You might have come across a lot of articles on cold and flu superfoods that improve immune system functioning and help you to recover faster. But did you know that there are a few foods that you should stay away from if you want to speed up your recovery and get relief from the symptoms. We have listed out a few of these foods below.

1. Milk and dairy items
If you have a cold or the flu, staying away from milk especially whole milk and dairy items such as cheese and ice-cream might be beneficial. This is because these items can stimulate the production of mucus or cause it to thicken. This can result in the allergens causing the cold to remain in your system longer and you might also find it difficult to breathe.

2. Alcohol
Alcoholic drinks such as vodka, tequila, and gin can impact your immune system and make you more prone to developing various health issues or prolong recovery time. Excessive consumption of alcohol can also make you dehydrated. Hence, when you feel under the weather, opt for foods such as chicken soup, teas, and water.

3. Processed meats
This includes hot dogs, bacon, bologna, pepperoni, and deli meats. This is because these foods contain a high amount of salt that can make you dehydrated. This can prolong a cold and worsen the symptoms of a flu. The nitrites used to process these foods can trigger headaches in some people. Some of these meats are also high in saturated fat, which can increase inflammation in the body.

4. Junk and processed foods
Avoiding foods such as pizza, cookies, chips, and French fries might help you recover faster. These foods are high in saturated fat and salt. High fat foods are difficult to digest and can cause acid reflux, dehydration, and inflammation. Swap these unhealthy foods and snacks with certain cold and flu superfoods like oranges and other citrus fruits.

5. Sugar
Candy, chocolate, cookies, and sodas are high in sugar and can cause inflammation in the body. They can also affect the functioning of the immune system by weakening the white blood cells. Hence, it would take longer for your body to fight an infection. Avoid sugar-free varieties of candy as well. Fake sweeteners can also affect immune system function and even cause a decrease of healthy bacteria in the gut. Opt for honey instead. It can help to soothe a sore throat; you can also add it to tea to boost immune system function.