Dietary choices play a role in managing COVID-19 symptoms and supporting recovery. Certain foods and beverages can either alleviate discomfort or exacerbate symptoms and potentially impede the healing process. Easily digestible, nutrient-dense options can support the body’s needs, while other choices might create additional challenges.
Foods That May Worsen Common COVID-19 Symptoms
When experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, some foods can irritate the body. Spicy or acidic foods, such as hot sauces, chili powder, citrus fruits, or tomato-based products, can aggravate a sore throat, making swallowing more painful. These items can also upset a sensitive stomach, potentially worsening nausea or heartburn.
Greasy, fried, or overly fatty foods, including many fast-food items, can contribute to gastrointestinal discomfort. These foods are harder to digest and may lead to increased nausea, indigestion, or diarrhea, which are common digestive symptoms associated with COVID-19. Lighter, simpler meals can help reduce this burden on the digestive system.
Foods that are hard to chew or dry can also cause significant discomfort, particularly with a sore throat. Items like dry toast, crackers, tough meats, or crunchy snacks such as chips and pretzels can be difficult and painful to swallow. Such foods might scratch the throat as they go down, increasing irritation and coughing. Softer, easier-to-swallow alternatives are better choices during this time.
Foods That Could Hinder Recovery
Certain foods can prolong recovery by promoting inflammation or offering limited nutritional support. Highly processed foods, including packaged snacks, sugary cereals, and fast food, often lack essential nutrients and are high in unhealthy fats, sugar, and sodium. These foods can disrupt the gut microbiome and trigger inflammatory responses, which might tax the immune system during recovery.
Excessive added sugars, found in candies, pastries, and many processed goods, contribute to inflammation. High sugar intake can lead to elevated blood sugar levels, which may impair immune function and slow down recovery from viral infections. This inflammatory state can hinder healing.
Unhealthy fats, specifically trans fats and excessive saturated fats, are linked to increased inflammation throughout the body. Trans fats, often found in fried foods and some processed items, can induce intestinal inflammation and negatively impact metabolic health. Excessive saturated fat intake from sources like processed meats can promote inflammation, potentially impeding restorative processes.
Beverages to Limit or Avoid
Certain beverages are best limited or avoided during a COVID-19 infection to support recovery and hydration. Alcoholic beverages can dehydrate the body and interfere with the immune system’s ability to fight off the virus. Alcohol can also worsen existing symptoms and potentially interact with medications.
Excessive caffeinated drinks, such as coffee or energy drinks, have diuretic properties that can contribute to fluid loss, especially if experiencing fever or sweating. While moderate caffeine intake may not always lead to dehydration in healthy individuals, maintaining optimal hydration is important when ill.
Sugary sodas and fruit juices with high added sugar content should be limited. These drinks offer empty calories and can contribute to inflammation, similar to sugary foods. High sugar intake from beverages can impact metabolic markers, which can be counterproductive when the body is trying to recover. Water, clear broths, or herbal teas are generally recommended for hydration and symptom relief.