Here's what people from around the world eat when they are sick (2024)

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Herrine Ro

2016-06-22T19:13:59Z

Here's what people from around the world eat when they are sick (1)

Different people swear by different comfort foods when they are sick — whether it's chicken soup in the US, borscht in Russia, or fish porridge in Singapore.

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We found 17 dishes from around the world that people eat when they're sick.

To create this list, we consulted a Quora thread,where people from around the world revealed their go-to comfort foods when they are sick. We also added in some of our own selections.

While some prefer lighter, blander meals that are easier on the stomach, others gravitate towards spicier, hotter foods to sweat out toxins. Regardless, these meals are all nutrient-rich in their own ways and help fight off sickness.

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India: Idlis

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An authentic breakfast item rich in protein and dietary fiber, idli are soft, spongeycakes that are made by steaming rice.

Quora userGayathri Vijayakumarlikes to eat idlis with sugar and curd when she is sick. For others, they prefer to eat it alone or in accompaniment with rasam, a spicy tamarind-based soup.

Phillipines: Arroz Caldo

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Growing up in the Philippines, Quora user Julie Kircher ate arroz caldo whenever she was sick. The Filipino take on chicken soup, arroz caldo substitutes Western classic egg noodles with rice. The soup is known to remedy sore throats because of its copious amount of ginger.

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Finland: Bilberries

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Similar to its close cousin the blueberry, the bilberry is tartand full of antioxidants.

Found in abundance in Finland, bilberries are considered a superfood and "traditionally been a source of refreshment and health," according to native Finn,Kari Autero.

Bilberries are eaten in a variety of ways, such as in soups or beverages.

United States: Chicken Noodle Soup

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A hearty bowl of chicken noodle soup is typically made with vegetables, chicken, and egg noodles. The hot broth is great for nasal congestion and inflammation, making it a great fallback for sick days.

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Japan: Okayu

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A steaming bowl of simmered rice porridge seems to be the ubiquitous heal-all meal for East Asians. Because the porridge is extremely light and bland on its own, people like Quora user Ellen Wa will often add umeboshi, or pickled plum to their okayu.The tart garnish also stimulates appetite for those with digestive problems.

Italy: Pastina

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When sick, Italians choose to eat “in bianco,” or bland food. For Alessandra Cri, pastina was something her grandparents made when she was sick. This miniature pasta takes form in various small shapes and is prepared by cooking the noodles in a pot of clear broth. Oftentimes the soup will also have olive oil, Parmesan, or chicken sprinkled in for added taste.

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Fiji: Rourou

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For Fijians like Quora user Sierra Tame, leafy vegetables have been a great source of nutrients when sick. Rourou, a traditional Fijian dish, is a popular dish of choice. Made by braising indigenous taro leaves in coconut milk, this fiber-rich meal is both comforting and simple to make.

Although some prefer it as is, others will add a splash of citrus to cut through the richness or add spinach into the mixture for added nutrients.

Singapore: Fish Porridge

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Plain rice porridge is topped with fish slices and seasoned with soy sauce and pepper. A healthy dose of ginger not only adds a fragrant component to the classic comfort dish, but also remedies a sore throat. According to Beatrice Tan, Singaporeans will find fish porridge at any local hawker center, or open-aired food stalls.

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Pakistan: Khichdi

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A hearty combination made of white rice and lentils, khichdi is a tried-and-true meal Pakistanisturn to when they are sick.

For added taste, ghee, or clarified butter, is usually drizzled on top of the porridge. Vegetables like cauliflower, potato, or green peas are also commonly added for extra nutritional value.

Norway: Cauliflower Soup

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A Norwegian classic, cauliflower soup has been a go-to sick meal for Quora user Petter Brenna Rian.According to Rian, cauliflower soup is "not only fairly easy to cook and delicious, but its easy to eat for a weak and sick child." Cauliflower is also great for digestive health, as it is rich with fiber and beta-carotene.

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Russia: Borscht

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The crimson colored soup is a go-to for sick Eastern Europeans. Made primarily of beets, this tart soup is a nutritional powerhouse in liquid form.

While borscht recipes vary depending on the chef, many versions call for vegetables like cabbage, onions, and garlice. The combination of borscht's vegetables make it rich in antioxidants and Vitamin C.

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Hungary: Garlic Honey

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A simpleblend of raw garlic and honey is what Hungarians use to remedy themselves when they are sick. Garlic cloves aresmashed into a rough paste and mixed in with honey.

Usually the combination is eaten by the spoonfuls, as often during the day as one likes.

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China: Noodle Soup

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Quora user Priscilla Li recalled her boarding school days in Beijing and wrote, "whenever a kid is sick, yet not too sick to be sent back home, he or she can have get from a smiling cook a big bowl of instant noodle soup with a poached egg in it," she wrote.

The soupy dish is easy on the stomach if the noodles are cooked long enough.While there are many variations, noodle soup often incorporates lard and diced tomato for additional flavor.

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South Africa: Burnt Toast with Marmite

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A slice of slightly charred toast and thin slab of yeasty condiment will ease an upset stomach or food poisoning. Although vegemite may be an acquired taste, the pungent spread is full of vitamin B’s and folic acid. Similar to the benefits of eating activated charcoal, burnt toast has been a folk remedy for inhibiting vomiting.

Quora user Rob Carlisle nominated this combination.

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Mexico: Albóndigas Soup

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Albóndigas, ormeatballs, are the star of this spicy, garlicky soup. The dishgets its distinctive taste from the generous handfuls of chopped mint and other aromatic herbs that are thrown into the light broth.

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South Korea: Samgyetang

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A local favorite, samgyetang is South Korea's version of chicken soup. The star of the meal is definitely thesmall, whole chicken that is usually stuffed with sticky rice, ginseng, garlic, and jujube.

South Koreans commonly eat this boiling hot soup on sick days to stay energized and increase physical stamina.

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Tunisia: Hot & Spicy Soup

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In Tunisia, the best type of cure-all for colds is spicy and hot soup. Boutheïna Ben Sedrine explained on Quora that there are many kinds, including barley, noodle, and lentil.

Because of their nutritional values,fresh vegetables and homemade tomato paste are essential ingredients for all of these varieties.