It is not uncommon for people to feel like their mouth is dry when congested or under the weather, especially with a stuffy nose. The stopped up nasal passages force you to breathe through your mouth, increasing dryness in the lips, throat, and mouth. If you are suffering from additional digestion issues, dehydration becomes a serious threat. Unfortunately, too many people choose to drink the wrong things when ill, making the situation worse.

Unfortunately, too many people choose to drink the wrong things when ill, making the situation worse.
This blog post focuses on staying hydrated when you are sick, but the right way. You need to understand the good drinks to consume and why you should avoid others.

Drinks To Stay Hydrated and Healthy

Healthy drinks provide the most benefit. These beverages will improve hydration without making digestive problems worse.

Water

The crowning jewel of beverages is water. When you are ill, you should consume more water than anything else. You will also want to drink more than you typically would if suffering from diarrhea or vomiting.

Some people have a hard time drinking glass after glass of H2O; you can fancy it up a bit. For example, you can add a bit of honey or lemon. Honey can help soothe a sore throat, while lemon improves taste.

Water works well because it helps to rehydrate mucus membranes, and because it is sugar and caffeine-free, it is gentle on the digestive system. However, there are other options for those who cannot take too much water.

Tea

Like ginger, herbal, and green, teas can also soothe upset stomachs and give the immune system a boost. Green tea is high in immune-boosting antioxidants and virus killing catechins. Ginger is well known for soothing gastrointestinal discomfort. And herbal remedies, like elderberry and echinacea, can soothe the throat and jumpstart the immune system because of varying plant compounds.

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Broth

Broth, and more specifically, bone broth, is the traditional solution to treating upper respiratory infections. There is some truth to the ritual as several studies corroborate broths' ability to help clear nasal passages and ease other respiratory infection symptoms. Additionally, bone broth is a source of protein for those who struggle to keep food down.

Drinks To Avoid

While there are drinks to help you feel better and keep you hydrated, some drinks will also do the opposite. If you are ill, it is in your best interest to avoid the following beverages.

Alcohol

While taking a swig of a hot or other alcoholic beverage may sound appealing for melting your troubles away, alcohol is one of the worst things you can drink. Not only can alcoholic drinks lead to inflammation, but they can also suppress your immune system response, meaning that indulging when your ill may prolong the sickness.

Soda and Sugary Beverages

Many people want ginger ale or juice when they are sick, but these drinks may contain high levels of sugar. Drinking too many sugary beverages can lead to increased blood sugar levels and a decrease in energy. These drinks can also cause gastrointestinal distress.

Coffee

While people may want to drink coffee because it is warm when they are sick, it is not a good idea. Coffee contains high caffeine levels, which has a diuretic effect, meaning it makes you pee more frequently. If you avoid water and drink coffee, you can make dehydration issues worse.

What is your go-to drink when you're sick? Leave a comment, and keep reading The Calorie Myths for more helpful tips and advice.

Although the skin is your body's largest organ, it can be easy to take it for granted or neglect it. On the other hand, maybe you're the type of person who invests in expensive creams, lotions, and treatments to keep your skin in good shape. Either way, you may be overlooking one of the biggest influences on your complexion: the foods you choose to put in your body.

Can what you eat affect whether you have wrinkles, acne, or other skin problems? Although your genes influence a lot of this stuff, it's also susceptible to environmental factors, including your diet! Although there is no magic food that will guarantee you a healthy, luminous complexion, making dietary changes is an excellent way to complement your skincare routine.

Foods That Nourish Your Skin

Although you may have seen some DIY facial mask recipes that are made entirely of edible ingredients, some foods help your skin when you eat them. One type of food that has benefits for your complexion is anything with healthy fats, including omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Think fatty fish, flax meal, and avocados. Both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids contribute to healthy, glowing, moisturized skin.

Another type of food that is great for your skin is anything that improves digestion. Proper digestion removes toxins from your body and helps nutrients get absorbed. When your body can use nutrients effectively, it shows it by giving you glowing skin and lustrous hair. Probiotic foods and beverages, such as yogurt and kombucha, as well as warming spices such as ginger and turmeric, have been shown to aid digestion.

