Have you heard of the phrase 'feed the cold'? It means you should eat healthy food to help your body fight a cold, but that does not mean you should eat whatever is available, especially when dealing with a cough. Here, we've listed some of the top foods to avoid during a cough that you must be aware of:
- Dairy Products: Foods to avoid during a cough include products like milk, ice cream and cheese when suffering from a cold or cough. These foods must be avoided as they could cause nasal blockage or runny nose. Dairy products are a must food to avoid when coughing phlegm.
- Caffeine and Alcohol: Highly caffeinated drinks and alcohol dehydrate your body causing lost fluid in mucus production hindering the nasal passage, and especially alcohol deteriorates functions of the immune system leading to prolonged cough.
- Deep-Fried Oily Foods to Avoid During Cough: Fried foods are heavy and difficult to digest, which can exacerbate inflammation and discomfort in your throat. Deep-fried food must be avoided when coughing phlegm, as the high-fat content may increase mucus production and irritate the throat lining, potentially leading to prolonged coughing. The oils used in frying may also irritate your throat, potentially triggering more coughing. Opt for lighter, easily digestible meals during recovery.
- Histamine-Rich Foods: Your body naturally produces histamines to eliminate harmful substances, including allergens. Histamine may trigger increased mucus production, causing a runny or stuffy nose. Some histamine-rich foods to avoid during cough, are avocados, mushrooms, strawberries, dry fruits, alcohol, yoghurt, vinegar and fermented foods.
- Sugary Foods to Avoid When Coughing: Excessive sugar can suppress your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off infections. Sugary foods and beverages can also irritate your throat, leading to more frequent coughing. Try to limit candies, sodas, and desserts while you recover.
- Vegetables to Avoid During Cough: Corn, potatoes, and squash may increase blood sugar levels, which can increase congestion and worsen cough. Starchy vegetables are among those foods to avoid during a cough.
- Histamine-Rich Vegetables to Avoid During Cough: Foods rich in histamine, such as eggplant, tomatoes, and fermented vegetables, can trigger coughing in histamine-intolerant people.
- Citrus Fruits: Some researchers said citrus fruits such as grapefruit, oranges and lemons are sour and can trigger irritation in the throat leading to cough.
- Carbonated Beverages: You must know that soft and carbonated drinks are high in artificial ingredients and added sugars that irritate your throat and cause severe cough. High acidic and carbonated are some of the top foods to avoid when coughing phlegm.
