15 Great Recipes Ideas to Share with Someone Who's Sick or in Need (2024)

FAQs

What is a comfort food for sick people? ›

Hydrating foods like broth, juice and herbal tea. Soups like chicken noodle, vegetable-based or legume-based. Ice pops. Fruits and vegetables with zinc and/or vitamin C, including citrus fruits, berries, carrots, cantaloupe, kiwi, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, peppers, potatoes, and tomatoes.

Funeral potatoes, crocks of macaroni and cheese, cakes, pies, cookies, and the ubiquitous casserole exist for a reason, she says. These foods, it turns out, do more than satiate an empty stomach. They bring us solace during a time of need.

Refined white bread, crackers, and pasta are easy on your stomach if you have diarrhea or vomiting. Foods that reduce inflammation, such as fatty fish and green leafy vegetables, may alleviate cold and flu-related symptoms like body aches. Staying hydrated is essential, no matter your symptoms.

Feed sick people frequently and give them plenty to drink

Often a sick person prefers soft foods (e.g. gruel, mashed bananas or soup) or sweet foods. For a few days it does not matter what the person eats, provided he or she eats often; give a sick person plenty to drink every 1-2 hours.

Choose bland carbohydrates like plain rice, toast, crackers, or pretzels when your stomach feels queasy. These low-fiber options provide gentle nourishment while minimizing irritation. Ginger. Ginger has long been recognized for its ability to calm an upset stomach.

Truly comfort food at its finest, chicken pot pie represents the addictive marriage of a flaky, buttery crust with diced chicken, onions, carrots, and peas in a creamy sauce. While it's a dish that you can easily find pre-made in almost any grocery freezer aisle, we strongly believe that making your own is worth it.

Savory Pies: Quebec meat pie, Chicken Pot Pie, Quiche, Steak Pie. Casseroles: Lasagna, Macaroni & cheese, Tuna noodle casserole, Shepherd's pie – turkey, beef or vegetarian… Sauced Meals: Chicken Parmesan, Meatballs & Sauce, Ribs, Meatloaf…

Psychological studies. Consuming energy-dense, high calorie, high fat, salt or sugar foods, such as ice cream or french fries, may trigger the reward system in the human brain, which gives a distinctive pleasure or temporary sense of emotional elevation and relaxation.

Chicken soup

Chicken soup has been a go-to for sickness for generations — and for good reason. It's an easy-to-eat source of vitamins, minerals, calories, and protein, which are nutrients your body may need in larger quantities while you're recovering from an illness.

What is the best breakfast when sick? ›

Yogurt, oatmeal and other soft foods that are bland and easy to tolerate. Yogurt has probiotics, which help with gut health and prevent diarrhea. Ginger, turmeric and cinnamon. These spices have been shown to have some anti-inflammatory effects, so using these in foods when you aren't feeling well can help.

The BRAT diet consists of easily digestible, doctor-recommended foods that you may eat when you have an upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. BRAT stands for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast.

Eat regularly

If you cannot manage large meals, have a snack or small meal every 2-3 hours instead. Try foods like cereal, soup, milky pudding, trifle, mousse, stewed fruit and custard, soft cake, milk or yogurt, toast, cheese on crackers, or biscuits and milk. Try to eat the foods that you prefer, little and often.