What can't you eat if you have phlegm in your throat? List of 10 taboo foods and conditioning suggestions
Recently, with the seasonal change of influenza and the high incidence of respiratory diseases, "how to treat phlegm in the throat" has become a hot topic on the Internet. Baidu Index shows that related search volume has increased by 320% in the past 10 days, and the number of views of the #throat care topic on Douyin has exceeded 200 million times. This article combines the latest medical guidelines and hot discussions to sort out scientific taboos for you.
1. Top 5 popular throat health topics on the Internet (last 10 days)

| Ranking | topic | Platform popularity | associated symptoms |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dietary prescription for relieving cough and reducing phlegm | Weibo read 180 million | Thick and sticky phlegm |
| 2 | What to do if you have excessive phlegm after COVID-19 | Douyin play 9500w | Long-term expectoration |
| 3 | A guide to avoid foods for strep throat | Xiaohongshu collection 45w | Foreign body sensation in throat |
| 4 | TCM phlegm-resolving acupoints | B station video playback 320w | Can't cough up phlegm |
| 5 | Nursing care for children with excessive phlegm | Zhihu discussion 1.2w | Coughing up phlegm at night |
2. 6 types of foods that need to be strictly avoided if there is phlegm in the throat
| food category | represents food | adverse effects | Alternative suggestions |
|---|---|---|---|
| High sugar foods | cakes,chocolate | Stimulate mucus secretion | Sugar-free pear paste |
| dairy products | milk, cheese | Increase sputum viscosity | almond milk |
| Fried food | Fried chicken, French fries | aggravate inflammatory response | steam food |
| Spicy and exciting | chili, mustard | damage mucosal barrier | White radish soup |
| Cold drinks | iced drinks | causing tracheal constriction | warm honey water |
| Highly processed food | Sausage, canned food | Contains inflammatory additives | fresh fruits and vegetables |
3. Three phlegm-reducing dietary prescriptions that have become popular recently (recommended from tertiary hospitals)
1.Sydney tangerine peel drink: An Internet celebrity recipe with over 2 million likes on Douyin. Steam pear, tangerine peel, and rock sugar in water for 2 hours, twice a day.
2.Radish Honey Juice: Recommended by the Respiratory Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, adding honey to white radish juice has a significant effect in relieving phlegm.
3.Luo Han Guo Loquat Tea: The formula with the largest collection in Xiaohongshu, especially suitable for symptoms of excessive phlegm caused by tobacco and alcohol.
4. Doctor’s reminder: If these symptoms occur, you need to seek medical attention immediately
| Danger symptoms | possible causes | Department |
|---|---|---|
| blood in sputum | Bronchiectasis/Tuberculosis | Respiratory Medicine |
| Green purulent sputum | bacterial pneumonia | emergency department |
| A sharp increase in the amount of phlegm | Pulmonary edema | Cardiovascular Department |
| accompanied by chest pain | pleurisy | Thoracic Surgery |
5. Answers to 5 key questions hotly discussed on the Internet
1.Q: Can I eat eggs if I have phlegm in my throat?
A: Recently, Dr. Lilac pointed out that unless you are allergic, a moderate amount of eggs will not aggravate phlegm.
2.Q: Can I drink coffee if I have pharyngitis and excessive phlegm?
A: Weibo health celebrity V suggested that caffeine can irritate mucous membranes, so it is best to drink chrysanthemum and wolfberry tea instead.
3.Q: Should children with excessive phlegm avoid eating fruits?
A: The latest guidelines from Beijing Children’s Hospital show that cold fruits such as bananas need to be suspended, while apples can be steamed and eaten.
4.Q: When is the most effective time to take phlegm-reducing medicine?
A: The respondent from Zhihu Medical emphasized that expectorants should be taken on an empty stomach in the morning with 200ml of warm water.
5.Q: Do I need to completely avoid meat if I have excessive phlegm?
A: According to the Chinese Nutrition Society, lean meat can provide protein to repair mucous membranes, and it is recommended to stew it in a clear way.
6. Daily care plan recommended by experts
1. Maintain a daily intake of 1500ml of warm water, drink in small amounts and multiple times
2. Use a humidifier to maintain 50%-60% indoor humidity
3. Learn the popular "Tap on the back to expel phlegm" technique on Douyin (3 times a day)
4. Fast 2 hours before going to bed and raise your pillow 15 degrees
5. Wear a medical surgical mask to prevent dust and bacteria when going out
Note: The statistical period of the data in this article is from November 1 to 10, 2023, with comprehensive reference to Baidu Health, Tencent Medical Dictionary, hot search lists on various platforms, and the latest diagnosis and treatment recommendations from top tertiary hospitals. Please refer to your doctor for specific treatment plans.
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