What should influenza patients pay attention to regarding their diet?

Feb 08, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ren Yi
Introduction
Influenza refers to the flu. Generally, patients with influenza should pay attention to eating easily digestible foods,清淡少油腻 (light and less greasy foods), ensuring adequate hydration, eating small meals frequently, and avoiding spicy, irritating, raw, cold, and greasy foods. If necessary, consult a doctor for advice. During influenza, the patient's digestive function may be affected; therefore, foods such as vegetable soup, congee, and egg broth may be recommended.

  Influenza refers to the flu. Generally, patients with influenza should pay attention to eating food that is easy to digest, light and less greasy, ensuring adequate hydration, eating small meals frequently, and avoiding spicy, irritating, raw, cold, or greasy foods. If necessary, consult a physician. Detailed explanations are as follows:

  1. Easy to Digest

  During influenza, the patient's digestive function may be affected. Broth, congee, egg soup, steamed egg, and similar foods are easy to digest and absorb, placing minimal burden on the gastrointestinal tract.

  2. Light and Less Greasy

  A light diet helps reduce gastrointestinal irritation and prevents worsening of the condition. Greasy foods are difficult to digest and may increase the burden on the gastrointestinal system, hindering recovery.

  3. Ensure Adequate Hydration

  Patients with influenza may lose body fluids due to fever and sweating. Sufficient water intake helps maintain metabolic balance and promotes recovery.

  4. Eat Small Meals Frequently

  Each meal should be moderate in quantity, with increased meal frequency to ensure adequate nutrition. Eating small meals frequently helps reduce the burden on the gastrointestinal system while ensuring the body receives sufficient nutritional support to meet energy demands and promote recovery.

  5. Avoid Spicy, Irritating, Raw, Cold, and Greasy Foods

  Foods such as chili peppers, garlic, scallions, fatty meats, and cold beverages may irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract, hinder recovery, and potentially worsen symptoms such as coughing and sore throat.

  The above measures help reduce the burden on the gastrointestinal system, enhance the body's resistance, and promote recovery from the illness.