key food groups:
- Starchy carbohydrates
- Fruit and vegetables
- Dairy foods and drinks
- Hydration (water is best – at least six to eight cups per day)
- Protein
The health body further adds: “To keep fit, it is important to eat well and be a healthy weight. This can help you to fight infection and recover from illness. Conditions linked with being overweight (such as type 2 diabetes or heart disease) can make you more likely to become seriously ill with COVID-19. They can also make it harder to recover.
“If you are very overweight and want to lose weight, it is best not to do this while you recover from an illness. Wait until you have recovered fully.”
NHS’ full list of potential Covid symptoms
- High temperature or shivering – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
- Exhaustion or tiredness
- Diarrhoea
- Body aches
- Headaches
- Lack of hunger
- New, continuous cough (coughing for more than an hour, or more than three coughing episodes in a day)
- Blocked or runny nose
- Nausea and vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
- Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
If you’re suffering from Covid, you should stay home and avoid interacting with other people in person. The NHS suggests that you can return to work or your usual activities once you’ve recovered and no longer have a high temperature.
Most people recover within a week, though symptoms can persist for longer in some cases.