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Feeding a Cold

bowl of chicken soupWe've all heard the saying, "Feed a cold and starve a fever," but no one says with what. I have put together a menu from the things that I know are good for colds, together with those I find myself craving in this situation.

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Breakfast:

The only thing that puts me off my normal buttered toast is the sandpaper throat that heralds a cold. Problem is that most reasonably crispy cereals aren't much better, unless they are left to soak in milk until they have the same consistency as wallpaper paste. My solution is an omelette or scrambled egg with chives. It's easy to swallow, nourishing, and the anti-inflammatory effect of the chives can only be good. I don't worry about watching my salt intake when I have a cold, because my body clearly uses lots of it in the results of coughing or blowing my nose.

Suggested drinks - pure orange juice (for vitamin C content), cranberry juice (anti-inflammatory) or Earl Grey tea - the bergamot helps to clear the nasal passages. Chives and cranberry are also good for preventing secondary bacterial infections.

Elevenses:

Ginger cake with Earl Grey tea. Ginger is a traditional treatment for colds or bronchitis, but its strong flavour can irritate a sensitive throat, so ginger cake is a better idea than the neat root. Since pineapple has anti-inflammatory effects, pineapple and ginger cake may be even better.

Lunch:

French Onion soup with strong garlic bread. Assuming that you aren't up to cooking, Baxters does a nice canned French Onion soup. Or maybe potato and leek soup (New Covent Garden chilled soup, if you can get it). Onion, leeks and garlic have similar, but stronger, effects, to those of chives. OK, you won't be nice to be near - but then you weren't looking to be generous with your cold germs anyway. If you have room for a dessert, what about a couple of mandarin oranges or clementines?

Mid-afternoon:

High juice lemonade or lemon barley, hot, cold or with honey, according to taste. Or Rosehip herb tea.

Supper:

What else but chicken soup! Thyme and oregano are both good for colds, so it may be worth adding a little to taste. Noodles and mashed potato are both easy to swallow - or you might have some more garlic bread left. An individual trifle makes an indulgent dessert, easy to swallow, and with milk protein in the custard topping.

Before Bed:

I only ever fancy mulled wine when I have a cold, but then I really enjoy it. Alternatively, a milky drink may help you to sleep, or, if you have a really irritating cough, a herb tea made from oregano, basil and cranberry will taste utterly disgusting, but, in my experience, gave me a solid night's sleep.

If you are prescribed anticoagulants, you should seek your doctor's advice before using garlic, cranberry or ginger.

Source: Personal experience and several herbal websites used to double-check facts.

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December 9, 20141 found this helpful
Top Comment

"Feed a cold/starve a fever" is only part of the quote. It's actually, "Feed a cold or starve a fever, if you want to die of either."

 
October 26, 20210 found this helpful

The original phrase, "Feed a cold, and starve a fever," comes from Middle English circa 1500-1600s and starve was 'starfen' which meant to 'die', ergo, Feed a cold, die of a fever. Just thought this might fit into the conversation. :]

 
December 9, 20140 found this helpful

When I feel a cold coming on I take 2 Echinaces capsules plus 2 Vitamin "C" and 2 Zinc. Start this at night and do it again in the morning and this helps drive away a cold.

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Plus peel and cut in half a white onion, yellow is OK to. Put on a plate in your bed room this will collect all those germs. Get at least 6 hours sleep.

 
April 7, 20230 found this helpful

I have done this for years. I place an onion not only in my bedroom but living room or other areas of the house to kill the germs all over the house. This is only good part of the year. If you place on onion and all it does is dehydrate then there are no germs so take it down. Usually fall and spring are the best times. This method really does work.

 

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October 31, 20210 found this helpful

plantbasedonabudget.com/.../garlic-ginger-soup is simply fabulous when I feel a cold coming on. Add veg galore, carrots and onions at step 3, sliced fresh spinach, mushrooms and broccoli at step 4.

 
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