Can I eat rice during a fever? The definitive guide to safe eating and recovery

December 4, 2025 •

3 min read

When you have a fever, your body burns more calories to fight infection, a process that can deplete your energy reserves and suppress your appetite. While eating might be unappealing, providing your body with easily digestible fuel is important, which leads many to wonder: can I eat rice during a fever? The answer is yes, plain white rice is typically a recommended option due to its gentle nature.

Quick Summary

Yes, plain rice is generally safe and recommended for a fever due to its easy digestibility. It provides energy without taxing a sensitive digestive system. Focus on bland, simple foods and maintain hydration for optimal recovery during illness.

Key Points

Plain White Rice is Recommended: It is part of the BRAT diet and is easily digestible for most people with a sensitive stomach during illness.
Fever Impacts Digestion: Higher body temperatures can affect digestive enzyme activity, making easily digestible foods like plain white rice preferable.
Prioritize Hydration: Eating rice should complement ample fluid intake from water, broths, and juices to prevent dehydration.
Avoid Heavy and High-Fiber Foods: Greasy, spicy, high-sugar, and high-fiber foods can worsen digestive discomfort and inflammation.
Opt for Bland Preparations: Keep rice simple and bland, avoiding rich sauces, heavy spices, or fatty additions that can tax your system.
Listen to Your Body: Only eat if you feel up to it and in small, frequent portions to avoid overwhelming your system.

Is Rice Safe to Eat During a Fever?

When you're fighting a fever, your body's priority is to combat the underlying infection. This intense metabolic activity often leads to a decrease in appetite and can make your digestive system more sensitive. Bland, easily digestible foods are therefore ideal, and plain white rice fits this description perfectly. In fact, plain white rice is a core component of the BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast), which is often suggested for those experiencing gastrointestinal distress, including nausea and vomiting that can accompany a fever.

How Fever Affects Your Digestion

Fever impacts digestion by disrupting enzyme function and diverting energy to the immune system. This makes it harder to process complex, fatty, or spicy foods. Bland, soft foods like rice provide simple carbohydrates for energy without excessive digestive effort.

White Rice vs. Brown Rice During Fever: A Comparison

Choosing between white and brown rice during a fever is important due to differences in digestibility and nutritional content.


Feature	White Rice During Fever	Brown Rice During Fever
Digestibility	Highly digestible due to a lower fiber content.	Harder to digest due to higher fiber and phytic acid.
Fiber Content	Low. Doesn't irritate a sensitive digestive system.	High. May cause bloating or discomfort when digestion is sensitive.
Nutrients	Often enriched with vitamins and minerals like iron and B vitamins.	Higher in natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, but may not be optimal when sick.
Energy Release	Provides a quicker source of carbohydrate energy.	Releases energy more slowly, which can be difficult for a weakened system.
Best For...	Acute illness, especially with nausea or vomiting, for easy energy and comfort.	Recovery phase, when your appetite and digestive function have returned to normal.

Plain white rice is the better choice during the initial phase of a fever for its gentle energy provision. Brown rice is more suitable during recovery when digestion has improved.

Practical Tips for Eating with a Fever

Here are some best practices for consuming food while you are recovering from an illness:

Start with Small Portions: Eat small, frequent meals as your appetite allows.
Prioritize Hydration: Drink plenty of fluids like water, broths, and coconut water.
Keep it Bland: Avoid strong seasonings, oils, and heavy sauces; simple is best.
Listen to Your Body: Don't force yourself to eat if nauseous. Focus on fluids.
Consider Rice Porridge: Dishes like khichdi (rice and lentils) are soft, digestible, and provide balanced nutrients.

Foods and Drinks to Avoid During a Fever

Some foods can worsen symptoms or hinder recovery during a fever:

Spicy and Oily Foods: Difficult to digest and can irritate the stomach.
High-Fiber Grains: Can be challenging for a sensitive digestive system.
Sugary Foods and Drinks: May cause blood sugar spikes and affect the immune response.
Caffeine and Alcohol: Contribute to dehydration and disrupt rest.
Dairy Products: Some dairy can increase mucus or be hard to digest for certain individuals.

Conclusion

When a fever strikes, focusing on easily digestible, nutrient-dense foods is key for a swift recovery. So, can you eat rice during a fever? Yes, plain white rice is a gentle and effective way to provide your body with the energy it needs. By opting for bland preparations, staying well-hydrated, and avoiding heavy or irritating foods, you can support your body's natural healing process. For further guidance on foods that aid recovery, you can refer to additional resources like Healthline's article on the best foods when you're sick. Always listen to your body and prioritize rest and fluids to help get back on your feet faster.

Practical Foods to Pair with Rice

Chicken Broth or Vegetable Soup: Add cooked rice to warm, clear broths for extra calories and hydration.
Mashed Potatoes: Combine mashed potatoes with plain rice for a soft, carbohydrate-rich meal.
Scrambled Eggs: A light protein source that pairs well with bland rice.
Cooked Carrots or Zucchini: Steamed or boiled vegetables are easy to digest and add vitamins.

Sample Fever Recovery Meal Plan

Breakfast: Plain white rice porridge or a small bowl of white rice with a soft-boiled egg.
Lunch: White rice with a simple chicken or vegetable broth.
Snack: Applesauce or a banana.
Dinner: Curd rice or plain white rice with a very thin, mild lentil dal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plain white rice is generally best for a fever because it is low in fiber and easy for a sensitive stomach to digest. Brown rice has more fiber and may cause discomfort during illness.

No, it is better to avoid brown rice during a fever. Its high fiber content and tougher texture make it harder to digest and can put extra strain on your system.

A reduced appetite is common with a fever because the body diverts its energy resources toward fighting the infection rather than focusing on digestion.

Other easily digestible foods include clear broths, warm soups, scrambled eggs, bananas, applesauce, and toast.

Bland foods are recommended because they are less likely to irritate a sensitive stomach and require less energy for digestion, helping your body recover more efficiently.

Yes, curd rice can be a comforting and digestible meal. The combination of plain rice and probiotics from curd can be soothing and support gut health.

It is best to avoid adding spices to your rice. Spicy foods can irritate your stomach and potentially increase inflammation, which is unhelpful during a fever.