What should you eat when you’re feeling unwell? | YouGov (2024)

FAQs

What should you eat when you’re feeling unwell? | YouGov? ›

Bread-based medicine is more popular with women (27% mention bread, toast or crackers) than men (just 15%). Fruits and vegetables, while certainly being high in vitamins and minerals, are less popular than comfort foods and carbs. Just 4% of Britons would opt for fruit and veg if they're feeling unwell.

Eating fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamin C is a smart move. Vitamin C boosts your immune system, which is how your body naturally fights off infection. If you're feeling nauseous, following the BRAT diet – bananas, rice, apples and toast – may be your preference.

Some fruits and cooked vegetables are easy on an upset stomach. For example, applesauce, bananas, and potatoes provide essential nutrients you may lose if you have diarrhea or vomiting. Applesauce is a source of potassium and vitamin C but has less fiber than an apple with a peel.

Eat regularly

If you cannot manage large meals, have a snack or small meal every 2-3 hours instead. Try foods like cereal, soup, milky pudding, trifle, mousse, stewed fruit and custard, soft cake, milk or yogurt, toast, cheese on crackers, or biscuits and milk. Try to eat the foods that you prefer, little and often.

The BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) Diet is a top choice of doctors for improving digestive function during a stomach illness. Eating certain bland foods can help alleviate symptoms. In addition to serving small portions of applesauce, bananas, rice and toast, you can also try foods such as: Clear broth.

Protein sources such as lean meats, dairy, eggs, and legumes are especially important because they supply the amino acids that your body needs to build the components of your immune system. Choose protein-rich plant sources with heart-healthy fat, such as peanut butter and nuts.

Eggs might not be the first food you think to chow down when you're feeling under the weather, but they may be one of the best foods for a cold. They're loaded with protein, which is an important nutrient to have in your body when you're fighting an illness of any kind, explains Roger E.

What is the best breakfast when sick? ›

Yogurt, oatmeal and other soft foods that are bland and easy to tolerate. Yogurt has probiotics, which help with gut health and prevent diarrhea. Ginger, turmeric and cinnamon. These spices have been shown to have some anti-inflammatory effects, so using these in foods when you aren't feeling well can help.

“Feed a cold, starve a fever” is based on centuries-old beliefs. The body needs energy and hydration when fighting a cold or flu, but don't force yourself to eat if you're not hungry. Drinking nutrient-rich fluids and avoiding certain foods can help with the recovery process.

Harvard Medical School agrees, saying that there's no need to eat more or less than usual if you have a cold or flu. Both institutions stress the importance of fluids. Colds and flu are usually caused by a viral infection, but a fever can happen for many reasons, including: a bacterial infection.

When your body fights an illness it needs energy, so eating healthy food is helpful. Eating can also help the body generate heat—although wearing an extra layer of clothes or slipping into bed can keep you warm, too. There's no need to overeat, however.

Stick to bland foods like crackers, toast, potatoes, noodles, and rice. Try eating very small meals, 6-8 a day. You may be able to tolerate foods that contain a lot of water, like frozen pops, Jell-O, and broth-based soups.

Things that are easy to digest are best. Simple items, like lean turkey or chicken in a simple sandwich, chicken soup, bananas, toast and non-flavored crackers are good options. Ice pops made from 100% fruit are good as well. Not only for nutrition, but again, to help with fluid balance,” Dr.