Food for Sore Throat: What to Consume and What to Skip

When you have a sore throat, choosing gentle, nourishing, and anti-inflammatory food is essential. These foods will not only be easier to swallow but also provide relief. Here are some good food choices that may help manage sore throats:

1. Warm Soups and Broths

Chicken soup and vegetable broths are good for sore throats. Chicken soup contains anti-inflammatory properties¹ that can help alleviate upper respiratory tract infections, including sore throats. The warmth may help relax throat muscles and clear mucus, making it easier to breathe.

2. Soft Food

Oatmeal is a good example of soft food to eat for sore throat. Not only does it provide a healthy amount of fiber, it's also easy to swallow, avoiding further aggravation in your throat. Other soft foods for a sore throat, such as rice, mashed potatoes, yogurt, and scrambled eggs, are also easy to swallow and gentle on an inflamed throat.

3. Honey

Honey has a long history as a natural remedy. Traditionally used for its soothing properties, honey has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects⁸. Raw honey contains propolis, a waxy substance with antifungal and antibacterial properties.²

4. Herbal Teas

Herbal teas like chamomile or ginger may provide relief from sore throats when you drink them warm, not hot. On one hand, Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties³ that help with throat irritation. Ginger, on the other hand, has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects that may relieve throat pain.⁹

5. Cold Food

Is cold food good for sore throat? The good news is that, yes, cold foods such as ice cream, popsicles, or cold yogurt may help temporarily numb the pain⁷, making it easier to consume other food and get your much needed nutrition.

Certain foods can alleviate pain, but others can exacerbate sore throat symptoms. Avoiding these can help prevent further irritation and discomfort.

1. Spicy Food

Many people wonder, "Is spicy food good for sore throat?" Unfortunately, spicy food can cause irritation⁴ in the throat. Chili peppers, hot sauces, and other spicy ingredients contain capsaicin, which can worsen the pain.

2. Acidic Food

Foods high in acid, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, and vinegar-based products, can increase throat discomfort by irritating the already tender surface of the throat.⁶

3. Hard and Crunchy Food

Foods with a hard or crunchy texture, like crackers, dry toast, nuts, and raw vegetables, can make a sore throat more uncomfortable. ⁶ Stick to soft, smooth foods that are easier to swallow.

4. Sugary Foods and Drinks

Can sweets cause sore throat? While sweets don't directly cause sore throats, consuming too much sugar can  suppress the immune system⁵ and feed harmful bacteria, potentially prolonging the infection.

5. Alcohol and Caffeinated Beverages

Alcohol and caffeine may cause dehydration, and staying hydrated is crucial¹⁰ when recovering from a sore throat.

Choosing the types of food you eat or avoid can help you manage your sore throat pain and speed up your healing. But if you’re looking for fast and effective relief, consider medicated lozenges like Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol + Amylmetacresol (Strepsils).

Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol + Amylmetacresol (Strepsils) contains active ingredients that help fight infection and relieve sore throat pain in as fast as 60 seconds and lasts for up to 2 hours.

What’s more, Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol + Amylmetacresol (Strepsils) come in a convenient lozenge format and a range of variants for mild sore throat, severe sore throat with swelling, and even dry and chesty cough. If you need help choosing a variant, visit our article Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol + Amylmetacresol (Strepsils): More Than Just a Sore Throat Candy.

• Understanding which types of food worsen your symptoms or help soothe your pain is is key to managing your sore throat and speeding up your healing
• Over-the-counter remedies like Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol + Amylmetacresol (Strepsils) help you get fast and long-lasting relief from mild and severe sore throat

If you need more guidance on sore throat causes, treatment options, or products that could help, visit the Sore Throat page.

If your symptoms last longer than a week or are accompanied by fever, difficulty swallowing, or swollen glands, it's best to consult a doctor.