What To Eat When You Have Strep Throat?

A sore throat is one of the most popular diseases nowadays, and its incidence is likely to increase during cold weather periods. So, to get rid of this disease, many people used to seek for medicine hoping for a quick recovery, not knowing that if they eat the right foods, their body could quickly recover itself.

Hence, today we will discuss an article which could help you choose what to eat when you have Strep Throat.

What does Strep Throat mean and how to treat it?

What does Strep Throat mean?

Let’s find out why people call it Strep Throat. Scientists usually divide the cause of Sore Throat into two categories: infectious (commonly virus and bacteria) and noninfectious, in most of the cases are due to the infection. According to a medical statistic [1], the two most popular organisms which infect the throat are the respiratory virus and Streptococcus group A. Thus, when we mention Strep Throat we mean Streptococcus infected pharyngitis.

Click here if you wonder about the relationship between Strep Throat and Tonsil “CAN YOU GET STREP THROAT WITHOUT TONSILS?”

Talk about the bacteria; Streptococcus is the spherical-shaped bacteria that are participating in the bacterial community of our mouth, skin, intestine and upper respiratory tract. They could cause diseases in many organ systems which could cause severe complications at heart, the kidneys, the joints in some particular scenarios. Lucky for us there are not too many species of Streptococcus that are harmful.

According to some statistics [1], both children and adult are the targets for the bacteria. Nearly a half of all case occurs before age 18, at the peak in childhood and adolescence. On the other hand, in adults, the most case of acute pharyngitis occur by age 40 and incidence declines after that.

Click here if you want more information about “CAN NEWBORNS GET STREP THROAT?”

How to treat Strep Throat

The most popular treatment for this disease is antibiotic and other supportive therapies. Fortunately, most of the Streptococcus species are still sensitive to the standard antibiotics however the antibiotics could not get their full effects until 24 hours after appearing in the bloodstream at the first time. Therefore, food plays a vital role in relieving the symptoms and help your body feel better while waiting for the drugs to act, and if we know what to eat when you have strep throat, our body will regenerate faster, and we can soon get back to our own life.

For more information about the antibiotic for Strep Throat, please click “BEST ANTIBIOTIC FOR STREP THROAT IN ADULTS”

Moreover, in the era of antibiotic resistance, some clinicians claim that we could fight back these bacteria without antibiotic or they can delay the time to prescribe antibiotic base on the patient condition to reduce the unnecessary drugs.

Also, there is some researchers point out that the clinical outcomes and complication rate are not different between the group that using antibiotic and it soon that they will announce their results in the future. In those case, the diet seems to get a significant role in the treatment therapy, so it is substantial to know what to eat when you have Strep Throat.

Click here for more information about “DOES STREP THROAT GO AWAY ON ITS OWN?” and “HOW LONG DOES STREP THROAT LAST WITHOUT ANTIBIOTICS?”.

Why should we have to have a healthy diet when we get Strep Throat?

1. Food is the most critical energy resource

For a long time ago, we have already known that food is our primary source of energy, the more food we consume, the more power we generate. When we get ill, our body will react with the intruders, all of our metabolic processes increase, and the demand for energy is higher than average condition.

These reactions are understandable because what they do is to limit the infected areas, replace the damaged tissues and remove the bacteria. Therefore, it is crucial to provide as much as energy to your body by choosing the right food to eat when you have Strep Throat.

2. Food helps boost the immunity system

In general condition, we do not demand a high quantity of mineral micronutrients and vitamins, but when some tiny organisms try to harm us, the need is rising. Both of them participate in constructing our immunity cells, reinforcing our immunity system and without them, we may have a struggling time fighting the bacteria, and increase the complication rate. So, let’s find out why they have such crucial impacts:

Iron

Iron plays an essential part in the DNA metabolic pathway and participates in the enzyme system. In acute infection, when we do not provide an adequate amount of iron to our body, the metabolic will slow down due to the shortage of the enzyme. Hence, the healing process would take longer to finish their job or in some individual cases, our body fails to limit the infectious area and the infection keeps on.

Therefore, what you should remember is to keep your iron storage full and fill them up with the food you eat when you have Strep Throat.

Zinc

Just like iron, zinc is an essential catalyst for the DNA replication and protein synthesis process. Furthermore, it plays an integral part in developing and maintain the effectiveness of our immunity system, also promoting the healing process, which is indispensable when some tiny organisms try to knock us down.

A little more information is when our zinc reservation is low, the function of most of the immune cells decreases, including T cells, B cells, and macrophages thus making the situations even worse. In conclusion, you must keep in mind that we should add more and more amount of zinc to our body if you want to wipe out those bacteria quickly and efficiently.

It will be a huge mistake if we do not mention one of our best friends, Vitamin, right? Also, if you still wonder why they are such essential to our body, especially when you have a Strep Throat, let me remind you.

