This is an automatically translated article. No matter how much you take care of them, kids get 8 to 10 coughs, colds, or runny noses a year on average. Even though most cases of a child’s cough don’t need any special care, parents can help their kids stay healthy by watching what they eat.
Coughs and colds are common occurrences that can put a damper on our appetites. When we’re feeling under the weather, warm soups and herbal teas tend to be more appealing than our usual fare. But if you’re a shrimp lover wondering whether you can indulge when you have a cough, read on. We’ll explore the facts and myths around eating shrimp with a cough, looking at the nutritional benefits of shrimp, precautions to take, and alternatives you may want to consider.
The Short Answer
The short answer is yes you can absolutely still enjoy shrimp when you have a cough. Shrimp is packed with protein, antioxidants and minerals that can support healing. However, those with shellfish allergies should avoid shrimp and other crustaceans as they may exacerbate cough symptoms. It’s also wise to avoid eating shrimp shells, claws, and legs as they can further irritate the throat.
Can Eating Shrimp Worsen a Cough?
While many people think seafood like shrimp aggravates cough symptoms, there’s no evidence to support this claim. The meat of shrimp and other seafood does not cause coughing. In fact, the protein and nutrients in these foods can help provide energy when you’re feeling run down.
However, the shells, claws, and legs of shrimp may irritate the throat and trigger coughing. It’s best to remove these parts before eating shrimp if you have a cough. Some seafood like clams, squid, and mussels contain higher levels of histamines that may worsen congestion and coughs in sensitive individuals. Those with shellfish allergies should avoid shrimp altogether when ill to prevent exacerbating symptoms.
The Benefits of Shrimp When You’re Sick
Far from being something to avoid when you’re under the weather, shrimp provides a powerhouse of nutrition to help you recover:
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High-Quality Protein: With 20g of protein in a 3oz serving, shrimp can help replace protein lost from increased metabolism when sick. Protein provides amino acids for tissue repair and immune function.
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Vitamin B12: Shrimp is one of the best food sources of vitamin B12, which helps form red blood cells and maintain normal nerve function. Deficiencies are common with illness.
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Selenium This mineral supports thyroid and immune health and acts as an antioxidant to reduce damage from inflammation Illness increases antioxidant needs.
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Zinc Shrimp provides zinc, which stimulates immune cell production and reduces the length of coughs and colds Deficiency compromises immunity.
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Healthy Fats: The omega-3s in shrimp reduce inflammation to aid healing andrecovery.
Healthy Ways to Prepare Shrimp
To get the most nutrition from shrimp when you’re under the weather:
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Opt for steaming, grilling, or baking instead of frying.
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Season with fresh herbs, spices, garlic, citrus, and olive oil instead of salt and butter.
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Enjoy the whole shrimp instead of heavy, creamy dips and sauces.
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Combine with vegetable-based sides like leafy greens, carrots, and sweet potatoes.
Precautions for Eating Shrimp With a Cough
If you decide to go ahead and eat shrimp while coughing, keep these precautions in mind:
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Thoroughly cook shrimp to kill any bacteria or viruses. Undercooked shrimp may compromise immunity.
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Avoid eating shrimp with foods high in histamines like bananas, spinach, and fermented foods to prevent worsening congestion.
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Never consume raw shrimp when sick, as bacteria and viruses thrive on raw seafood. Always cook thoroughly.
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Remove shells, legs, tails, and claws before eating to minimize throat irritation.
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Those with shellfish allergies should avoid shrimp altogether, as it may trigger severe reactions.
Healthy Seafood Alternatives to Eat With a Cough
If shrimp doesn’t seem appealing when you’re under the weather, try these nutritious seafood alternatives:
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Salmon: Rich in omega-3s and vitamin D to reduce inflammation and boost immunity.
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Oysters and mussels: Provide zinc to shorten colds along with vitamin B12, iron, and protein.
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Sardines: Packed with vitamin D, omega-3s, and immune-boosting selenium.
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Clams: Contain zinc, iron, vitamin B12 along with electrolytes to replenish losses from fever and sweating.
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Cod: Delivers vitamin B6 for immune support and vitamin B12 for energy. Lower in histamines than many seafoods.
So go ahead and enjoy shrimp in moderation along with other nutritious seafood options when you’re under the weather. Just be sure to take the proper precautions to avoid aggravating cough symptoms. With its high-quality protein and nutrients, shrimp can help you recover from illness while still satisfying your seafood cravings.
2. Let children choose their own favorite foods The child’s appetite will decrease significantly when the child has a cough, fever or runny nose. Therefore, parents can push their children to eat a little more to quickly overcome the illness, but do not overdo it. When a sick child may lose his appetite or eat less because of a sore throat, parents should give the child small meals based on the child’s favorite foods. Frequent small meals in moderate amounts are easier to digest but still help meet essential energy needs.
What should children be fed when they have a cough? Coughs and colds are very common adverse health events in young children. Accordingly, keeping young children comfortable and well-nourished during sick days is very important, helping children strengthen their resistance when fighting the virus. During this period, doctors often recommend that parents give children plenty of rest, limit running activities, play outdoors and need to drink enough water and eat enough. Diluted juices, water, soups and vegetable broths are all great ways to get the fluids your child needs. If your child has a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, follow your pediatrician’s recommendations to replace electrolyte fluids with dosed solution sachets. Older children can be given herbal teas with honey and lemon. However, many parents still worry about what children should be fed when they have a cough next to them like the one above. Here are some tips on what to feed your child when he or she is sick, sneezing, coughing and having a runny nose:
Will not eating on time give you a cough?
FAQ
Can I eat shrimp while coughing?
What foods should I avoid when coughing?
Is it okay to eat shrimp when sick?
What food helps with coughing?
Can food cause a cough with phlegm?
Some research has suggested that certain foods can increase mucus production, which can lead to a cough with phlegm (also known as a chesty cough ). Milk and dairy products are commonly associated with increasing mucus production.
Can one eat shrimp if they have gout?
Shimp contain high amounts of purins, which increaes uric acid levels, and may trigger symptoms or worsen gout. So, they should only be eaten once in a while.
What foods should you avoid during a cough?
Processed food to avoid during cough includes packaged snacks and sugary desserts, baked goods, white pasta, white bread, and chips. Instead, choose foods that are nutrient dense and whole foods in order to boost your immune system. 5. Fried Foods The process of frying food releases an airborne irritant called acrolein.
What foods are good for cough and phlegm?
Many plant foods and teas are known to help relieve respiratory ailments, including coughs. 10 These are some foods good for cough and phlegm. Honey is both a food and a medicine, and it’s especially effective for coughs.