Almost nothing can match the discomfort of having a sore throat and a stuffy nose. And it becomes unbearable (even miserable) when it becomes difficult for you to taste your favorite food. But even if you don’t feel like eating, your body needs strength to fight the illness. To combat the symptoms, you should opt for foods with high antibacterial properties. Here’s a list of natural foods you can choose for soothing cold and flu symptoms.

1. Coconut water
It is much more important than usual to stay hydrated when you’re down with the flu or a cold. Hydration is particularly important if you have symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, fever, or profuse sweating, as these can lead to a loss of electrolytes and water. Coconut water is the perfect beverage you can sip on while you are unwell. Apart from being flavorful and refreshing, it has the required electrolytes and glucose and helps rehydrate your body.

2. Hot tea
Consuming hot black tea, oolong tea, green tea, or any other tea for that matter, can be incredibly helpful. You can also inhale steam to get relief from a stuffy and runny nose. To relieve a sore throat, you can add a bit of lemon juice and a spoonful of honey to your cup of tea. If caffeine is not for you, opt for herbal or decaf versions instead.

3. Banana
Doctors often recommend the Banana, Rice, Apples, and Toast (BRAT) diet for people experiencing vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. Bananas can help settle the stomach and can be eaten whole, mashed, or sliced. These are among the top natural foods for soothing cold and flu symptoms.

4. Vitamin C-rich foods
This vitamin is present in high levels in citrus fruits, and it helps boost immunity. It is primarily an antioxidant and quickens recovery from respiratory illnesses. You can get your daily dietary requirement via foods like broccoli, sprouts, red capsicum, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and papaya. Additionally, you can take vitamin C supplements after consulting a doctor to meet your daily requirements.

5. Blueberries
These berries are an abundant source of antioxidants and help treat and prevent cold and cough. Blueberries are rich in flavonoids, which make an individual approximately 33 percent less susceptible to catching a cold than people who do not consume supplements or flavonoid-rich foods on a daily basis.

6. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are great sources of lycopene, an antioxidant that helps keep flu and cold at bay, and tomato soup is the best beverage for vegetarians to relieve cold and flu. Not to mention, this hot beverage is the perfect comfort food when you’re unwell.

7. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is easy to eat and is a good source of minerals, vitamins, and calories that your body needs to fight an illness. This natural food for soothing cold and flu symptoms also stimulates the immune system and ensures balanced blood sugar levels.