Viral Fever: What Foods To Eat And Avoid To Reduce The Risk Of Illness

Which type of food eat in viral fever? The primary viral illness causes viral fever. The virus is a disease-causing organism like bacteria and parasites. Three different organisms cause infection in the body. There are three types of organisms which cause disease in the body - Virus, Bacteria, Parasites. "Each of this organism's symptoms depends on the organ involved, the organism's load, and an individual’s immunity. Out of these 3 - Viral infection is widespread, mainly Airborne. But some viral diseases, such as dengue fever, can cause a higher fever" states Dr Gaurangi Shah MBBS, MD ( General Medicine & Therapeutics), PGCVR. The types of virus:

• Simple virus- which is transmitted through the respiratory tract
• Complication virus- like HIV or hepatitis B which transmit through blood and body secretions

Does food play an important role in curbing viral fever?

Few foods are the dream foods of a dietician, the best crop, healthy and delicious. They are disease-fighting foods that should be in everyone's kitchen because they contain such a wealth of substances that combat disease. So, place these ten readily available disease-fighting foods on your grocery list today, but bear in mind that having a balanced diet requires more than ten foods. Experts are quick to find out that the spice of life is variety. And hopefully, these nutritious nibbles should replace other less healthy foods, helping you cut calories while improving the diet's nutrition.

Also Read: Healthy Snacks And Desserts For Diabetics, Dates And Coconut Ladoo Recipe

Holistic Nutritionist & founder of Diet Podium, Shikha Mahajan shares the best foods to eat when sick

• Food 1 for Disease Fighting: Berries - Reach for berries for a potent dose of antioxidants that combat disease. According to an In the Department of Agriculture report, blueberries, followed by cranberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries, top the list of antioxidant-rich fruits. 
• Food for Disease Fighting 2: Dairy Foods - Besides being the best food source for dietary calcium, dairy foods often have plenty of protein, vitamins (including vitamin D), and minerals—a key to preventing osteoporosis.
• Food Combating Diseases 3: Oily Fish - In fish like tuna and salmon, omega-3 fatty acids are plentiful, disease-fighting foods that can help lower blood fats and avoid blood clots associated with heart disease.
• Disease Fighting Food 4: Dark, Leafy Greens - This includes everything from kale, dark lettuce and spinach. These are some of the best disease-fighting foods.

• Food 5 for Disease Fighting: Nuts - The nuts are packed with fat. But they are a safe, mono- and polyunsaturated type that can help lower cholesterol levels and help prevent heart disease. Nuts good source of protein, selenium, vitamin E and vitamin A.

• Food 6 for Disease Fighting: Eggs - Their cholesterol content once contributed to the mighty egg being poorly pressed, but the study has covered it. It turns out that saturated fat plays a more significant part in raising our blood cholesterol than cholesterol in food.
• Food 7 for Disease Fighting: Soup - It’s a good source of vitamins, minerals, calories and protein what the body needs in larger quantities. Chicken soup is an excellent source of electrolytes and fluids, helping the patient keep hydrated. It is also a natural decongestant that constrains the action of neutrophils.
• Disease Fighting Food 8: Hot Tea - Drinking hot tea can help relieve many symptoms associated with colds and the flu. Sipping on hot tea throughout the day is a great way to help one stay hydrated while reducing congestion at the same time.
• Food for Disease Fighting 9: Coconut Water - Hydration is essential when the patient has a fever. And coconut water is the perfect beverage for this.

When one has the flu, it may seem like nothing can make one feel better (or worse). Oddly enough, some foods may make the flu symptoms worse – or better – without you even realizing it. The flu often makes eating food difficult, as flu symptoms may cause nausea or stomach signs. Dr Suranjit Chatterjee (Senior Consultant Internal Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital) shares some foods to avoid to reduce the risk of viral fever.

Also Read: Is It Possible To Have Diarrhoea and Constipation Together? Learn About Paradoxical Diarrhoea

AVOID THE FOLLOWING FOODS DURING FLU

• Hard to digest grains: The flu hardly causes the patient to have an upset abdomen, so sticking with meals that are light to digest like refined or simple carbohydrates is recommended. Foods like toast, pretzels and dry saltine crackers are easy on the stomach and are most likely to be tolerated when the patient has the flu. Higher fibre foods are also harder to digest, so it is recommended avoiding them at first.

• Caffeinated drinks and alcohol: Between high temperatures and increased sweating, dehydration is cautious when one has a fever. Caffeine and alcohol can make the symptoms worse (especially stomach-related symptoms), so it is recommended sipping on other clear liquids and water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
• Sugary food or drinks: Vitamin-c rich fruit juices are the best things to drink when the patient is sick, but most of these options aren’t nutritionally dense and inflame the immune system. Again, it is advised to sipping on water and other clear liquids to stay hydrated.

• Greasy foods: It is better to avoid foods that are difficult to break down and hard on the gastrointestinal system. Foods that contain high saturated fat should be avoided, and greasy, fried foods should be limited.
• Fibre-rich food: During fever, avoid eating food like whole wheat grains and cereals. As they take a longer time to digest, the digestive system will get tired of breaking down the food molecules.
• Aerated drinks and junk foods: Beverages can accelerate cold and cough. At the same time, junk foods should be avoided as they are high in cholesterol. 

Other tips for improving the immune system by Dt. Shikha Mahajan

Let's assume you are loading up on all this lovely stuff and you are always getting socked with the virus effects. We might not be able to prevent getting sick by eating well, but if you are not getting enough protein and nutrients, you are going to lack the energy to fight it off." Another practical step you should take is improving your natural immune system with a dense diet in your kitchen while unprocessed foods contain protein, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.

Also Read: Here Are 5 Problems That Can Cause After Eating Too Many Dried Fruits

Nutrition Fighting Flu

Your most vigorous defence against illness is a robust immune system, but most people pay no attention when they see their colleagues coughing and sneezing and, commonly, contaminating any surface around them. We all are at risk of being exposed to bacteria and viruses, whether at work or school, which can then be carried into the home environment. Here's a look at some nutrients for building immunity and the foods that provide them.

MINERALS And VITAMINS

• Vitamin A: Functions to protect against infection, helps preserve the mucosal lining of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. The adaptive immune system is also improved to help protect against infectious viruses and bacteria.
• Food Sources: Pistachio, sunflower or sesame seeds; beans such as pinto or garbanzo; avocados; grains such as amaranth.
• B6 vitamin function: Promotes various biochemical reactions that help combat infection in your body.

Conclusion by Dr Gaurangi Shah: Lastly, medication consumption like Paracetamol reduces muscle, joint inflammation and will speed up the recovery. What most people mistake is by having medicine, they can perform their work. This doesn't seem right it delays the healing.

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