Can I Take Soup During a Fever for Rehydration and Nutrition?

November 13, 2025 •

3 min read

Despite the old adage to "starve a fever," modern medical advice confirms that consuming nourishing foods and fluids is essential for recovery. So, can I take soup during a fever? Absolutely, and in fact, it is one of the best things you can consume to support your body while it fights off an infection.

Quick Summary

Soup is an excellent choice during a fever as it provides essential fluids, electrolytes, and nutrients that aid in rehydration and immune support. The warmth helps soothe a sore throat and clear congestion, while the easy-to-digest nature ensures your body gets the fuel it needs for recovery without causing digestive upset.

Key Points

Hydration is Key: Soups, especially broths, are excellent for replacing fluids lost from sweating during a fever.
Replenish Electrolytes: Sodium and potassium are lost when you sweat, and soup helps to replenish these vital minerals.
Soothes Symptoms: The warmth of the soup helps to clear nasal congestion and soothe a sore throat.
Provides Nutrients and Energy: Soups offer essential vitamins, minerals, and calories that power your immune system for a faster recovery.
Easy on Digestion: When your appetite is low, soup is a gentle and easily digestible way to get the nutrition you need.
Choose Wisely: Stick to broth-based or vegetable soups and avoid heavy, creamy, or overly spicy soups that can cause digestive irritation.

The Power of Soup: More Than Just Comfort

For generations, a bowl of warm soup has been a go-to remedy for illness, and science backs up this tradition. A fever increases the body's metabolic rate, requiring more calories and nutrients to function effectively and fight off infection. Additionally, fevers can cause dehydration due to increased sweating, and soups—especially broth-based ones—are an excellent way to replenish lost fluids and electrolytes. The easy digestibility of soup is also a major benefit when your appetite is low or your stomach is sensitive.

How Soup Helps During a Fever

Prevents Dehydration: The high fluid content in soup, especially clear broths, helps to replace the water lost through sweating during a fever, maintaining proper hydration levels.
Replenishes Electrolytes: Electrolytes like sodium and potassium are lost during sweating. Soup, particularly those with a broth base, helps replenish these crucial minerals needed for bodily functions.
Provides Nutrients: Nutrient-rich ingredients in soup, such as vegetables, chicken, and legumes, provide essential vitamins, minerals, and protein needed to bolster the immune system.
Soothes Symptoms: The warmth of a hot soup helps to soothe a sore throat and acts as a natural decongestant by thinning mucus and clearing nasal passages.
Easy to Digest: When your body is fighting an infection, your digestive system may be sluggish. Soups are soft and easy on the stomach, allowing you to absorb calories and nutrients with minimal effort.

Choosing the Right Soup for Your Needs

Not all soups are created equal, especially when you are recovering from a fever. The best choices are those with simple, wholesome ingredients that are easy on your stomach. Some examples include:

Chicken Soup: The classic remedy, known for its mix of protein, electrolytes, and anti-inflammatory properties that can help ease congestion.
Vegetable Broth: An excellent vegetarian option for pure hydration and a good dose of vitamins and minerals from cooked vegetables.
Lentil or Dal Soup: A great source of easy-to-digest protein and fiber, helping to boost energy levels without stressing the stomach.
Mushroom Soup: Rich in vitamin D, mushrooms can boost immunity, while a warm mushroom soup with ginger and black pepper can help with fever and sore throat.

Soups to Consider and Soups to Avoid

To help you make the best choices while unwell, here is a comparison of different soup types.


Soup Type	Recommended For Fever?	Benefits	Avoid If...
Clear Broth (Chicken or Vegetable)	Yes	Excellent for hydration and electrolyte replenishment. Soothes throat and provides warmth.	Your appetite is completely gone and you need more substance.
Cream-Based Soups (e.g., Cream of Mushroom)	No	Contains dairy and heavy fats, which can be harder for a sensitive stomach to digest and may cause inflammation.	You have a sensitive stomach or digestive issues.
Spicy Soups (e.g., Thai Curry Soup)	Proceed with Caution	Can help clear congestion due to capsaicin.	The spices cause stomach irritation or discomfort. Stick to milder options.
Hearty Vegetable and Lentil Soup	Yes	Provides protein, fiber, and essential nutrients. Sustains energy levels.	You are feeling nauseous and solid foods are difficult to keep down.

The Importance of Hydration and Nutrition During Illness

Your body expends a lot of energy fighting off an infection, and proper nourishment is critical for a speedy recovery. Ignoring your nutritional needs or strictly following the outdated "starve a fever" advice can prolong your illness and leave you feeling weaker. The immune system requires adequate calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals to function optimally. By opting for easy-to-digest, nutrient-rich foods like soup, you are actively supporting your body's healing process. While soup is a valuable tool, it's just one part of a comprehensive strategy. Resting, drinking plenty of fluids like water and herbal tea, and following a balanced diet are all crucial components of recovering from a fever.

Conclusion

In summary, taking soup during a fever is not only safe but also highly beneficial. It serves as a source of hydration, electrolytes, and essential nutrients that fuel your immune system and soothe common symptoms like a sore throat and congestion. For best results, opt for simple, broth-based varieties or nutrient-dense vegetable soups, and avoid heavy, creamy, or overly spicy versions that could upset a sensitive stomach. As always, listen to your body and consult a healthcare provider for any persistent or severe symptoms. For more information on staying healthy during illness, you can visit authoritative sources like the Mayo Clinic to understand the dangers of dehydration during a fever.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear, broth-based soups like chicken or vegetable soup are best, as they are hydrating, easy to digest, and rich in electrolytes and nutrients. Avoid heavy, cream-based, or overly spicy soups.

Yes, soup is an excellent way to combat dehydration. The high fluid content helps replace water lost through sweating, and the electrolytes (like sodium) in the broth aid in fluid absorption.

Hot soup is generally more beneficial. The warmth helps soothe a sore throat and the steam can act as a natural decongestant to clear stuffy sinuses. However, avoid soup that is too hot, which could further irritate your throat.

If you have an appetite, eating the solid components is highly recommended. The protein from chicken and nutrients from cooked vegetables provide the energy and building blocks your body needs to recover. If you feel nauseous, stick to just the broth.

Both canned and homemade soup can be beneficial. Canned soup offers similar benefits, but be mindful of the sodium content. Homemade soup allows you to control the ingredients and add extra immune-boosting elements like garlic and ginger.

If your appetite is completely gone, focus on drinking fluids to stay hydrated. Small sips of clear broth or electrolyte drinks are a good starting point. Gradually reintroduce easy-to-digest foods as you feel better.

No, this is an outdated myth. Medical experts now advise nourishing the body with fluids and easy-to-digest foods like soup during a fever to support the immune system and promote a faster recovery.