I've got a cold...now what?
shakespeare444
Posts: 3
I've finally come down with my first cold of the winter season and I'm wondering what to do diet wise. I don't want to use my cold as an excuse to eat anything I want, but I'm not sure how to be sick and still eat well--- any thoughts or advice would be appreciated!!
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Replies
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This is my second cold in a month and I'm freaking sick of it! (pardon the pun :P)
I've been overeating like crazy and it's been stunting my weight loss.
Sadly I have no advice but I can sympathise.
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as far as affecting diet is concerned, if you are eating a healthy amount, ignore the cold.0
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When I'm sick I still stick with my healthy foods. Soups with a broth base are usually my go-to meal and I drink a lot of hot tea. Both help me feel a little bit better and I feel full after eating/drinking. Whatever I choose to eat on those days are still logged so I can hold myself accountable.
Feel better soon!0 -
I too have my 1st cold in 2 years, I am soothing it by squeezing half a lemon and warm water, 4 times a day, it does seem to be helping. Hope you feel better soon0
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Chicken Soup, Campbells or similar Twice a day, and Garlic tablets 3 x a day. Cold gone in 3 days.0
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I'm sorry but I'm not sure I understand why it would be a problem for you to stick to your weight loss plans. I just got over a cold a few days ago and my problem was trying not to eat too less since all I really wanted was soup and ice water.0
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I'm just coming out the other end of my cold and what I tried to do was drink as much water as I could... eat little and often but keeping within the healthy food ranges, hot soups and soft foods to make it a bit easier on the throat. Rest as much as you can and if you have enough energy gentle walks out in the fresh air or even sitting out drinking a hot drink out there.
Hot water bottle or my hot monkey too! I use Olbas Oil to help me breath and took a little honey for throat and I would have had a little whisky and lemon too if there had been any available!
Tis rubbish but you will get through it... try not to stress, let your body do what it needs to do, then push on with your goals.
:flowerforyou:0 -
Why would a cold be an excuse to eat whatever you want? Just eat the way you normally do, but cut back on the exercise as you won't have the energy you might normally have. It's just a cold.0
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Personally, I don't log my food when I'm sick. I know I don't eat very balanced, because all I want is soup and crackers, and I just want to get the fluids I need so I can get better without worrying about the sodium content or calories or macros or any of that stuff.
Rest. Get better. Get back on track. It will only hurt your progress if you don't get back on track. Getting sick happens. It's at most a slight detour, not a roadblock.
{edited to add: I'm not talking about a little sniffling, sneezing, under-the-weather kind of sick... I don't consider myself "sick" unless I'm knocked on my *kitten* with a fever, sinuses full of mucus, throat so sore I can't swallow, and body aches so bad it hurts to brush my hair.}0 -
Thanks all--- I tend to gorge myself when I get sick and I want to avoid that but still kick this cold in the butt! Great advice from all and I will be cooking up some chicken soup tonight!0
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Zero reason to overeat because you have a cold, and you can still exercise, altho you might want to stay away from heavy cardio, particularly if you are running a fever. Be sure to drink plenty of water and adding soup should lower your calories unless you aren't eating enough to begin with, just be careful of the sodium in prepared soups. Making your own is the best way to go, but if you don't have enough energy for that, try low sodium versions.
Zicam always helps me get over a cold faster.0 -
I have one now too Lots of soup, Progresso light soups are good & only 100 cal. or less
but you should try to say on track anyway even if your not feeling good. Good luck 0 -
Got a pretty bad sinusitis right now and have been sick for a week, being on antibiotics for three days now (and will have to take them for some more). Food wise I just stick to what I was eating before, just trying to cut down a bit, because I don't have many exercise calories to eat back. I still try to go for a walk or some light biking though. Drink a lot of tea, eat some soup, fresh vegetable and fruits. It shouldn't change your eating too much in my opinion. Or do you feel like you need more, because you feel weak and hungry?0
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I've got a cold or some sort of a virus and have been continuing to track as usual, doing my best to eat nutrient-dense foods, but guided more by what I feel I can manage to eat than usual [more oranges and tea, for example]. I absolutely will not eat empty calories now as I really want to get well and stay positive about my progress.
Where I've noticed a difference from my usual routine: I can't push myself to be active because, if I do, I seem to get more ill rather than better. There have been studies saying people can continue to exercise, but I haven't found that to be true for me, so I'm giving myself extra rest for now.0 -
Personally, I don't log my food when I'm sick.
with all due respect, I would ignore this approach. A cold is not an excuse to stop or interrupt your plan.0 -
I'm sorry but I'm not sure I understand why it would be a problem for you to stick to your weight loss plans. I just got over a cold a few days ago and my problem was trying not to eat too less since all I really wanted was soup and ice water.
