Can I Eat Junk Food with a Fever? Why It's a Bad Idea

November 12, 2025 •

3 min read

According to a 2018 study published in the journal Cell, a 'Western diet' high in fat and sugar can trigger a strong inflammatory response in the body, suggesting that indulging in junk food while ill, like with a fever, is particularly unhelpful. Your body is already working overtime to fight off an infection, so adding foods that can suppress your immune system is counterproductive.

Quick Summary

Eating junk food with a fever is ill-advised because it can worsen inflammation, impede your immune system, and cause digestive distress. Nutrient-poor and hard to digest, processed and sugary foods can actively delay recovery. Opt instead for hydrating, easy-to-digest, and nutrient-dense foods like broths, fruits, and lean proteins to support your body's healing process.

Key Points

Immune System Suppression: High sugar and processed foods can impair white blood cell function and increase inflammation, hindering your body's ability to fight infection.
Digestive Distress: Greasy, high-fat junk food is hard to digest and can worsen fever-related nausea, bloating, and stomach discomfort.
Increased Dehydration Risk: Junk food's high sodium content and accompanying sugary/caffeinated drinks can worsen dehydration, which is already a risk during a fever.
Empty Calories: Junk food lacks the essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants needed to properly fuel your body's recovery process.
Delayed Recovery: By placing extra stress on the body and providing poor nutrition, junk food can actively slow down your healing time.
Best Alternatives: Opt for nourishing, easy-to-digest foods like clear broths, soups, bananas, rice, and vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables instead.

The Detrimental Effects of Junk Food on a Fever

When your body is fighting a fever, it is in a state of heightened stress, and your immune system is working hard to neutralize the infection. The quality of the fuel you provide your body directly impacts its ability to recover. Junk food, which is typically high in sugar, unhealthy fats, and sodium, and low in beneficial nutrients, can hinder this process significantly.

Weakened Immune Function

High sugar intake can actively suppress the function of white blood cells, which are critical for fighting off infections. An influx of added sugar can cause a spike in blood sugar, promoting inflammation throughout the body. When you're already inflamed from a fever, this can make symptoms worse and divert your immune system's resources away from fighting the underlying illness. Processed and packaged foods, lacking essential vitamins and minerals, fail to provide the nutritional support your body needs during a battle with an illness.

Digestive System Strain

Fried and greasy foods, a hallmark of junk food, are notoriously difficult for the body to digest. When you're sick, your digestive system is often more sensitive and slower. Consuming high-fat foods can lead to bloating, nausea, and general gastrointestinal discomfort, adding more stress to your body's systems. This is particularly true if you're experiencing stomach issues as part of your fever symptoms.

Dehydration Risks

Many junk foods are high in sodium, which can contribute to dehydration. A fever causes increased fluid loss through sweating, and salty foods can exacerbate this effect. Additionally, sugary sodas and caffeinated drinks often consumed with fast food are diuretics, causing you to lose even more fluid. Staying hydrated is one of the most important things you can do to help break a fever, so anything that hinders this should be avoided.

Comparison: Junk Food vs. Healing Foods


Feature	Junk Food (e.g., Fried Chicken, Soda, Chips)	Healing Foods (e.g., Broth, Fruits, Yogurt)
Nutritional Value	Very low in essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber.	High in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and electrolytes.
Immune System Impact	Can suppress white blood cell activity and promote inflammation.	Provides nutrients like Vitamin C and zinc to support immune function.
Digestibility	High in saturated fats and difficult for a compromised digestive system to process.	Easy to digest, gentle on the stomach, and soothing to a sore throat.
Hydration	Often dehydrating due to high sodium and sugar content.	Excellent for replenishing fluids and electrolytes lost to sweating.
Energy Source	Provides a temporary sugar spike followed by a crash.	Offers sustained energy through easily digestible carbs and protein.

Better Food Choices When You Have a Fever

Focus on foods that are easy to digest, nutrient-dense, and hydrating to give your body the best chance at a quick recovery.

Hydrating Liquids: Water is paramount, but warm broths, herbal teas, and coconut water can also help replace electrolytes lost during a fever.
Broth-Based Soups: Chicken soup isn't just a comfort food myth; the broth helps with hydration and provides protein, while the warm steam can help with congestion. Vegetarian options with lentils or beans are also excellent.
Soft, Bland Foods: The BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) is recommended if you're experiencing nausea or digestive upset, as these foods are easy on the stomach. Oatmeal is another bland, energy-providing option.
Vitamin-Rich Fruits and Vegetables: Cooked vegetables and fruits like oranges, cantaloupe, and berries offer a boost of vitamins and antioxidants to support your immune system.
Probiotics: Foods like yogurt with live cultures can help promote a healthy gut microbiome, which plays a major role in your immune response.

Conclusion: Fuel Your Recovery, Not Your Fever

While a craving for comfort food during a fever is understandable, succumbing to the temptation of junk food is counterproductive. These foods, laden with sugars, unhealthy fats, and sodium, can increase inflammation, suppress immune function, and cause digestive discomfort, effectively delaying your recovery. The best approach is to listen to your body and provide it with nourishing, easy-to-digest, and hydrating foods that support its healing efforts. By choosing simple, nutritious meals and prioritizing fluid intake, you can help your immune system do its job more effectively and get back to feeling your best self sooner. For more specific dietary advice for your condition, it is always wise to consult with a healthcare professional.

Visit the official website of the Cleveland Clinic for more nutritional advice when sick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Junk food can make you feel worse because it is difficult to digest, lacks essential nutrients, and is often high in sugar and fat which can increase inflammation and suppress your immune system, delaying recovery.

Consuming sugary foods with a fever can increase inflammation and temporarily weaken your white blood cells' ability to fight infection. This means your immune system must work harder, which can prolong your illness.

Yes, processed foods can slow down recovery. They are low in nutrients and high in additives that can promote inflammation, diverting energy away from your body's healing process and making symptoms last longer.

No, it's not recommended. Sugary sodas and caffeinated drinks act as diuretics and can worsen dehydration, which is important to avoid when you have a fever and are already losing fluids from sweating.

Instead of reaching for junk food, opt for bland, easy-to-digest sources of carbohydrates like oatmeal or toast. These provide sustained energy without putting extra strain on your digestive system.

If you have a fever and no appetite, focus on staying hydrated and consuming small, frequent portions of nutrient-rich liquids like warm broths, herbal teas, and fruit smoothies.

No, the saying 'starve a fever' is not advised. During an illness, and especially with a fever, your body burns more calories. Eating nourishing foods, even small amounts, provides the energy and nutrients your immune system needs to recover.