Seasonal illnesses: what to eat when you have flu?

By Cristiano Antonino On Nov 28, 2021

When we have the flu, when we are debilitated by fever, coughs and colds, the last thing we think about is what diet we should follow

The widespread weakness that affects our bodies during the flu also affects our desire to sit down to eat food of any kind.

A spontaneous behaviour, but one that we should try to avoid.

How should we behave, from a dietary point of view, when we have the flu?

Firstly, we should try to eat something, because the immune system needs energy to fight and overcome the flu-like state our organism is in.

Secondly, we must try to consume foods and drinks that are able to combat the illness, which must therefore be digestible and light but at the same time nutritious.

So what are the preferred foods to eat when you have the flu?

The disease sufferer’s diet should include foods rich in vitamins, especially vitamin C and vitamin E, and minerals such as iron and zinc.

Fruit, especially oranges, kiwis and mandarins, and vegetables, especially those of the cabbage and broccoli family, should also be included.

In addition, hot soups based on legumes and cereals, which have a balanced nutritional composition, can be beneficial.

What drinks are good for the flu?

First of all it is necessary to drink lots of water, tea and hot herbal teas to which a little honey can be added, without exaggerating, as well as citrus fruit juices, of course.

Alcohol, on the other hand, should be avoided as it gives an initial but short-lived sensation of warmth, followed immediately by vasoconstriction which worsens the feeling of cold caused by the typical rise in body temperature.

And finally, from the point of view of food, what should be avoided when you have the flu?

First and foremost, it is advisable not to eat foods that are overly processed, fried or rich in fat, in other words all those preparations that make the digestive process more difficult, thus worsening the general malaise that already exists due to the flu.