What should a pregnant woman eat when she has a cold?

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on March 03, 2025
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During pregnancy, if a pregnant woman accidentally catches a cold, she can use some dietary therapy methods to recuperate. She can drink some ginger tea with sugar, which can alleviate headaches, nasal congestion, runny nose, and joint pains caused by the cold. Additionally, she can drink honey, which contains various bioactive substances that can stimulate the body's immune function and have a beneficial effect on the body's recovery from a cold. Furthermore, she can eat radishes, which are rich in nutrients and trace elements such as calcium, iron, and zinc, to enhance the body's resistance and speed up the recovery from the cold.

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Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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The difference between having excessive internal heat and having a cold

When "excessive internal heat" occurs, it generally leads to physical weakness and can also cause pain, such as sore throat, oral pain, stomachache, etc. The symptoms of a cold mainly manifest as coughing, excessive phlegm, nasal congestion, runny nose, and an itchy throat. Therefore, effective differentiation can be made by comparing these symptoms. Regardless of whether it is "excessive internal heat" or a cold, it is important to manage the condition early to effectively prevent the illness from worsening. Drinking more plain water can also provide some relief.

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Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
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Can you eat chicken when you have a cold?

During the onset of a cold, it is not advisable to eat chicken as it might increase the burden on the stomach and intestines. This is due to the decreased digestive function during a cold, which may lead to symptoms of indigestion. Therefore, it is recommended to consume light, warm, and easily digestible food, drink plenty of water, and facilitate excretion during the illness phase. Eating less at this time won’t do harm. In the recovery phase, nutrition can be enhanced by introducing foods rich in high-quality protein and vitamins, including chicken, which helps in replenishing nutrients and strengthens the body to facilitate a faster recovery from the illness.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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What should I do if I have a cold, headache, and nasal congestion?

Symptoms such as cold, headache, and nasal congestion should be treated accordingly. It is advisable to drink plenty of water and avoid eating irritating foods. Check your body temperature, and if there are symptoms of fever, you can take aspirin or acetaminophen to treat the fever and headache. For nasal congestion, you can take oral medications that suppress gland secretion, or use some nasal drops locally to relieve the swelling of the nasal mucosa and control the sensation of congestion. Drink plenty of water, rest more, and avoid spicy foods and seafood.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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What should pregnant women not eat when they have a cold?

During pregnancy, due to the general decline in the physical condition of pregnant women, it is easy to catch a cold. At this time, relief can be provided through daily care. However, in daily life, there are some foods that should be avoided. First, crabs should not be eaten, as eating crabs during pregnancy can potentially cause miscarriage, due to their effect of invigorating blood circulation and resolving stasis. Additionally, chives should not be eaten when having a cold, as although chives have a moistening effect on the intestines, eating too many can also easily cause uterine contractions leading to miscarriage. Also, spicy and stimulating foods, such as chili peppers, black pepper, onions, and ginger, should be avoided as they can exacerbate gastrointestinal disorder. Instead, it is important to drink plenty of water, ensure adequate sleep, and strengthen personal hygiene care.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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Can you exercise when you have a cold in the summer?

Generally speaking, it is not advisable to exercise after catching a cold; it is usually recommended to rest instead. This is because after catching a cold, a person's immune system is often weakened, commonly accompanied by symptoms like fatigue, tiredness, and decreased appetite. If one exercises during this time, it will inevitably increase the body's consumption, further reducing the body's resistance, weakening the body even more, and hindering the recovery from the illness. Moreover, exercise increases lung capacity, leading to a higher volume of air passing through the airways, which can aggravate symptoms such as throat discomfort and cough associated with a cold. From this perspective, it is also unsuitable to exercise.