Coughing is a common symptom of a cold. It can be very uncomfortable when you have a cough, and eating certain foods can worsen the symptoms. So what should you avoid eating when you have a cough? There are different types of coughs, and if you have a dry cough, what should you eat to get relief quickly? Pregnant women, whose bodies are generally weaker, are more prone to coughs and colds. So what should pregnant women do when they have a cough?
What not to eat when you have a cough
1. Cold drinks or frozen beverages
In traditional Chinese medicine, when the body is exposed to cold, it can harm the lungs, and many coughs are caused by lung diseases. If you consume cold drinks during a cough, it can worsen the symptoms and even lead to lung obstruction, making the symptoms worse and taking a long time to recover. The amount of phlegm when coughing is closely related to the spleen, and consuming cold foods can weaken the function of the spleen and stomach.
Even for healthy children, consuming a large amount of cold drinks is not advisable. Cold drinks are often high in fat and difficult to digest, which can also reduce appetite. Eating too much ice cream can make overweight children even fatter and underweight children even skinnier.
2. Fried foods
In traditional Chinese medicine, coughs are often caused by lung heat, especially in children. Consuming fatty, sweet, and heavy foods in daily diet can generate internal heat and worsen coughs. Additionally, it is not advisable to eat fried foods. Fried foods can increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract, produce phlegm, and hinder the recovery of coughs.
Furthermore, fried foods are not easily digestible and can cause bloating in children's stomachs, which affects their interest in consuming other foods and their appetite.
3. Fishy foods
When you have a cough, it is best to avoid eating fish, as the fishy smell can irritate the respiratory tract. This is especially important for individuals who are allergic to fish and shellfish proteins. Among fish, white crucian carp and hairtail have a greater impact on coughing. Many people are aware that they should not eat fish when they have a cough.
The symptoms of wind-heat cough in children primarily include: fever with aversion to wind, cough with rapid breathing, abundant and viscous or yellow phlegm, thirsty with red throat, thin white or yellow tongue coating, floating and rapid pulse, and purple congestion in fingerprints.
4. Sweet and sour foods
Sour foods can constrict phlegm, making it difficult to cough up, and thus prolonging the recovery of coughs. Eating too many sweets can hinder inflammation from healing.
What to eat for quick relief of dry coughs
1. Sugar-boiled eggs
Ingredients: 1 egg, peanut oil, and sugar as needed.
Instructions: Boil half a teacup of water, add 1-2 tablespoons of cooking oil (preferably peanut oil), and then add an appropriate amount of sugar. Break an egg and add it to the teacup. Boil until cooked.
Usage: Drink it while hot, once in the morning and once before bed, for three to five days.
