What are the benefits of eating broccoli cheddar soup when sick?
There are several potential benefits to eating broccoli cheddar soup when you’re feeling under the weather:
It can provide hydration. When you’re sick, keeping hydrated is key. Broths and soups like broccoli cheddar provide hydration from their liquid content. Staying hydrated thins out mucus, prevents dehydration headaches, and helps your body flush out toxins and germs.
It contains electrolytes. Electrolytes like sodium and potassium are often lost when you’re sick due to fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. Broccoli cheddar soup can help replenish these important minerals.
It’s easy on your stomach. When you’re sick, you want foods that are gentle on your GI system. Broccoli cheddar soup is low in fiber and the broth is generally easy to digest. The warmth can also be soothing.
It provides nutrients. Broccoli cheddar soup packs in vitamins A, C, and K. Broccoli provides fiber, folate, and antioxidants. So you get immune-boosting nutrition when your body needs it most.
It can boost calories/energy. Illness often blunts your appetite. Broccoli cheddar soup provides calories and carbs to give you an energy boost. This is especially helpful if your stomach may reject heavier foods.
It can open up sinuses. A stuffed or runny nose is common with colds and allergies. The warmth and steam from broccoli cheddar soup can help open and drain sinus passages.
What nutrients does broccoli cheddar soup provide?
Broccoli cheddar soup is packed with important vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients:
Vitamin C – One cup provides over 50% of your daily vitamin C needs. Vitamin C supports immune health and fights infection.
Vitamin A – Broccoli is rich in antioxidant vitamin A. It keeps your immune system strong and helps mucus membranes fend off viruses.
Fiber – Broccoli gives you insoluble fiber to feed good gut bacteria and keep your digestive system regular.
Vitamin K – Necessary for proper blood clotting, vitamin K is provided by the broccoli in this soup.
Folate – Broccoli is high in folate, a B vitamin that aids in new cell and tissue generation. Helpful when you’re actively fighting an illness.
Potassium – The electrolyte potassium helps nerves and muscles function properly. It’s lost during illness and requires replenishment.
Carbohydrates – The broth, dairy, and optional bread or crackers provide carbohydrates for energy.
Sodium – The salt in the broth replaces sodium lost to fever, sweat, or vomiting when sick.
Calcium – The cheddar cheese gives you bone-building calcium.
What are the risks or downsides of eating broccoli cheddar soup when sick?
While broccoli cheddar soup has many benefits, there are some potential downsides to keep in mind:
May cause gastrointestinal upset – While gentler than many foods, broccoli and dairy can be hard on sensitive stomachs prone to nausea or diarrhea when sick.
High in sodium – Broth and cheese provide a lot of sodium, which could exacerbate high blood pressure.
Provides less nutrition if ingredients altered – If you remove broccoli or sub low-fat cheese when sick, you’ll get fewer vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Could interact with medications – Dairy products can sometimes interact with antibiotics or other medicines. Check with your pharmacist.
May not appeal when sick – When congested, you may crave only clear fluids or soft foods. Broccoli cheddar may not sound appealing.
May increase mucus production – Dairy can stimulate phlegm in some individuals, worsening congestion.
Contains lactose – Those with lactose intolerance may experience gas, bloating or diarrhea after eating broccoli cheddar soup.
Offers minimal protein – Unlike chicken noodle soup, broccoli cheddar isn’t a significant source of rebuilding proteins.
What other soup options could provide similar benefits when sick?
If broccoli cheddar soup doesn’t appeal to you when sick, other soup options can offer similar hydration, nutrition, and ease on your stomach:
Chicken Noodle Soup – Classic chicken soup also provides fluids and electrolytes. Chicken offers more protein for recovery and noodles provide carbs for energy.
Vegetable Soup – A low-sodium vegetable broth with soft cooked veggies gives you hydration, minerals, and gentle fiber without dairy.
Miso Soup – The kombu seaweed and fermented miso provide electrolytes. Soft tofu and seaweed pack in immunity-boosting nutrients.
Egg Drop Soup – Eggs lightly scrambled into broth offer protein for wound healing, vitamins, and sinus-clearing steam.
Tomato Soup – The rich tomato base is high in vitamin C and electrolytes. Pair with a grilled cheese for extra calories.
Bone Broth – Sipping on mineral-rich bone broth provides hydration and electrolytes without taxing your GI system.
Gazpacho – Cold, refreshing gazpacho combines hydration from tomato juice with gentle produce fiber and nutrients.
Congee or Rice Porridge – Congee, Chinese rice porridge, provides easy to digest carbs and fluids to boost energy and hydration.
Does soup really help you recover faster when you’re sick?
Research indicates that soup, especially chicken soup, does help you get back on your feet faster when sick:
The warm liquid helps thin mucus in your airways, making breathing and sleeping easier.
Staying hydrated with broth prevents dehydration and dangerous complications.
The sodium and electrolytes in broth replenish what’s lost through fever, sweating, and vomiting.
The nutrients give your taxed immune system what it needs to produce germ-fighting white blood cells.
