Let me start by saying that I never get sick. For real. I get sick maybe once a year and it usually lasts a day. Well, apparently today is that day. I woke up with a super sore throat and a near inability to talk.
In the past, I would have immediately had my dad bring me light blue Gatorade, Top Ramen, SpaghettiOs, and Orange Juice. Seriously. That was my cure for the common cold. Electrolytes, broth, vitamin C, it’s the perfect plan. Except that it’s not and these foods will actually kill you. Maybe that’s an exaggeration, but come on. Don’t be gross.
The only scenario in which dehydrated peas and a packet of maltodextrin is at all acceptable is your freshmen year of college where ramen is likely better than whatever the dining hall is offering.
Orange juice is a rare treat that should only be paired with champagne. And ideally, you juice the oranges yourself. If you haven’t read the ingredients on the back of your beloved Tropicana, you should. Here’s a teaser: maltodextrin.
I’m not even gonna comment on why SpaghettiOs aren’t the ideal healing food because #1 they’re not food (just because something is edible, doesn’t mean it’s food) and #2 I think we can all agree that Chef Boyardee is way better. I kid. That’s poison too.
Lastly, anything that doesn’t have a named flavor and is referred to by its color is likely not food e.g. Gatorade, jelly beans, Skittles, Starburst, etc.
Here’s what I’m actually doing today to heal my body:
- Water. This should be obvious. Everyone tells you to stay hydrated when you’re sick and they’re all right. Drink more water that you think is possible, then drink some more.
- Tea. More hydration! Because if you aren’t always about to pee your pants, you’re doing something wrong. Drink whatever sounds good to you, just make sure there’s no funny business in there.
- Caffeine (maybe). The last thing I want when I’m sick is coffee. But here’s the thing. I’m not a person until I have some sort of caffeine. Even going one day without caffeine results in a pounding headache right before bedtime. It’s awesome. If you’re like me, drink some caffeinated tea!
- Bone broth. This is the fourth liquid recommendation in a row. If you haven’t gotten the point by now, I can’t help you. Not only will the warmth of bone broth be incredibly comforting to your stomach and throat, it’s loaded with nutrients. Collagen, gelatin, glycine, and glutamine are all key nutrients in healing your gut and maintaining skin health (including decreased cellulite!) sign me up. I’d love to write an entire post about the benefits of bone broth, but here’s one that I found to be incredibly informative!
- Rest. This is another obvious one, but it’s so necessary. In the modern world, we often forget to slow down and take time for ourselves. Being sick forces you to do just that. So unless you’re getting up to pee or eat, for the love of god, stay in bed.
- Turmeric. It’s not just a trend. Turmeric is legit. Whether you’re having this bomb-ass turmeric chicken curry soup or making a golden latte, get some turmeric in your body. Curcumin is the compound found in turmeric that fights inflammation. I just googled that. But as inflammation is the root of so many diseases, it’s probably best to avoid it.
- Forensic Files. I’m not sure if it’s nostalgia or if the 150+ episodes have as many healing properties as bone broth, but forensic files is where it’s at on sick days. God bless Netflix.
- Soup (and other mushy foods). Soup is the best year-round (yes, even in the summer), but it’s especially beneficial when you’re sick. Soup is easy to make and light on the stomach. If you’re having stomach issues, you’ll likely be able to keep down some soup. You can also put almost anything in a pot with liquid and call it soup. Bonus points if you use bone broth for the base.
- Leafy greens. Contrary to popular belief, there are better sources of vitamin C than orange juice. Kale is one of the best sources of vitamin C and doesn’t have nearly as much sugar as it’s citrus counterpart. Not that the sugar in oranges (actual oranges, not orange juice) is bad for you and I sure do love a good blood orange in February, but kale just has so much more to offer. Vitamin K and the precursor to Vitamin A (beta carotene) are readily available in kale. It’s just the best.
- Heated blankets. If you’ve read any of my posts from my January Whole30, you would know about my obsession with my heated blanket. It’s probably the best gift I’ve ever been given. And when I’m not feeling well, cozying up with my heated blanket, a cup of soup, and some Netflix is the perfect cure. See how I tied it all together there?
I’ve ranted enough for today, but if you have any other tips, please let me know! I’m always looking to learn new ways to cure common ailments. Or rather, prevent them in the first place. Happy healing, everyone! <3