Vitamin C

For a long time ago, scientists have claimed the crucial impact of them to our body, not only when we are infected but also in other scenarios. Firstly, vitamin C helps boost our immunity system, make our immune cells work efficiently. Without vitamin C, the bacteria will get a big chance to bring us down due to the collapse of our defense system. Secondly, vitamin C promote the mineral micronutrients absorption rate – another friendly and kind buddy, helping the recovery even quicker.

Last but not least, vitamin C also participate as an antioxidant, which also prevents cancer – one of the worst nightmares at the moment – and avoid the oxidant chemical from the infection to harm us [2].

Vitamin B [3]

Unlike its brother, vitamin C, the role of vitamin B is not popular, but it plays a critical part in increasing absorption rate, cell development, energy synthesis. Moreover, the enzyme system would not work correctly with the appearance of vitamin B which will slow the regeneration process down, and I know that you do not want your body keep being damaged, right?

In conclusion, we could not forget how fascinating the mineral micronutrients and vitamins are and its essential function that keeping our body clean. Tiny but mighty, isn’t it?

3. Food provide a variable source of antioxidants

From what I have mentioned before, antioxidants keep those oxidant chemicals from the infection away from us. So, why would it be so important that you have to notice it in the food we eat, especially when you have Strep Throat?

During our lifetime, the chemical reactions keep happening, maintain our living activities: breathing, metabolism, energy synthesis, etc. However, have you ever notice that a big part of them are oxidation reaction and their adverse products are named oxidants.

Oxidants will disrupt our metabolism and consequently cause a lot of disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, heart attack, and our nightmare, cancer. Hence, to keep us survive, our body has to synthesize a numerous of antioxidants and increase the requirement of them during some special occasion like during infection period.

Thus, it is important to add some antioxidants to our body if you want to get healthy and have a good quality of life. Guess what, the richest and the most valuable resource turns out to be food like papaya, watermelon, pomegranate, etc. That’s right; it is the most convenient and economical way to get priceless antioxidants and delicious, too. So, don’t forget to eat those healthy foods when you have Strep Throat.

What To Eat When You Have Strep Throat?

Now after knowing the truth that “food is not just food” and the precious value of them, let’s identify what are the best foods to eat when you have Strep Throat, which not only improves our condition but also make us feel enjoyable during this period.

1. Fruit

This is the first thing that came up in everyone minds when we were ill, but it’s true because fruits contain tons and tons of valuable resources for our body. All of them are good for you, but still, some of them seem to be not an excellent choice for you since your throat is not so well. Hence, today I will show you what kind of the fruits that you need to eat when you have Strep Throat.

Banana

Banana is what you have to eat because it is an abundant source of vitamin C which can reinforce your immunity system and vitamin B6 which could increase carbohydrate, protein and fat synthesis. Furthermore, it also contains a large quantity of tryptophan, which could regulate mood and bring the comfortable feeling when you have Strep Throat.

Finally, banana has a natural soft texture so it would be easy to swallow and shouldn’t harm your wounded throat. However, you should only consume two bananas each day because too many bananas would disrupt your electrolyte and homeostasis.

Watermelon

I know that you couldn’t resist a frozen and juicy watermelon, right? Besides the luscious feelings, watermelon is a valuable source of vitamin A, B and C as well as a priceless number of electrolytes, and mineral nutrients. Oh, and I have to mention that watermelon also contains a generous amount of antioxidant which could promote your body to beat the tiny enemies.

What could be more pleasant than an ice – cold watermelon? However, I would remind that low temperature is not friendly to your throat. Therefore, you shouldn’t eat the melon while it is too cold.

Papaya

You just can’t ask for more from papaya when you have a Strep Throat because it will boost your immunity system with the high amount of vitamin A, C and plenty of antioxidants. Moreover, it also owns a variety digestive enzyme system which increases your appetite and makes your meals more pleasant.

Pomegranate

Perhaps a few of you are wondering how this fruit can go on the list, let me show you why. Pomegranate contains an excellent source of potent anti-inflammatory properties which can reduce the feeling of scratchy, burning, irritated from the wounded throat. Besides, the antioxidants from this fruit could be a substantial impact in removing the bacteria and protect our body.

You know what, you should consume the whole fruit, not just drinking their juice because there are still some essential nutritional elements left after you extract them. So, if you are not fond of eating fruit, I would highly recommend you to eat them all when you have Strep Throat.

2. Vegetable

Cabbage

This is the indispensable part of the salad, and I know that you are familiar with them. So, today I will tell you that they not only fresh and crunchy but also healthy. The scientists show that cabbage can provide a valuable source of vitamin A, C and antioxidant. More than that, the Sulphur from this vegetable could detoxify the oxidant from the metabolism, also it can reduce the inflammation inside your neck.

Sage

The ancient people widely used sage in treating Strep Throat and it has proved its effectiveness so far. Not just adding delicious flavor to your meals, it also adds plenty of antiseptic ingredients to your body that will accelerate the healing process.

