I power through it by eating "clean" food and drinking coffee to initiate a bowel movement because transient illnesses such as colds are usually associated with bacterial overgrowth and endotoxin from stagnant faeces. It may be 2-3 bowel movements and a night's rest before symptoms reside completely in certain individuals from a "cold" because the shit train is usually seriously lagging behind food intake before acute illness sets in. Most people get colds during stress, and that's exactly what will slow down the intestines. Since beginning to eat certain foods, colds are nearly impossible for me. Usually starches are what feeds the endotoxin producing bacteria, so their temporary or permanent removal from the diet is of great use. However, sometimes a seemingly safe dietary change causes colds because this will start to kill bacteria causing them to release endotoxin.
A search for "endotoxin antagonists" reveals many vitamins can counteract cold symptoms. Vitamin C has been controversial in the treatment of colds, but I think that's because the mechanism wasn't understood so effects weren't powerful enough in studies. If you take 2-3+ grams of vitamin C all at once (a fairly large dose), diarrhea is likely, and this diarrhea will speed up the removal of stagnant faeces.
Besides starches, omega-6 fatty acids likely contribute to the cold symptoms through the upregulation of leukotriene production. I think it is in all likelihood that leukotrienes are the most common cause of asthma, and the main differences between asthma, "nasal allergies", and sneezing + runny nose are that the specifics of asthma are from leukotriene overload in critical development periods so as to cause pervasive, lasting respiratory dysfunction instead of temporary. Leukotrienes affect you differently if your lungs grew up free of trouble in other words. I've cured my chronic allergic rhinitis of 9 years (!) since removing omega-6 fats from my diet, but it took over a year and a half to get consistent relief.
Milk is often advised to be abstained from during illness, but I don't think abstaining is universally beneficial. The problem with dairy is likely specific to A1 milk, which has opioids that slow bowel transit times. A2 milk and dairy which is not bovine do not have this feature. Milk is potentially good nutrition that aids recovery, so I would try to use varieties that don't promote constipation. Bread must absolutely be avoided as it comes with opioids and also feeds bacteria. Coffee or naloxone directly counteracts the opioids in common foods.
Coconut oil and vinegar have antiseptic effects on the intestines, and I think if starches must be eaten, the relatively safe way to consume them is with these items added. White rice is probably among the "safer" starches and bread among the worst. Potatoes vary. The addition of kimchi is a good way to improve rice. Kimchi contains certain bacteria that may help outcompete the more malicious strains. I've personally seen a positive effect on digestion from kimchi.