A doctor has shone a light on the dos and don’ts of food to eat when you’re suffering from a sore throat. His thoughts come just a month after Brits were warned of a new ‘XEC Covid variant’
If you’re suffering from Covid or just a sore throat, munching on comfort foods like chocolate or cheese and crackers may feel like the only saving grace. But one expert has now warned that certain treats may just make it all worse – so, it’s crucial to stay disciplined even when you’re feeling under the weather.
Dr Gareth Nye, a Senior Lecturer at Chester Medical School (@dr.gareth.nye), told The Mirror that anything ‘dry or hard’ like biscuits and crunchy cereals are big no-nos when it comes to throat pain recovery. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. In an exclusive interview, he explained: “Any food which is dry or hard to swallow – biscuits, crackers are good examples.
“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 a increased discomfort.” Dr Nye’s thoughts come just a month after Brits were warned of a new ‘XEC Covid variant’, with a sore throat, cough, fever and nausea among its most common symptoms, according to US-based scientists.
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Although the UKHSA Deputy Director, Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, previously told the publication that it’s ‘normal and expected for viruses to genetically change over time’, scientists have raised concerns about the number of cases.
If you’re unlucky enough to come down with Covid or a sore throat this winter, Dr Nye recommends turning to liquid foods like soups and smoothies to soothe your symptoms. He continued: “Ideally the easier a food is to eat the better when you have a sore throat. Liquids like soups and smoothies are perfect as they are often packed full of vitamins and minerals your body needs to fight off any infections.
“Often people find cold drinks or ice lollies [or] ice creams can help numb the throat which can alleviate some of the discomfort. Aside from cold desserts or soups, make sure you are eating plenty of fruit and vegetables to boost your vitamin and mineral reserves, eating high protein foods like eggs are also very useful.”
While it may seem obvious, Dr Nye also asserts that a sore throat is your body’s way of saying ‘I’m fighting off an infection’, so it’s crucial to let it do so without interruption. He summarised: “It’s always good to remember the sore throat is because you body is fighting off an infection and you should let it do so without interruption.
“You are always best off managing without medication through rest, plenty of fluids and maintaining a source of nutrients.”
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