Best Foods for Cough: 7 Options to Try

Honey, broth-based soup and oatmeal are among the best foods for a cough because they may soothe throat irritation and make eating more comfortable. The right choice depends on what you can tolerate and whether your cough comes with a sore throat or reduced appetite. For hydration options alongside meals, see the best drinks for cough.

What are 7 foods to try for a cough?

These seven foods are comfort measures, not treatments for the cause of a cough. If you want help organizing your symptoms before seeking care, the AI symptom analyzer may be useful, but it cannot diagnose you or replace a clinician.

Honey has some evidence for short-term cough relief in children aged 1 year and older. For most other foods on this list, there is no clear evidence that they directly reduce coughing; their value is mainly that they are easy to eat, soothing or nourishing. The amounts below are serving suggestions, not prescribed doses.

1. Honey

Honey may temporarily soothe an irritated throat and ease a cough. It has more support for short-term cough relief in children aged 1 year and older than the other foods listed here, although the benefit can vary and it will not treat the underlying cause.

Adults and children aged 1 year and older can try 1 teaspoon (5 mL) on its own or mixed into a small serving of warm oatmeal. Choose a temperature that feels comfortable rather than hot enough to burn the mouth or throat. Honey contains sugar, so account for it if you monitor your blood sugar.

Never give honey to a baby younger than 1 year, even when it is mixed into food. It can cause infant botulism.

2. Broth-based soup

A warm broth-based soup can be comfortable to swallow when coughing has left your throat sore. Its liquid also contributes to hydration, while ingredients such as cooked vegetables, beans or chicken can make it a more substantial meal.

Try a small bowl, about 1 cup (240 mL), and let it cool to a comfortable temperature. Choose soft ingredients or blend the soup if chewing and swallowing are uncomfortable. A lower-sodium broth can be useful if you need to limit salt.

There is no clear evidence that broth-based soup itself stops a cough. Its main benefit is practical: it can make fluids and food easier to take in when you do not feel like eating a larger meal.

3. Oatmeal

Soft, moist oatmeal is gentle to eat when a cough comes with throat irritation. It also provides energy when your appetite is low. Its texture matters more than any special cough-fighting property: dry or lumpy food may be less comfortable for some people.

Try about 1/2 cup (120 mL) of cooked oatmeal. Add enough water or milk to keep it soft, and allow it to cool until comfortably warm. A little honey can add flavor for adults and children aged 1 year and older; skip it for younger babies.

Oatmeal has not been shown to treat the cause of a cough. Use it as an easy meal, not as a substitute for medical care if symptoms are concerning.

4. Plain yogurt

Plain yogurt is soft, needs little preparation and supplies protein. Its cool temperature may feel soothing to some people, although others may prefer it closer to room temperature. Choose the texture and temperature that feel best to you.

A serving of about 1/2 cup (120 mL) is a reasonable place to start. If you want sweetness, mix in a small amount of applesauce. Choose a yogurt that fits your dietary needs, and avoid it if you have a milk allergy or find that it causes digestive discomfort.

Yogurt is not a proven cough treatment. Dairy foods do not generally cause the body to produce more mucus, though some people notice a temporary sensation of thickness in the mouth or throat after eating them.

5. Unsweetened applesauce

Applesauce is soft and moist, so it can be easier to manage than crunchy fruit when your throat feels irritated. It also offers an option for times when a full meal seems unappealing. It does not need to be eaten hot to be useful; choose a temperature that feels comfortable.

Try about 1/2 cup (120 mL) of unsweetened applesauce on its own or alongside oatmeal or yogurt. Unsweetened varieties let you control any added sugar. If applesauce tastes too acidic or stings your throat, choose a different soft food instead.

There is no clear evidence that applesauce directly reduces a cough. Its role is to make eating more comfortable while you recover or seek advice about the cause.

6. Mashed potatoes

Mashed potatoes provide a soft, filling source of energy. They can be especially useful when a cough and sore throat make dry, rough foods less appealing. Moistening them makes them easier to swallow comfortably.

Start with about 1/2 cup (120 mL) of mashed potatoes, prepared with enough water, milk or broth to create a soft texture. Serve them warm rather than piping hot. Add a soft protein food, such as cooked eggs, if you feel ready for a more complete meal.

Mashed potatoes have no established effect on coughing itself. Their benefit is that they can help you eat a familiar meal without irritating a tender throat as much as a crisp or heavily seasoned food might.

7. Scrambled eggs

Soft scrambled eggs provide protein and can be easier to chew than firmer meats when you have a cough and sore throat. Protein-containing foods are useful as part of regular meals, but eggs do not specifically target a cough.

Try one well-cooked egg, scrambled until soft, and serve it at a comfortable temperature. Pair it with moist oatmeal or mashed potatoes if you want a more filling meal. Avoid eggs if you have an egg allergy.

There is no clear evidence that eating eggs reduces coughing. They are an option for maintaining a varied diet when your appetite or comfort makes your usual meals difficult.

Which foods should you limit with a cough?

Limit foods that irritate your throat or consistently make your symptoms feel worse. Dry, sharp or crunchy foods, such as hard crackers or chips, can scratch a tender throat. Very hot foods can cause burns, so let meals cool before eating.

Spicy foods and acidic foods may sting an already sore throat. They can also aggravate reflux for some people, and reflux can be associated with coughing. You do not need to avoid these foods if you tolerate them comfortably, but it is reasonable to choose milder options while your throat is irritated.

Consider limiting heavily salted soups and processed foods if you have been advised to reduce sodium. Sugary foods are not automatically harmful when you have a cough, but they should not replace regular meals; people who monitor blood sugar should count honey and other sweet foods as they normally would.

There is no need to cut out an entire food group solely because you are coughing. Focus on foods you can eat comfortably and on getting a variety of foods as your appetite allows.

Who should be careful, and when should you see a doctor?

Infants younger than 1 year must not have honey. For young children, offer age-appropriate textures and avoid foods that pose a choking risk. A baby younger than 3 months with a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher needs urgent medical evaluation.

If you have asthma, chronic lung disease, a weakened immune system or another condition that makes respiratory illness riskier, contact a clinician for advice about a new or worsening cough. During pregnancy, ask a clinician or pharmacist before taking cough medicines or supplements. Some medications can cause a cough; ask your prescriber about a possible connection rather than stopping a medicine on your own.

Seek emergency care for severe trouble breathing, blue or gray lips, significant chest pain, new confusion, or coughing up more than small streaks of blood. Contact a clinician promptly about any blood in mucus, a worsening cough, or symptoms that improve and then return or worsen. An adult whose cough lasts more than 3 weeks should also seek medical advice. Food can improve comfort, but it cannot rule out or treat a serious cause.