The calories and carbohydrates boost crucial energy when illness saps your reserves.
Protein aids in building new tissue and healing damaged cells.
Vegetables provide antioxidant power to fight free radicals released by infections.
Chicken contains an amino acid called cysteine that thins mucus for congestion relief.
So while it won’t cure your illness directly, soup gives your body what it needs nutritionally to heal itself faster!
Should you avoid broccoli cheddar soup or other soups when sick?
There are a few instances when you may want to avoid broccoli cheddar soup or limit soup intake when sick:
If you have a fever – Only sip small amounts of clear fluids to avoid overhydrating.
If you are vomiting – Stick to sips of water or ice chips until vomiting subsides. Then gradually increase to clear liquids.
If you have chronic congestion – Dairy products like broccoli cheddar may worsen phlegm production.
If you have diarrhea – High broth intake can make diarrhea worse, so limit portions.
If you have a sore throat – Extremely hot liquids can further irritate throat tissues. Allow soup to cool slightly.
If you’re taking certain medications – Avoid dairy soups if they may interact with your medicine.
If you’re lactose intolerant – Dairy-based soups can cause major abdominal discomfort.
If you have high blood pressure – Limit high-sodium soups to avoid exacerbating hypertension.
Otherwise, listen to your body and appetite. If a warm nourishing soup sounds comforting and appetizing, go for it!
Conclusion
Broccoli cheddar soup offers many benefits when you’re under the weather, providing hydration, electrolytes, calories for energy, and nutrients to fuel your immune system. However, it does have some drawbacks like potentially increasing mucus production or GI upset.
Stick to lighter, hydrating clear broth soups if you have fever, vomiting, diarrhea or chronic congestion. Opt for vegetable or chicken noodle variations if dairy gives you issues. While soup won’t cure your illness directly, the right preparation can help you rebound faster by giving your body what it needs to heal itself. Focus on staying hydrated and getting proper rest, and let your body’s natural defenses do the hard work.
| Soup Type | Main Benefits When Sick | Potential Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|
| Broccoli Cheddar Soup | Hydration, electrolytes, energy from carbs and fat, vitamins and minerals from broccoli | May increase mucus, GI upset from dairy |
| Chicken Noodle Soup | Hydration, electrolytes, protein from chicken for wound healing, noodles for carbs | High sodium, fat from chicken skin |
| Vegetable Soup | Gentle fiber from veggies, hydration from broth, nutrients and antioxidants | Low protein and fat for energy |
| Miso Soup | Probiotics and electrolytes from fermented miso, nutrients from seaweed | High sodium, minimal protein |
Tips for getting better faster when sick
In addition to eating healing soups and staying hydrated, here are some tips for speeding recovery when you’re under the weather:
– Get plenty of rest! Sleep allows your body to direct energy towards fighting illness rather than daily activity.
– Take over-the-counter medications as needed for pain, fever, congestion, etc. Follow directions carefully.
– Soothe your throat with warm broth, herbal tea, honey, or lozenges. Avoid irritants like smoke.
– Try a cool mist humidifier to ease congestion and coughing. This adds moisture to dry air.
– Stay warm with blankets when feverish or chilled. Maintaining proper body temperature aids healing.
– Drink warm liquids like broth, tea or lemon water to stay hydrated and thin out congestion.
– Get some fresh air if possible. Breathe deeply to maximize oxygen intake.
– Avoid strenuous activity until you start to recover. Rest is crucial.
– Wash hands frequently and sanitize shared surfaces to prevent spreading illness.
Focus on supporting your body’s efforts to heal itself and you’ll be back on your feet faster! Let your symptoms guide you in choosing nourishing foods and beverages.
When should you see a doctor if your illness persists?
While most minor illnesses can be managed at home with rest and supportive care, contact your physician if you experience:
– A fever over 102 F that lasts more than 3 days
– Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
– Chest pain when coughing or breathing deeply
– A cough that produces blood or yellow/green mucus
– Signs of dehydration like dizziness, excessive thirst or urinating less
– Confusion or disorientation
– Severe, persistent vomiting or diarrhea
– Inability to keep liquids down for 24 hours
– Worsening of existing medical conditions
– No improvement after 7-10 days
– High risk individuals like infants, elderly, or immunocompromised people
Seeking prompt medical treatment can help prevent complications and identify infections that may require antibiotics or other medications. Don’t hesitate to get medical care if your symptoms concern you.
The bottom line
Broccoli cheddar soup is a nutritious choice when you’re under the weather, offering hydration, nausea-friendly calories, sinus-clearing steam, and nutritious vegetables. However, dairy-based soups come with some cautions for certain conditions. Listen to your body and stick to broths and lighter soups if your stomach seems sensitive. Pair your soothing soup with plenty of fluids, rest, over-the-counter symptom relievers and other recovery supports. With proper self-care, you should bounce back faster while avoiding the risks of dehydration and malnutrition during illness. Just be sure to seek medical advice if symptoms don’t improve or worsen. With some TLC and nourishing soup, you’ll be well on your way to feeling like yourself again.