There are dozens of recipes you can try that use fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts. Smoothies are another great food to add to your list, as they’re packed with essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that will help your body recover. Plus, hot chicken noodle soup keeps you hydrated and replenishes your body with essential vitamins and nutrients. And since it can take up to 10 days for nasal congestion to go away, you definitely want something that’s going to speed up this process. Studies show that hot liquids improve mucus congestion and clear nasal cavities. Below are the best foods to eat as you recover from being sick - and recharge your taste buds! Chicken Noodle SoupĬhicken soup isn’t just for when you’re sick - it’s a great meal to eat when you’re recovering from a cold or flu. Eating the right foods can help bring your taste back and support a full recovery. Luckily, losing taste and smell from a viral infection is usually temporary. If your nose is blocked from a virus, the odors can’t reach the sensory cells in your nose and food ends up tasting bland. When smell is lost, taste generally follows. They do this by damaging the cells that detect odors and cause swelling in the nose, limiting airflow to the smell receptors. Viral infections, like the flu, colds and COVID-19, can affect your smell and taste temporarily (anosmia).