Foods That Contribute to a Troubled Complexion

Although many people claim that eating fatty foods leads to breakouts, a bigger culprit is sugar. All refined carbohydrates act like sugar in your body, so they can all be blamed for a sudden bout with acne, even in older adults. Too much sugar can lead to inflammation, which your body expresses in many ways, including by giving you bad skin. Some people find that consuming dairy products leads to acne flareups, possibly due to the hormones in cows' milk. If this is a problem for you, avoid dairy. If you prefer to eat yogurt because of its probiotic properties, try a dairy-free version.

The Question of Hydration

Your skin needs to be well-hydrated to keep its glow and not start peeling or cracking. Although intensive facial moisturizers do wonders during the winter and light moisturizers do the trick in summer, there's another way to keep your skin moist all year long. You need to drink plenty of water every day, no matter what. Remember, your skin cells, like all other cells in the body, are primarily made up of water. Even your blood contains quite a bit of water. As you lose moisture through respiration, sweating, and so on, remember to replenish and rehydrate by drinking water. If you don't like the taste, add a squeeze of lemon or a mint leaf. Don't reach for sugar-laden sodas or energy drinks.

What you put in your body is as important as what you put on it. You could have all the fanciest serums and night creams in the world, but without proper nutrition and hydration, you aren't likely to get the results you want. What foods have you noticed either clear up your skin or do the opposite? Share your tips and tricks in the comments.

A great salad is about so much more than iceberg lettuce, some limp carrots and a drizzle of dressing. With these robust yet healthy alternative recipes, you'll feel sated for hours thanks to varied ingredients that provide a formidable combination of protein, fiber, nutrients and vitamins. Update your shopping list with the components of these three filling, fresh lunch or dinner salads.

Barbecue Cauliflower Salad

This Mexican-inspired vegan option packs plenty of veggies, not to mention a solid dose of flavor. Use the following recipe to throw together a quick lunch for two:

Chop the cauliflower into florets, then bake in a 350-degree oven for five to seven minutes. Take out the florets, brush them with BBQ sauce and bake for about two more minutes. Combine salad ingredients in a large bowl and top with the dressing of your choice. We prefer ranch, but look for a cashew-based version if you want to keep this recipe free of animal products.

Chicken Salad With Tortellini and Arugula

This simple spring salad uses a combination of pre-made and fresh ingredients to land on your table in just 20 minutes. For four servings, you'll need:

Cook the tortellini according to package directions, then mix with the shredded chicken in a large bowl. Next, mash the chopped garlic together with the salt to form a paste in a smaller bowl. Add olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest and black pepper, whisking to combine into a dressing.

Add the dressing to the bowl with the chicken and tortellini, then toss to coat. Fold in arugula and shallots, then top with shaved Parmesan before serving.

Superfood Quinoa and Chickpea Salad

This summer salad contains ample amounts of disease-fighting antioxidants. The following recipe makes four large servings:

Rinse the quinoa in warm water, then combine with bulgur wheat in a medium saucepan. Add a cup of cold water, then bring the pot to a boil. Reduce heat to a lower simmer and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Cook for 15 minutes, then let sit with the lid on and the heat off for an extra 10 minutes.

While your grains cook, preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Grease a 9x13 baking pan and add a layer of chopped scallions. Toss with 2 T olive oil and 1/4 tsp. each of black pepper and salt. Roast the mixture until a light char forms on the onions, about 10 to 12 minutes.

Puree the charred scallions with the rest of the salt and pepper, the Dijon mustard, and the lemon juice then slowly add the rest of the olive oil and blend in the food processor until smooth.

Toss the dressing with the finished grains in a large bowl. Add the remaining salad ingredients and toss to combine. Serve this filling grain salad at room temperature or even straight from the fridge.

Take meals in your home to the next level with these three innovative, nutritious salad recipes.