If you order a cup ofchicken soupthe moment you so much as sniffle, you’re not alone.
“Sugar causes inflammation and this has been shown to decrease immunity by weakening white blood cells.
These cells are responsible for fighting infection,” she explains.
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Pass on the candy to ensure your disease-fighting cells are working at full capacity.
Strawberries
If you think this superfood is a safe bet when you are sick, think again.
Milk
Milk is another food to stay away from when you’re feeling under the weather.
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Dairy can temporarily thicken mucus, which will cause harmful allergens to stay in your system longer.
Most ice cream is made with full-fat dairy, meaning it is high in inflammation-triggering saturated fat.
Additionally, the sweet stuff has plenty of sugar, another ingredient that has been known to increase inflammation.
“Dairy products may worsen or thicken the phlegm production in certain individuals.
Phlegm is the mucus that lines our tissues and acts as a protective barrier.
However, during a sickness, our body’s mucous production goes into overdrive,” Zamarripa explains.
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“The immune system works most efficiently when the body is well hydrated.
Since the caffeine in coffee is a diuretic, it will make you pee a lot.
Combined with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea, the caffeine will only make dehydration worse,” says Lewis.
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MSG
Pass on the Chinese takeout if your head is throbbing.
Chili Peppers
Turn down the spice factor, at least until you are feeling better.
“It puts more stress on the body and makes it more difficult to recover,” she explains.
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“Grease/fat can cause inflammation, which in turn suppresses your immune system,” Mimkha explains.
Papayas
This tropical fruit is another piece of produce with potent histamine-releasing powers.
Histamine has the ability to make your nasal passages swell, leading to feelings of congestion and stuffiness.
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Avoid slicing up papaya until your sinuses are clear and you feel congestion-free.
Once you feel better, you should definitely re-incorporate bananas into your daily diet.
Read21 Amazing Things That Happen to Your Body When You Eat Bananasto find out why.
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Tomatoes are known histamine releasers, meaning the sauce can cause you to feel even more congested.
The fishy favorite is particularly high in histamines, which can increase inflammation and contribute to sinus congestion.
Wasabi
The reasons why you should avoid this spicy sushi accompaniment are two-fold.
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If your stomach is upset, Kerkenbush advises you steer clear of all hot or pungent foods.
Secondly, as Lewis explains, consuming spicy foods can irritate your nasal passages and increase mucus production.
This inflammatory compound will cause your nose to itch and may worsen cold symptoms, especially runny noses.
French Toast
This brunch-time staple should definitely not become a sick food staple.
In14 Foods That Cause Inflammation, we discussed the damage these fake sweeteners can inflict on your immune system.
Tequila
You might want to rethink those post-work drinks if you’re feeling under the weather.
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Gin
Another reason you should avoid drinking gin and other forms of alcohol?
It will hinder your hydration efforts, according to Alyssa Rothschild, RDN, CDN.
Curious what else you’re free to expect to happen when you quit drinking?
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Take a glimpse atThis is What Happens to Your Body When You Give Up Alcoholto learn more.
Champagne
Save the bubbly celebrations until you’re feeling on your A-game.
Wine
Hold off on cracking open that bottle of red until you’re feeling up to par.
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Wine also contains a natural histamine that can cause your nasal tissues to swell, which will exacerbate stuffiness.
Rum
Hold off on pina coladas and rum punches until you’re feeling 100 percent.
“Too much salt can lead to dehydration during a sickness.
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Additionally, bologna contains nitrites, the same compound found in hotdogs that has been shown to trigger headaches.
Pepperoni
The one way to make pizza an even worse sick food?
Adding pepperoni to it.
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The processed meat is high in headache-causing nitrates as well as excess sodium, which may cause dehydration.
Additionally, pepperoni is high in saturated fat, which will increase inflammation in the body.
The combination of saturated fat and sodium is a double-whammy when it comes to inflammatory responses.
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Many energy drinks are also high in sugar, which can tax the immune system.
Potato chips also have a high sodium content which can contribute to dehydration and worsen cold symptoms.
The sharp pieces can be abrasive and uncomfortable, especially if you are already having trouble swallowing.
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Additionally, many granolas have deceptively high sugar contents, which can lead to inflammation and sinus discomfort.
Doctor Adrienne Youdim recommends avoiding processed foods because they make the body more susceptible to viruses and disease.
Additionally, if your stomach is upset, consuming something greasy is not the way to go.
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“Inflammation soars with sugar-laden foods and beverages.
It actually weakens your white blood cells, which are your body’s infection fighters.
Since your immune system is down, you will stay sicker longer,” she says.
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These raise inflammation levels and severely slow down your recovery,” she concludes.
Play it safe and steer clear of seitan until you’re no longer congested.
The cheese is high in saturated fat and sodium, which can contribute to inflammation and dehydration.
The popular rice accompaniment contains a substantial amount of histamine due to the fermentation involved in its production.
Pineapple
Pineapple is another tropical food you’re best off avoiding until you have fully recovered.
Additionally, pineapple contains ascorbic acid, which may irritate sore or scratchy throats.
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Clams
Pass on the clams until your sinus-related symptoms have improved.
Wheat Germ
A less likely histamine-releasing culprit?
Mahi Mahi
Hold off on the fish tacos!
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Hold off on indulging until you’re feeling better or your sinuses may pay the price.
Herring
Don’t even think about choosing smoked herring to top your next bagel.
Avocado
No guacamole until your sinuses clear!
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Additionally, the high-fat content may be difficult to digest if your stomach is unsettled.
As a result, chowing down on eggplant can make your nasal passages swell and exacerbate feelings of congestion.
Dates
Pass on dates, especially the dried ones, when you are feeling under the weather.
Dried dates have higher levels of histamine due to the preservation process.
Crawfish
This Southern favorite is a serious don’t when it comes to eating for maximum immunity.
As part of the shellfish family, crawfish are also potent histamine liberators.
They have high levels of histamine, which can further irritate your nose and cause more cold-related discomfort.
Hold off on treating yourself until after you have made a full recovery.
Cakes are made with lots of white flour and sugar, making it the worst of the worst.
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Donuts, especially the frosted ones, are high in sugar and refined carbohydrates.
Butter
Step away from the butter stick, especially when you are sick.
Butter is high in saturated fat, which will increase inflammation and hinder your immune system.
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Sugary Cereal
Hold off on the Fruit Loops, Trix, and Captain Crunch.
Crab
Crabs are also a member of the shellfish family and consequently are known histamine liberators.
Lobsters are another example of histamine liberators, which is what you want to avoid when you are sick.
Hold off on the sweet stuff so that you’re free to feel better faster.
Macaroni and Cheese
This shouldn’t come as a shock to you.
Cheese is high in saturated fat and can cause the mucus in your upper respiratory system to thicken.
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Pie
Like most of its dessert counterparts, pie is far from an ideal sick food.
Burger
Another nutritional no-brainer.
If that was not bad enough, many burgers are pan-fried which ups their inflammation-causing fat content.
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Because agave is basically straight-up sugar, you should avoid it until you’re feeling up to par.
“Sugar lowers your immune system’s effectiveness,” Berger says.
Pretzels
Different snack food, same idea.
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Frozen Yogurt
Ice cream’s innocent little sister isn’t really so innocent after all.
“Added sugars sap your energy and suppress the immune system,” says Savage.
Barley
We’re not denying that on an average day, barley is a healthy food choice.
Play it safe and wait to eat this wholesome grain until you are totally recovered.
Don’t worry, not everything is off-limits when you’re bedridden.
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