How To Clear Congestion To Enjoy Every Bite This Thanksgiving Posted on November 26, 2025 by Arizona Desert Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists Thanksgiving, like many holidays, is a day filled with tasty food. Depending on how your friends and family celebrate, you might enjoy warm rolls fresh from the oven, roasted turkey, creamed corn and pie topped with whipped cream—even if you feel a little too full for a slice. With so many delicious options on the table, the last thing you want is congestion dulling the taste of your favorite dishes. How Taste and Smell Bring Holiday Meals to Life When you breathe in the smell of a freshly roasted turkey, tiny airborne molecules float in through your nose. These molecules bind to receptor cells located inside your nasal passages and mouth. Once they attach, the receptors send signals to your brain, which translates them into identifiable smells and tastes. Together, taste and smell form the foundation of flavor. When you take a bite of Brussels sprouts or dip into pumpkin pie, molecules released from the food stimulate both sets of receptors. Your brain blends the incoming signals so you can easily distinguish your vegetables from your pie. While you might not need help differentiating between those two dishes, you probably still want to get the whole flavor experience. How Congestion Disrupts Flavor Whether it’s caused by dry indoor air, a lingering cold, sinus inflammation or simply the shift into colder weather, congestion can block the pathways your senses rely on. When your nasal passages become congested with excess mucus, the smell receptors can’t receive or transmit signals properly. The result is bland or odd-tasting food. What You Can Do To Clear Your Nose If you start to feel congested before or during Thanksgiving festivities, a few simple steps can help restore your senses: Drink plenty of water or prickly pear juice from the Arizona Cactus Ranch throughout the day to thin mucus Take a decongestant at least an hour before dinner Run a humidifier to add moisture to dry indoor air Limit irritants like strong perfumes or scented cleaning products Clean to remove allergens If you know congestion tends to sneak up on you during the holidays, plan by keeping sinus-soothing tools on hand. Nasal irrigation or steam kits can do wonders and are readily available in most drugstores. Clearing congestion helps every bite taste just as good as you remember. If you frequently experience congestion or notice changes in smell or taste that don’t improve, contact Arizona Desert Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists today to schedule an evaluation. How Does Congestion Affect Sleep and How Can I Find Relief?What To Know About Dry Heat and Your ENT HealthManaging Nighttime Congestion for Better Sleep