You know when you feel nauseous and exhausted and all you want to do is lay on the couch, watch Legally Blonde, and drink Ginger Ale? Yeah, we all have those days (especially us autoimmune warriors!). For me, these days tend to come a few times a year – I without fail get some sort of virus or infection just about every six months, and there is nothing to do but wait it out and take care of myself in the meantime.

But when bouts of sickness hit, nothing honestly sounds worse than a can of sardines or a big raw salad. Even foods that typically make me swoon, like steak or avocado, sound entirely unappealing to me at times like this. So, what is a paleo or Whole 30-ing girl to do when she gets sick?!

If you ever find yourself in this situation, you have come to the right place. Experience over the past few years has taught me that there are basically five paleo foods that you will almost always be able to stomach, no matter how sick you are.

1. Sweet Potato Toasts

This is the closest thing I can find to plain, dry toast on the paleo diet. Thin slices of sweet potato are easy to nibble on and relatively tasteless. I typically top my sweet potato toast with all sorts of goodies, but when I am sick I opt to eat it plain. If you feel up to it, try spreading a little ghee and sea salt on top.

2. Plantain Chips

Plantain chips are the perfect crunchy, salty food – kind of like a healthier version of a saltine. I usually like to dip them in guac or almond butter, but when I am sick I eat them totally plain. Even if all food sounds totally gross to you, I bet you will be able to nibble on these. (Side note: I usually buy Inka Plantain Chips online or at Whole Foods).

3. Soup

I think you all know I am a huge fan of soup, but I find it to be especially comforting when I am sick. Try blended soups (like my Smooth Vegetable Soup or Creamy Broccoli Soup) or a simple veggie soup that has been simmered for a long time to make the vegetables very
soft and easy to digest. I personally like to make sure I always have a jar or two of pureed soup in the freezer for days when I feel under the weather.

4. Bone Broth

Very closely related to the previous recommendation, anyone who is sick MUST drink bone broth. Bone broth is perhaps the single most nutrient-dense food on the planet and it contains a number of nutrients that are particularly important for healing (read more about the healing power of bone broth here). When you are sick, heat yourself up a mug of bone broth and sip on it all day (pro tip: make sure your bone broth is homemade or very high quality, like Kettle & Fire, if you want it to taste good). I guarantee you will start to feel better in no time!

5. Green Juice or Smoothies

I personally can never make myself eat many veggies when I feel sick, so drinking them in a smoothie or juice is the perfect solution. If you have a local juicery nearby, beg your sister or best friend to pick up a green juice for you. Or, if you feel up to it, whip up a quick smoothie with some greens blended in at home. Sipping on this slowly should get you some good nutrients without putting your stomach overboard.

 

I hope you don’t get sick, but if you do, let me know if these tips help you!!