Shoot, when I'm sick I've always ate like a tank... like my body really wanted the extra fuel to keep going when I was feeling down and out.
Each person is different, what is normal for you obviously isn't normal for the OP.0 -
I've got a cold too. I've been eating less and resting more, and am finding that helps. Then my body can focus on healing itself rather than using energy in digestion.0
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A lot of people seem to be puzzled by your original concern... if I'm ill, how do I stop myself falling into old habits.
It is maybe a bit too easy to say to another... oh that SHOULDN'T be a problem but if you have had years of doing the same thing the same way... then to nudge yourself into a new way of doing... will take a bit of effort and discipline.
That doesn't mean you have to beat yourself to death with high expectations... be kind to yourself in other ways, take care of you and find ways to feel nurtured without having the habit of eating unhealthy options bring you down. Your logic knows you will just end up feeling rubbish afterwards anyway so try forming a new way to be when you are ill.
Treats in the form of a new book, a bubble bath, a new album to listen to while you are feeling rubbish... or plan something positive a new pair of trainers or a nice day away with friends.
Rewire the old habits and create a new set of wiring!
:flowerforyou:0 -
My eating isn't the problem when I have a cold - its the exercise. I reduced my exercise.0
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A lot of people seem to be puzzled by your original concern... if I'm ill, how do I stop myself falling into old habits.
It is maybe a bit too easy to say to another... oh that SHOULDN'T be a problem but if you have had years of doing the same thing the same way... then to nudge yourself into a new way of doing... will take a bit of effort and discipline.
That doesn't mean you have to beat yourself to death with high expectations... be kind to yourself in other ways, take care of you and find ways to feel nurtured without having the habit of eating unhealthy options bring you down. Your logic knows you will just end up feeling rubbish afterwards anyway so try forming a new way to be when you are ill.
Treats in the form of a new book, a bubble bath, a new album to listen to while you are feeling rubbish... or plan something positive a new pair of trainers or a nice day away with friends.
Rewire the old habits and create a new set of wiring!
:flowerforyou:
This sounds like great advice! Hope you are feeling well soon.0 -
I too am perplexed as why having a cold effects your healthy eating. This is a lifestyle change. I eat the same way regarless of how I feel. If anything you may eat less.0
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And a few days of no exercise will not hurt you at all. Weightloss is 80% diet and 20% exercise.0
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And a few days of no exercise will not hurt you at all. Weightloss is 80% diet and 20% exercise.
Seriously? I thought it was 82% and 18%? Now I have to redo my whole regiment. UGH!!!
/sarcasm0 -
Maybe some home made chicken soup, using chicken breast, buillion (I have dried stock) lots of veggies, such as carrots, celery, onion and garlic (garlic is good for a cold) My moms secret recipe for chicken noodle soup for sick people is a few Jalapenos. Also add long grain rice, I think it will be better for you than the pasta. You do need some carbs in there... unless you want to go all meat/veggie and crackers????
oh and my favorite treat is apple spice HOT tea with honey. yummy. gets the snot running, which is always helpful.
Good luck to everyone with a cold, my it die with you and not spread. May you get over it quickly. xxoo to all.0 -
Personally, I don't log my food when I'm sick.
with all due respect, I would ignore this approach. A cold is not an excuse to stop or interrupt your plan.
I agree, I log everything, unless im out of it mentally and forget (there is nothing I can do about that) If/when that happens I log the next day.0 -
To those who don't understand why eating habits might be different when someone has a cold: from my own perspective, when I'm ill, it's a lot harder to maintain a routine, because I constantly use a lot of energy in strategising and organising my life and staying on top of various chosen habits, and when I'm unwell, or even very tired, I lose quite a bit of energy, and I have to ration my energy just to function. In my case, I'm on the autism spectrum, so my brain simply doesn't automatically form habits the way others do - whatever lifestyle I choose, I have to constantly consciously maintain. Not everyone is on the autism spectrum, of course, but everyone's brains are a bit different, and I know I'm not the only one to have this difficulty.0
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Why would a cold be an excuse to eat whatever you want? Just eat the way you normally do, but cut back on the exercise as you won't have the energy you might normally have. It's just a cold.
^this0 -
keep on play just keep your hydration up0
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Two tips:
If you are sick from the neck up, keep on working out. If it's below the neck, rest.
If you are not vegetarian, the old tried & true fresh chicken soup with lots of garlic, ginger, onions, carrots, celery & potatoes. Cilantro if you like & a dash of red pepper. Make sure it's got lot's of broth. You can really fill up but because of the liquid you stay hydrated & full without being fattened up.
If you are vegetarian, of course skip the chicken & do a rich veggie broth.0 -
eat well, youll heal faster soups are always good. def dont use this as an excuse; just make sure to rest. 0
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