What To Eat When The Throat Is Sore?

To not irritate the mucous membrane of the pharynx, which is more sensitive during a sore throat, you will have to opt for soft foods and increase hydration. When we have a sore throat, the discomfort is so great that we cannot ingest solid food and tolerate minimal liquids. However, hydration and nutrition are vital to react well, even if they can be annoying. If swallowing becomes tricky, what to eat when the throat is sore?

Why Does A Sore Throat Come?

Before moving on to the list of foods that can be eaten when the throat is sore, it would be good to know the leading causes. This disorder affects millions of people every year, especially in the winter. Among the causes:

Bacterial Infections

Bacterial infections can cause pus buildup and inflammation. Specific antibiotics are often required to treat them. Tonsillitis and pharyngitis are two of the most common conditions due to bacteria.

Virus

It is another of the most common causes of a sore throat. Pathologies within this group are diverse. Among these, flu and mononucleosis stand out. Viruses also cause increased mucus, fever, sneezing, and general malaise. All of these symptoms usually appear together.

Allergies

Reaction to an allergen causes throat discomfort when swallowing. It can also lead to breathing difficulties. Antihistamines are drugs used to treat allergies. It is up to the doctor to make the diagnosis and recommend the appropriate treatment.

Irritation

The last cause we list should not be confused with the typical allergies that have to do with the most common allergens, such as pollen or dust. Irritation appears as a reaction to a specific external stimulus, such as cigarette smoke or air conditioning.

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What To Eat When Your Throat Is Sore?

Food choices are pretty limited when we have a sore throat. The feeling is that anything that touches the mucous membrane can increase the discomfort. This even happens with water, tea, or soup (the foods we usually consume the most in these cases). In addition to not missing out on nutritious dishes, pay attention to these tips:

Soft Foods And Small Pieces

1. Choose soft and smooth foods: it is better to opt for menus that include creamy foods to avoid experiencing pain when swallowing. Do not forget that the dish must have many calories because you could eat two or three tablespoons and give up because of the discomfort.
2. Soak food (bread or breakfast cereal) in hot broth or milk. This way, they will pass through the throat faster and generate minor discomfort.
3. Cut your food into small pieces – meat, vegetables, or grains. Everything can be cut very thin, like when preparing a dish for a child.
4. I prefer cooked fruits and vegetables. This is the case, for example, with carrots, celery, or apples whose pieces can scratch the throat quite a bit.

Cold And Lightly Seasoned Food

1. Eat cold foods: ice cream, jelly, or yogurt soothe a sore throat. Contrary to popular belief, while comforting in cold weather, tea or broth does not relieve inflammation – quite the opposite.
2. Avoid very strong or spicy foods: citrus fruits, tomatoes, and dishes with many spices are not good on days when you have a burning throat. They can further irritate and be painful to swallow. Also, avoid sauces and dishes that are too hot.
3. Other foods to avoid are crunchy or rough foods such as french fries, toast, and battered foods, such as dried fruit or whole seeds.

Finally, hydrate yourself more than usual. If you usually drink too little water, now is the time to change your habit. If you usually drink the right amount of fluids, it would be good to increase it. Remember that we need to hydrate ourselves a lot when we are sick, especially if we have had or have a fever.

When The Throat Hurts: Food Does

We’ve already given you some clues about what you can eat when you have a sore throat. But the list is long, allowing us to taste many recipes and preparations, both sweet and savory. The options are endless, although the main ones are:

1. Vegetable broth without rice or pasta or warm soups with finely chopped vegetables.
2. Mashed potatoes, carrots, or zucchini (or mixed). Also creams or cooked and mashed vegetables.
3. A little “overcooked” white rice. Skinny and cooked pasta (preferably fresh rather than dry).
4. Boneless steamed fish (e.g., hake or monkfish). Cooked chicken or chopped boiled meat (avoiding the driest parts such as the breast).
5. Boiled egg or potato omelet.
6. Soft cheeses (e.g., spreadable, cream, or ricotta). Also, pâté (vegetable and non-vegetable).
7. Fruit and vegetable juices and smoothies and cooked fruit. Mixed berries, banana, or watermelon in pieces.
8. Soft or soaked desserts (yogurt, jelly, flan, pudding, ice cream).
9. Cereals soaked in yogurt or milk (milk only if you don’t also have phlegm and mucus).
10. Herbal tea with lemon, honey, ginger, or other flavors.
11. Coffee (in small quantities, even with milk).

Home Remedies To Treat A Sore Throat

To speed up the healing process and soothe the pain caused by passing food, here are some DIY remedies:

1. Gargling with warm water (you can add a little salt) is repeated several times a day. Water moisturizes the sore throat. Be careful not to overdo it to avoid the dryness of the mucous membranes.
2. Candies: they are ideal because they increase the production of saliva. They can be honey, mint, or eucalyptus candies.
3. Honey: is an excellent antiseptic that spoonfuls can consume. It is better to avoid burning when swallowing if it is liquid and lukewarm.

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