Brent Furdyk

Is your throat feeling a little tender? Whether you&rsquo;re dealing with cold and flu season or you&rsquo;re just plagued by a raw, sore throat that makes eating and drinking a pain, these common foods and drinks can help to ease the discomfort.

a glass of creamy orange-banana smoothie on a marble countertop

cold-busting-smoothie-feature

healthy eating

Turmeric is touted as having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, thanks to an active ingredient called curcumin. Incorporate grated turmeric root or powder into your smoothies, teas and soups &mdash; like this creamy, coconut-y, and crave-worthy vegan soup &mdash; for a healthy (and colourful) boost.

Turmeric

Soothe that aching throat with an immune-boosting banana, orange and ginger smoothie beautifully blended together with other healthy ingredients.

Smoothies

Not only are eggs easy on the throat, they&rsquo;re also simple to prepare and loaded with protein and omega-6 fatty acids, which can help fight inflammation. This recipe for Turkish poached eggs also has soothing creamy yogurt which will cool and calm your throat.

Eggs

Oatmeal is a great thing to eat when you&rsquo;re feeling sick, as it&rsquo;s full of nutrients and fibre that will help your body fight off illness. Meanwhile, the oats contain omega-3 fatty acids, folate and potassium, which will further speed up the healing process. For a well-rounded meal starring oats, this protein-packed oatmeal is topped with orange slices and crunchy chopped pecans.

bowl of Winter Citrus Oatmeal

Oatmeal

Foods with a soft, mushy consistency such as mashed potatoes are easy to eat while suffering from a sore throat. While there isn&rsquo;t anything particularly medicinal about potatoes, at least they&rsquo;ll be delicious and painless while going down. This recipe is perfectly creamy with a decadent mix of milk, cream and butter.
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Classic Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Mashed Potatoes

Sage not only adds delicious flavour to a recipe, but also boasts astringent, antiseptic and antibacterial qualities, which is why this fragrant herb has long been used as a folk treatment for sore throats. Bake fresh sage into a savoury treat with these delicious pumpkin-and-feta muffins.

Sage

There&rsquo;s nothing quite like a cold popsicle treat to soothe a sore throat and bring you back to childhood. These grown-up popsicles feature the creamy flavours of <a href="https://www.flavournetwork.ca/recipe/vietnamese-coffee-creme-brulee/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vietnamese coffee</a> for a little caffeine kick.

Popsicles

A time-honoured treatment for colds and flus for generations, homemade chicken soup remains the go-to food when it comes to fighting illness and soothing a sore throat. This&nbsp;immune-boosting&nbsp;chicken soup is make with <a href="https://www.flavournetwork.ca/article/stock-vs-broth-vs-bouillon/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bone broth</a> alongside ginger, turmeric and shiitake mushrooms.

Chicken Soup

Not only are pomegranates loaded with antioxidants, this tart, tasty fruit contains astringents that can cause body tissue to contract and help reduce swelling in the throat, which in turn diminishes pain. The perfect way to&nbsp;add pomegranates to your menu? This hearty salad stars Middle Eastern bulgur, almonds and juicy pomegranate seeds.

Pomegranate

Puddings&nbsp;and custards are recommended for those with sore throats, as their soft texture won&rsquo;t cause any further irritation. This creamy pudding makes for a comforting dessert with maple-sweetened vanilla pudding and soft banana slices. Skip the vanilla wafers to keep the recipe super soothing for a sore throat.

Puddings and Custards

Ginger is one of the most powerful weapons in your kitchen&rsquo;s arsenal when it comes to battling a sore throat, as it opens up sinuses and helps to clear mucous from the nose and throat. In addition,&nbsp;ginger&nbsp;also boasts anti-inflammatory properties. Sipping on a steaming concoction is the perfect way to soothe a raw throat with delicious warmth, and this gingery moscow mule is just the ticket.

Ginger

This fragrant spice is delicious and heart-warming. Plus, it can help combat colds and sore throats because cinnamon contains antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Want a sweet cinnamon option? These decadent gingerbread doughnuts get an extra pop of the spice from a delicate glaze.

Best Foods That Will Help Soothe Your Sore Throat

Oatmeal

Mashed Potatoes