Can I eat red bean glutinous rice cakes if I have a slight cough from a cold?

Dec 04, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ren Yi
Introduction
In general, it's okay to eat red bean glutinous rice cakes when you have a cold with mild coughing, but it's not advisable to eat too much. Control the portion size to avoid overburdening digestion. Drink plenty of warm water daily to keep the throat moist, maintain appropriate indoor humidity, and avoid dry environments that may irritate the respiratory tract. Get adequate rest, avoid staying up late and overexertion, and include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet to supplement vitamins.

Generally speaking, it's acceptable to eat red bean glutinous rice cakes when you have a cold with mild coughing, although it's not advisable to consume them in large amounts. Here's a detailed explanation:

When suffering from a cold and cough, the body is weak and requires gentle, nourishing foods. Red beans are neutral in nature and sweet in taste, helping replenish fluids and energy, thus alleviating fatigue during a cold. Glutinous rice cakes have a soft, sticky texture that requires minimal chewing, causing little irritation to the throat and not worsening cough discomfort. These foods contain no spicy or irritating ingredients, provide basic nutrition, and have a mild taste that suits dietary needs during illness. Eating them in moderation can support recovery.

Control portion sizes to avoid overburdening digestion. Drink plenty of warm water throughout the day to keep the throat moist, maintain appropriate indoor humidity, and avoid dry environments that may irritate the respiratory tract. Get adequate rest, avoid staying up late and overexertion. Include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet to boost vitamin intake, reduce consumption of greasy and spicy foods, and promote a quicker return to good health.