A sore throat can be uncomfortable and irritating. When looking for soothing foods and drinks to help ease throat pain, many people turn to warm liquids like tea, broth, or soup. One option that may help is loaded potato soup, a creamy potato soup loaded with bacon, cheese, and sour cream. But is loaded potato soup actually good for a sore throat? Here is a deeper look at the benefits and drawbacks of eating loaded potato soup when you have a sore throat.
What causes a sore throat?
Before exploring if loaded potato soup is helpful for sore throat relief, it’s important to understand what causes a sore throat in the first place. There are several potential culprits behind throat pain and irritation:
- Viral infections like cold or flu
- Bacterial infections like strep throat
- Allergies or environmental irritants
- Smoking cigarettes
- Dry air
- Acid reflux
- Yelling, singing, or overusing your voice
- Injuries to the throat
Viruses are the most common cause of sore throats. Bacterial infections like strep throat are less frequent. Allergies, asthma, acid reflux, smoking, yelling, and environmental factors like dry air can also trigger throat discomfort without an underlying infection. Understanding the root cause can help guide effective sore throat remedies.
Benefits of loaded potato soup for sore throat
Loaded potato soup has some potential upsides when you’re trying to soothe an irritated throat:
- Warm temperature. Warm liquids can provide soothing relief for throat pain. The warm broth in loaded potato soup can help increase circulation and loosen mucus.
- Soft, smooth texture. The creamy pureed texture of loaded potato soup means it’s easy to swallow. This makes it a good option when your throat is too scratchy or sore for hard, crunchy foods.
- Fluids. Staying hydrated is key when you have a sore throat. Drinking plenty of fluids helps thin out mucus. The liquid in soup helps get fluids into your system.
- Nutrition. Even when your throat is sore, it’s important to get nutrients for healing. Loaded potato soup provides carbohydrates from potatoes, protein from bacon, vitamins and minerals.
The warm temperature, soft texture, hydration, and nutrition in loaded potato soup can be helpful aspects when looking to soothe a sore throat.
Potential drawbacks of loaded potato soup for sore throat
However, there are some potential downsides of loaded potato soup to consider as well:
- Fat and sodium content. Loaded potato soups often contain high amounts of fat from ingredients like cream, cheese, bacon and butter. They also tend to be high in sodium. This may trigger reflux and exacerbate throat pain.
- Spices and seasoning. Spicy seasonings or ingredients like hot peppers can further irritate an already inflamed throat.
- Thick consistency. A very thick, heavy soup may coat the throat and be difficult to swallow if your throat is very sore.
- Dairy. Dairy ingredients like cream, milk and cheese are common in loaded potato soup. Lactose and dairy can increase mucus production.
Considering these drawbacks, a mildly seasoned loaded potato soup without heavy cream may be gentler on an irritated throat than a very rich, spicy version.
Tips for eating loaded potato soup with a sore throat
If you want to eat loaded potato soup to help soothe a sore throat, here are some tips to make it more throat-friendly:
- Choose a mild, low-sodium soup or limit additional salt.
- Avoid spicy flavors that may further irritate.
- Go easy on fatty ingredients like heavy cream, whole milk, cheese and butter.
- Thin it out with extra broth or milk if the soup is very thick.
- Let it cool slightly if the soup is piping hot, which could burn.
- Avoid dairy and opt for plant-based milk if you have excessive mucus.
- Stay hydrated by pairing it with herbal tea or water.
- Focus on ingredients that won’t coat or scratch your throat like soft potatoes instead of bread, bacon, etc.
Other foods to help a sore throat
While loaded potato soup has some benefits, there are other soothing food options that may be easier on an irritated throat, including:
- Broths and vegetable soups with less cream/dairy
- Smoothies made with soft fruits, yogurt, milk or ice cream
- Applesauce, mashed bananas and cooked oatmeal
- Gelatin, popsicles or ice chips
- Throat coat tea, chamomile tea, warm lemon water
- Cold foods like popsicles may also help numb pain
Should you avoid loaded potato soup with a sore throat?
Loaded potato soup doesn’t need to be completely avoided if you have a sore throat. However, you may want to choose milder versions without heavy spices or dairy. Extremely creamy, rich loaded potato soups are more likely to cause issues. Go for lighter broth-based potato soups over heavier chowders or bisques.
Pay attention to your body. If certain ingredients seem to exacerbate your throat pain, avoid them until you recover. Opting for healthier oils over butter, minimal seasoning, plant-based milk instead of cream, and boiling potatoes instead of deep-frying can make loaded potato soup gentler on an inflamed throat.
Other tips for sore throat relief
In addition to soothing foods and drinks, the following tips can also help speed up recovery from a sore throat:
- Get plenty of rest.
- Use a humidifier to ease dry, raw throat tissues.
- Gargle with warm saltwater to help loosen thick mucus.
- Suck on lozenges, cough drops or hard candies.
- Avoid irritants like smoke or air pollution that can worsen symptoms.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen as needed.
- See your doctor if symptoms last more than a week or get progressively worse.
When to see a doctor
In most cases, viral sore throats resolve on their own within a week. But see a doctor right away if you experience:
- Fever over 101 F
- Pus or white spots on your tonsils
- Blood in mucus when coughing or blowing nose
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Swollen glands in your neck or jaw
- Rash
- Hoarse, muffled voice lasting over two weeks
- Symptoms that persist longer than 1-2 weeks without improvement
These can indicate a bacterial infection like strep throat that requires antibiotics or other complications that need medical attention and treatment.
Conclusion
Loaded potato soup can offer some benefits for a sore throat since it provides warmth, hydration, and nutrients. However, very heavy, rich, or spicy versions may also aggravate throat discomfort. Keeping seasoning mild, skipping heavy dairy, and thinning the consistency can help make loaded potato soups gentler and easier to swallow. Pairing it with other fluids and soft foods may also ease symptoms. Check with your doctor if your sore throat lasts more than a week or gets worse instead of better over time.