When You're Sick: A Guide to What Chefs and Doctors Eat (or Drink) When They're Under the Weather
When you've come down with a bug, flu, or just need a hangover cure, what can help alleviate your symptoms? While some swear by traditional chicken soup, others rely on more exotic remedies. We spoke to chefs, doctors, and nutritionists to get the inside scoop on what works – and what doesn't.
For Dr Ricardo José, a consultant in respiratory medicine, hydration is key when you're feeling unwell. "Take frequent sips throughout the day to keep those mucous membranes moist," he advises. For an added kick, try warming up some lemony tea with strips of ginger and manuka honey – the latter's antiviral properties can't be beat.
If a dry, tickly cough is your nemesis, José recommends trying carrot syrup: simply shred carrots, cover them in sugar, and let it sit overnight. The next morning, strain out the liquid and drink up for a soothing throat coating.
Other chefs and doctors swear by more unusual remedies. For example, Dr Jenna Macciochi tries sipping on warm herbal teas with marshmallow root, honey, and slippery elm to help soothe an irritated throat. Meanwhile, chef Asma Khan is all about turmeric milk: boil some full-fat milk and stir in a teaspoon of ground turmeric for a powerful anti-inflammatory drink.
When it comes to soups, many chefs agree that warm, nourishing foods can be just what the doctor ordered. Emeritus prof Ron Eccles recommends tomato soup or chicken tikka bhuna, while Macciochi swears by garlic-infused broths with veggies like shiitake mushrooms for added immune support.
Of course, not everyone is a fan of broth – but those who love it swear by its healing properties. For Priya Tew, the only thing that gets her through a hangover is a trusty glass of plain Greek yoghurt to calm down an irritated throat.
When you're feeling generally run-down, some chefs turn to spicy remedies to perk up their spirits. Anna Jones makes a fiery "fire honey" by mixing lemon and orange zest with chili and ginger into a jar of honey – the result is a bright-orange sunshine in a jar that's guaranteed to lift your mood.
As for those pesky cluster headaches? Tom Zeller Jr swears by magnesium-rich foods like green veggies, peanuts, and bran cereals to reduce attack frequency. And when it comes to hangovers, Miers recommends loading up on vitamin-rich juices (celery, parsley, and apple do the trick) before raiding your fridge for some satisfying – and deliciously greasy – grub.
So what can we take away from these culinary remedies? For starters, hydration is absolutely essential. Take frequent sips throughout the day to keep those mucous membranes moist. Warm up some comforting soups or stews, and don't be afraid to get creative with spices and herbs to soothe an irritated throat.
And when all else fails, remember: a spoonful of honey can work wonders for your sinuses – just ask Dr Ricardo José! Whether you're battling the common cold, flu, or just need a hangover cure, these chefs and doctors have got some tried-and-true remedies up their sleeves. So next time you're feeling under the weather, don't reach for that trusty old chicken soup – instead, try one of these unconventional (and deliciously effective) fixes!
When you've come down with a bug, flu, or just need a hangover cure, what can help alleviate your symptoms? While some swear by traditional chicken soup, others rely on more exotic remedies. We spoke to chefs, doctors, and nutritionists to get the inside scoop on what works – and what doesn't.
For Dr Ricardo José, a consultant in respiratory medicine, hydration is key when you're feeling unwell. "Take frequent sips throughout the day to keep those mucous membranes moist," he advises. For an added kick, try warming up some lemony tea with strips of ginger and manuka honey – the latter's antiviral properties can't be beat.
If a dry, tickly cough is your nemesis, José recommends trying carrot syrup: simply shred carrots, cover them in sugar, and let it sit overnight. The next morning, strain out the liquid and drink up for a soothing throat coating.
Other chefs and doctors swear by more unusual remedies. For example, Dr Jenna Macciochi tries sipping on warm herbal teas with marshmallow root, honey, and slippery elm to help soothe an irritated throat. Meanwhile, chef Asma Khan is all about turmeric milk: boil some full-fat milk and stir in a teaspoon of ground turmeric for a powerful anti-inflammatory drink.
When it comes to soups, many chefs agree that warm, nourishing foods can be just what the doctor ordered. Emeritus prof Ron Eccles recommends tomato soup or chicken tikka bhuna, while Macciochi swears by garlic-infused broths with veggies like shiitake mushrooms for added immune support.
Of course, not everyone is a fan of broth – but those who love it swear by its healing properties. For Priya Tew, the only thing that gets her through a hangover is a trusty glass of plain Greek yoghurt to calm down an irritated throat.
When you're feeling generally run-down, some chefs turn to spicy remedies to perk up their spirits. Anna Jones makes a fiery "fire honey" by mixing lemon and orange zest with chili and ginger into a jar of honey – the result is a bright-orange sunshine in a jar that's guaranteed to lift your mood.
As for those pesky cluster headaches? Tom Zeller Jr swears by magnesium-rich foods like green veggies, peanuts, and bran cereals to reduce attack frequency. And when it comes to hangovers, Miers recommends loading up on vitamin-rich juices (celery, parsley, and apple do the trick) before raiding your fridge for some satisfying – and deliciously greasy – grub.
So what can we take away from these culinary remedies? For starters, hydration is absolutely essential. Take frequent sips throughout the day to keep those mucous membranes moist. Warm up some comforting soups or stews, and don't be afraid to get creative with spices and herbs to soothe an irritated throat.
And when all else fails, remember: a spoonful of honey can work wonders for your sinuses – just ask Dr Ricardo José! Whether you're battling the common cold, flu, or just need a hangover cure, these chefs and doctors have got some tried-and-true remedies up their sleeves. So next time you're feeling under the weather, don't reach for that trusty old chicken soup – instead, try one of these unconventional (and deliciously effective) fixes!
the thing that really stood out to me is how hydration is key when you're sick - taking small sips throughout the day can make a huge difference in how we feel 
and who knew ginger and manuka honey could be so good for us? 
it's also hilarious that some of these remedies sound like total weirdos (i mean, fire honey anyone?) 
but hey if it works right?! 
anyway i'm definitely trying out some of these ideas when i next get the sniffles 
... when you're feelin' crummy, your body's like "hey, I need some water, stat!" and if you don't give it to 'em, things can get real bad. but it's not just about drinkin' a ton of water, it's also about listenin' to what your body needs - if you're feelin' stuffy and all that jazz, try some warm tea with ginger and honey, trust me 
and i never knew magnesium-rich foods could help with cluster headaches i've been struggling with those lately so thx for sharing 
I mean, can you believe all these fancy remedies? I'm just gonna stick with a good ol' cuppa tea and some toast... or when I'm feeling really down, a bowl of my mom's famous chicken noodle soup 
. But seriously, hydration is key, right? Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is what gets me through a bug... or two... or three 
. Give me all the toast and noodles I can get! 
I'm not buying into all these fancy remedies and superfoods... mark my words, most of them are just a bunch of pseudoscience. And don't even get me started on the honey thing - what's next, putting a spoonful of sugar in your eye to make it better? 
and btw why do docs always say hydration is key its like duh water is essential lol 
And can we talk about how ridiculous it is that we need a spoonful of honey to cure our sinuses? It's like, hello, basic common sense 
Make healthcare affordable and accessible for everyone, not just the 1% who think they're above getting sick 