Is it true that you should feed a cold and starve a fever?
You may have heard the expression “feed a cold, starve a fever” but it turns out that this is a myth and is not the way you should treat an illness. Your body needs proper nutrition and hydration when you’re sick, so no matter what type of illness you have, it’s important to find ways to eat and drink enough to keep up your strength and give your body the nutrients it needs to support your immune system.
The next time you’re sick, try these foods to ease symptoms and help you get back on the road to recovery. Also, don’t forget to stay well-hydrated by drinking water and other decaffeinated beverages.
What should you drink when you're sick?
Water is the foundation, but you have options if plain water is unappealing. Broth adds fluid along with a little sodium, which helps if you've been sweating with a fever or losing fluids to vomiting or diarrhea. Herbal tea, diluted juice, and decaffeinated drinks all count toward your intake. Sip steadily through the day rather than trying to drink a lot at once, which is easier on an unsettled stomach.
What foods should you avoid when you're sick?
Nothing is strictly off limits, but a few things tend to make you feel worse. Alcohol dehydrates you and disrupts sleep, and caffeine can do the same. Very greasy or heavily fried foods sit heavily when your stomach is already unsettled. Spicy foods are fine if they don't bother you and worth skipping if they do. If your throat is sore, dry and crunchy foods like chips and toast can scratch on the way down.
Is it okay not to eat when you're sick?
Missing a meal or two while your appetite is gone won't hurt you, and it's common when you're ill. Fluids matter more than food in the short term, so keep drinking even on the days when nothing sounds good. If you go more than a day or two without eating much, try small amounts of something easy — a smoothie, a few spoonfuls of yogurt, or broth — rather than waiting for a full appetite to return.
Does chicken soup actually help when you're sick?
Partly, though not in the way folklore suggests. The warm liquid helps you stay hydrated, the steam can loosen congestion, and the broth and chicken supply sodium and protein when you're not eating much else. There's some research suggesting chicken soup may have a mild anti-inflammatory effect, but it's limited. It isn't a treatment — it's an easy way to get fluid and nutrition down when eating is a chore.
