If you are experiencing a sore throat, you should eat food that relieves pain and discomfort, like foods with a liquid or mushy consistency. These foods should be at room temperature to aid swallowing and reduce inflammation. Some great options are oatmeal, pumpkin soup, natural juices and mashed potatoes.
To treat throat inflammation, you can also include honey, lemon tea, echinacea tea or ginger tea. These help to reduce inflammation and sore throats, as well as strengthen the immune system to speed up recovery.
It is important to highlight that a sore throat that does not improve within 3 days should be assessed by a doctor, as more specific treatment may be necessary. Bacterial infections, for example, may require antibiotics to eliminate microorganisms causing the sore throat.
Food for a sore throat
To relieve a sore throat, you should eat liquid or pureed foods. Some examples include:
- Porridge
- Pumpkin, carrot, asparagus or celery soup
- Fruit purees, like apple, pear, peaches, bananas, mangos or avocados
- Pasta
- Fruit juices that are not acidic
- Greek yogurt, milk and soft white cheeses (like cottage, ricotta or mozzarella)
- Jello, fruit jellies and honey
- Scrambled eggs
- Ground beef, ground chicken, fish or pulled pork
- Teas, like lemon tea, fenugreek tea, peppermint tea, chamomile tea and echinacea tea (check out other teas for sore throats)
- Vegetable-based drinks, like almond milk, hazelnut milk, oat milk and coconut milk
You can also add onions to your meals, as onions contain an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial substance called allicin.
Is chocolate bad for a sore throat?
Chocolate contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, as well as fats that lubricate the throat, making it a great home remedy for a sore throat.
If your throat and swallowing are very uncomfortable, place a square of chocolate on your tongue and allow it to melt. This will make it easier to swallow
Food to avoid with a sore throat
You should avoid foods that can scratch your throat and increase pain when swallowing. Some examples include toast, cereal, granola, and acidic fruits or juices.
You should also avoid coffee, sauces, spicy foods, pepper and alcohol. See other home remedies for sore throats that you can use to speed-up recovery.
Sample meal plan for a sore throat
The following table outlines a 3-day meal plan that you can follow if you have a sore throat:
The quantities indicated above will vary depending on your age, sex, activity level and general health status. Therefore, you are advised to consult a registered dietitian to ensure your health needs and objectives are met.
