Even though I blogged on this earlier in the season, colds and the flu just don’t seem to be giving up. Since I received a question about how to adjust diet when suffering and recovering from the flu...
Most people lose their appetite when they have the flu. Staying hydrated is the priority, and when you're not eating, water isn't enough. So drinking a sports beverage, or something with electrolytes, becomes very important. For adults, once your fever is much above 102 degrees (Fahrenheit), it's hard to rehydrate yourself, and you should absolutely go to a physician. Until you feel like you can eat again, calories become somewhat irrelevant.
You’ll feel best when you start slowly again with food, especially if you had any gastro-intestinal (stomach, bowel, diarrhea or constipation) issues with your illness. Start with clear liquids like chicken soup, adding noodles or toast or crackers. After that, add back dairy and fruits, like fresh fruit with yogurt.
Finally, just return to your original Good Mood Diet. Until you get your activity and exercise back to peak levels, you'll need to taper down on calories, so serving numbers and sizes may decrease, especially breads and starches. Fruits and veggies and protein will be very important, along with fatty fish or fish oil supplements.
Everyone I know has had some nasty bug work it’s way through the household this winter. Remember that washing your hands frequently is the best way to avoid passing on a cold. I have limited my hugs and kisses, even handshakes at this point so that I don’t catch someone else’s cold. A smile and warm words work well during this season of sharing more than we’d like.
Yours in a Good Mood,
Dr. Susan Kleiner