The transitional weather often shifts from rainy to sunny, from hot to cold, etc,... leading to a significant increase in cases of cough and fever. So, is it safe to consume shrimps and chicken while experiencing a cough? Many people suggest that eating shrimps and chicken may worsen the cough.
1. Should we eat shrimp when having a cough?
There is no scientific evidence confirming that when we have a cough, eating shrimp worsens it. On the other hand, having a cough can cause fatigue and lead to a loss of appetite, especially in children. As a result, avoiding certain foods in general, and shrimp in particular, during this time is a specific mistake. This can worsen the diseases due to a loss of immunity from a lack of micronutrients and energy.
However, it is said that eating shrimps can cause coughing due to theỉr shells and claws. If shrimps are eaten without removing the shells and claws, they can get stuck in the throat, causing irritation and potentially leading to coughing. The flesh of shrimp, crab, or fish is not a reason for cough at all. On the contrary, shrimps, crabs, and fishes are rich in protein and easy to digest. Therefore, the opinion that avoiding "fishy" foods is necessary when children have a cough with phlegm and wheezing is inaccurate.
2. Should we eat chicken when having a cough?
Folk wisdom states that avoiding eating chicken when you have a cough. However, this belief is completely misguided. From a nutritional standpoint, chicken is one of the best kinds of meat due to its high nutritional value and protein content. Besides, chicken is rich in various micronutrients, particularly zinc and iron. Zinc is one of the essential nutrients that plays a crucial role in the immune system, boosting immune function and digesting easily. As a result, avoiding chicken when having a cough is not advisable. On the contrary, parents should include chicken in their children's meals when they have a cough to enhance their immunity. Thus, the idea of avoiding shrimp or chicken when coughing is absolutely incorrect.
3. Nutrition plan for children when they are coughing
The method of food preparation when coughing is noticeable. For patients, including those with a cough or cold, caregivers should pay attention to how food is prepared. Foods should be made soft, liquid, and easy to swallow to avoid irritation that can lead to coughing. Moreover, young children who are coughing may find it difficult to swallow hard foods, which can result in vomiting. Regarding the issue of coughing, shrimps should be peeled and chicken should be deboned, which can be used to make porridge or soup. This helps children not only eat more easily but also receive the necessary nutrients for a quicker recovery.
- Sea fish and shellfish with hard shells: shrimps, crabs, clams, and snails.
- Egg whites: Egg whites contain 23 different types of glycoproteins, which are the most common allergens that lead to food allergies.
- Some types of grains and seeds: wheat, peanuts, and soybeans. Peanuts are the most common allergy in children over 4 years old.
- Monosodium glutamate: can exacerbate asthma symptoms.
- Preservatives and food additives: can be found in many types of food and beverages, including nitrate and nitrite salts (commonly used as preservatives, flavor enhancers, and colorants), as well as parabens.
On the other hand, environmental factors such as bacterial and viral infections, neurological factors, and emotional changes are also risk factors that lead to prolonged cough in children and asthma. With the weather turning cold, parents need to pay attention to preventing cough in children. When children cough, parents should not be overly anxious but should focus on health conditions, enhance nutrition, and boost immunity to quickly recover their health.
To prevent children from coughing due to flu, pneumonia, bronchitis, etc., parents should ensure that their children receive all vaccinations according to their age. Vinmec International General Hospital offers a comprehensive vaccination program for children and adults, complete with full benefits and services. In December 2019, Vinmec is providing a special promotion for customers who purchase a complete vaccination package for children aged 0-1 and 0-2 years, which includes a free dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine for newborns (administered immediately after birth).
The thing to keep in mind about food when coughing is how it is prepared. For sick people, including cough and cold, the processing needs to be paid attention by housewives. Mothers need to process foods in a soft, liquid form that is easy to swallow, to avoid irritating itchiness leading to coughing. In addition, children with cough, eating hard foods will be difficult to swallow, leading to vomiting. For the problem of coughing, eating shrimp needs to be peeled, boneless chicken can be used to cook porridge, soup, ... to help children eat easily and enhance necessary nutrients and recover quickly.Sea fish and other aquatic products with hard shells: shrimp, crabs, oysters, snails Egg whites: This is because egg whites contain 23 different types of glycoproteins - these are common allergens. cause food allergies. Some grains and seeds: flour, peanuts, soybeans. Peanuts are the most common cereal allergy in children over 4 years old. MSG (monosodium glutamate): May make asthma worse. Preservatives, food additives: Found in many foods and beverages, nitrate and nitrite salts (usually used as preservatives, flavoring and coloring agents), parabens. In addition, environmental factors, due to infections, viruses, bacteria, neurological factors, emotional changes are also risk factors leading to persistent cough in children and asthma. With the weather turning cold, parents need to pay attention to prevent cough for children. When a child has a cough, parents should not be too worried but should pay attention to health problems, increase nutrition and resistance to quickly recover health.
To prevent children from coughing due to flu, pneumonia, bronchitis ... parents should vaccinate their children fully according to age. Vinmec International General Hospital provides customers with a package vaccination program from children to adults with full benefits and accompanying services. In December 2019, Vinmec offers a special promotion program for customers who buy a package of immunizations for children aged 0-1 and 0-2 years old to receive a free Hepatitis B Vaccine. neonatal (injection immediately after birth) to the baby.
- Vinmec uses high-quality vaccines with clear origins, ensuring safety from the importation and storage touse.
- Vinmec stores vaccines using a cold chain system that reaches GSP standards, with modern cold storage facilities keeping vaccines in optimal conditions.
- The team of experienced pediatricians and nurses can provide advice and handle complex vaccination situations.
- Strict process: Before vaccination, all children undergo a pre-vaccination screening by pediatric experts to ensure their health is suitable for vaccination. Doctors will advise families on the types of vaccines for disease prevention that are appropriate for each age group according to the latest recommendations from the Ministry of Health (Bộ Y Tế) and the World Health Organization, as well as how to monitor reactions after vaccination.
- With the advantage of a multi-specialty approach, Vinmec can effectively monitor and manage any issues caused after vaccination (if any).
- Modern facilities: The post-vaccination monitoring room is fully equipped with emergency equipment; the team of specialists and nurses is trained in managing anaphylactic emergencies to ensure prompt and suitable handling in case of incidents. The vaccination room is spacious and comfortable, helping children feel enjoyable and have a positive mindset before and after vaccination.
To contact Vinmec for detailed consultation on vaccination programs, you can get more information HERE.