3. Meat and shellfish

Needless to say, the advantages of them are so distinct; this is what you need to eat when you have Strep Throat. Meat provides a reliable energy source and a massive amount of vitamin and mineral micronutrient. However, you must know how to choose and cook them in the right way if you don’t want to make your problem worse.

It’s better to stay away from the fat although it contains an abundant energy source because it’s harder for your body to consume and in some ways, it could suppress your immunity system, and you don’t want weak defenders when you are ill, right? Hence, you can choose the lean meat like chicken, turkey or fish because they are soft and easier to digest.

After selecting a beautiful, lean piece of meat, hot and soft dishes is one of the best choices you can make because the moisture, the heat and the smooth texture from that food could improve your taste and it is friendly for your digestive system. Besides, hot dishes like chicken soup or lentil soup could loosen the mucus in your throat that relieve the feeling of congestion and stuffiness. Read more, and I will explain why you should stay away from the BBQ and fried food.

Another option is shellfish, which is also a delicious and healthy choice if you are not allergic to them. It is the primary storage of zinc that boosts all of your immune cells so your system will get an enormous upgrade. There are plenty of them, and you can easily find some recipes on the Internet if you want to get a savory meal, not only good for your stomach but also create a relaxed moment while enjoying them.

4. Honey

Yummy and tasty, who can refuse a fresh, sweet hot honey lemonade? Not is just being a delicious drink, the warm temperature could efficiently relieve the pain from your throat and facilitate a faster recovery.

Also, the moist from the mixture could humidify the outer layer tissue, and the natural antiseptic ability of the honey would assist the bacterial removal process. Lastly, the sticky pattern of the honey will cover your throat and soothe a cough by preventing some possible allergens which could exaggerate the problem.

5. Ginger

According to WebMD [4], ginger contains precious chemicals that may reduce the inflammatory process, hence it will work similar to a painkiller as well as depress the symptoms too. It also controls the infection by its antiseptic ability, just like honey. That’s why they usually combined two of them since the ancient time to cure a sore throat, and now people are still using these recipes.

What could be more delightful than enjoying a cup of tea with ginger and honey, fresh and favorable while your throat is sore? In my point of view, this is the best foods to eat when you have Strep Throat.

What should we avoid eating when we get Strep Throat?

Besides lots of delicious and healthy foods for you to eat, there are plenty of bad food which should be placed on the “blacklist” when you have Strep Throat. These foods may be delicious and provide an excellent taste, but it would not be friendly to you in your condition. Now let’s find out who they are.

1. Spicy foods

Red hot and spicy foods from Mexico, Thailand, Korea made people fall in love with them, not just because the bright color but also by the flavor of the dishes. Nowadays you can easily find these guys on the street, in the food stores or restaurants but it turns out they are not kind to you when you are sick.

In normal condition, the burning feeling while eating the food can irritate your digestive system, and that is what make you want to eat more. However, when you have Strep Throat, it will worsen the pain in your throat, decrease your appetite and finally, you will skip your meal. Remember this: spicy is tasty but only when you are healthy.

2. Grilled, fried foods

No need to say anything about them, they are delicious and appetizing, such as BBQ, french fries, fried chicken, etc. Despite all the tasty flavor, their texture is sturdy and isn’t easy to digest. Even if you carefully chewed their edges were still really sharp, so when you swallow the food, they will rub against the throat, cause you to feel sore.

Also, their edges could cause some scratch and damage the surface as well, so I could say that they are not conductive to your recovery and I would highly recommend you to wait until your throat is better. In this case, BBQ and fries are not what to eat when you have Strep Throat.

3. Alcohol

[5] Some say that alcohol has an antiseptic function so drinking alcohol will help to kill the bacteria. It seems to be true, isn’t it?

However, it turns to be false this time because the alcohol concentration is not high enough to kill those bacteria. Also, it could harm your throat because drinking alcohol on a regular basis may irritate the throat, causing the inflammatory throat keeps on. Moreover, excessive exposure to alcohol could lead your surface tissue into the dehydrated state, which increases the potential to worsen a sore throat.

4. Citrus and acidic foods

I know it is not making any sense because some of them like orange, lemon, tomatoes could provide lots of vitamins (including vitamin C), iron, zinc, antioxidants. Those are what I have reminded you to eat to protect yourself from infectious disease including when you have Strep Throat.

However, some debates eating them with your wounded throat would irritate and worsen your throat. In my opinion, we cannot disprove what orange and lemon could do so if they do not deteriorate your problems, I will strongly recommend you to eat both of them when you have Strep Throat.

Bottom Line

Here are some healthy and delicious foods that could be a friendly partner which could provide a reliable energy source, boost your immunity system and add plenty of antioxidants for you when Streptococcus attack your throat. In fact, there is nothing to be worried about because if you have a proper diet, your immunity system would receive a significant boost and maybe you will be stunning to see how fast the bacteria disappear.

Also, if you keep using these healthful diets, sometimes you may miss those bacteria. Hope that all the information above could be useful and knowledgeable enough for you to make the best decision in choosing what to eat when you have Strep Throat.

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