How to Taste Food With a Stuffy Nose

Written by Editorial Team

29 August, 2019

The olfactory receptors in your nasal region work in conjunction with your taste buds. This is why when you have a stuffy nose, you often can't taste food as well. Tasting food better when you have a cold can be a challenge if you don't know what to do.

Add salt to your food. It out flavor in many foods and allows you to taste foods better when you have a stuffy nose.

How to Remove Food Stuck Behind Your Palette

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Blow your nose right before you eat. This will clear out your olfactory receptors temporarily, so you can try to taste the food you are about to put into your mouth. You might have to blow your nose repeatedly while you eat in order to better taste all your food.

Use a nasal decongestant medication or spray prior to eating. Because of the close link between your smell and taste sensations, you cannot taste bitter, sweet or sour very well at all without first clearing your passageways.

Functions of the Nose

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Eat foods that are high in flavor. Even after you have removed the nasal blockages from your nose, you still might not be able to taste very well. But if you eat foods that have a strong flavor like sweet mangos or peanut butter, you will be able to taste better.