Many people are attracted to comfort foods when sick, and that includes desserts. In some cases, however, certain sweets can worsen your condition. When you make a dessert choice, take into consideration whether you have an infection, a chronic condition such as a gallbladder problem, allergic reactions or symptoms such as nausea or vomiting. If you have questions about whether a particular dessert is appropriate for your condition, consult a health care professional.
Infections
Your body responds to an infection by producing more white blood cells and sending them to the site of the infection, where they engulf the foreign cells causing the infection. Sugar can significantly decrease the ability of white blood cells called neutrophils to engulf bacteria, according to cardiologist Royce K. Bailey, M.D. of Park Ridge Cardiology in North Carolina. Bailey says the effect of simple carbohydrates including sugar, honey, orange juice and fructose or fruit sugar on neutrophils can last for up to five hours. A dessert such as artificially sweetened gelatin or pudding may be the best choice if you have an infection.
Gallbladder Disease
If you have a gallbladder problem, foods high in fat may make your symptoms worse. Desserts made with heavy cream or lots of butter could trigger a gallbladder attack. Low fat choices such as fresh fruits, fruit cooked in juice with a little sweetener such as honey, pudding made with non-fat milk or meringue cookies are better choices for someone with gallbladder disease. You may find that citrus fruits or chocolate cause increase stomach acid and make your problems worse; avoid desserts containing these foods.
Allergies
If your illness is due to allergies, your dessert choices will be governed by your particular allergy. If you are allergic to eggs, choose fresh or cooked fruit with a little sweetened whipped cream. Cookie recipes are available that use egg substitutes instead of eggs. A wheat allergy means you must avoid things such as cake or cookies unless you can find gluten-free versions. A chocolate mousse or chocolate pudding make better choices. If your allergy is to milk, substitute rice or soy milk for puddings or in baking.
Symptoms
Sometimes it is not the disease that is the problem, but the symptoms. If you have diarrhea, bananas, apple juice and applesauce are good dessert choices as they contain pectin and will help solidify your stool. If you are nauseated, you may not even want to eat let alone try dessert, but you could sip some ginger ale or a lemon-lime beverage. Plain gelatin or apple juice may also be something you can swallow and keep down. If you are actively vomiting, don’t try to eat a dessert.
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