Is It Okay to Eat Bread During a Fever? The Dos and Don'ts

November 13, 2025 •

4 min read

While your body is fighting an infection, its metabolic rate increases and it burns more calories to function properly. This often leads to questions about what to eat, prompting many to ask: is it okay to eat bread during a fever? The answer depends heavily on the type of bread and your body's specific symptoms.

Quick Summary

Eating plain, low-fiber bread like white toast can be a source of easily digestible energy during a fever, especially when dealing with nausea. However, it is best to avoid high-fiber, whole-grain breads and sugary, processed varieties that can place extra strain on the digestive system.

Key Points

Plain White Bread is Usually Okay: Simple, low-fiber bread like white toast is easily digestible and can provide necessary energy when ill.
Avoid High-Fiber Options: Whole-grain breads are difficult to digest and should be avoided to prevent stomach upset and discomfort during a fever.
Say No to Sugary and Fatty Breads: Pastries, sweet rolls, and rich, buttery breads can cause inflammation and hinder your immune response.
Focus on Bland Foods: As part of the BRAT diet, toast is an excellent choice for soothing a sensitive or nauseous stomach.
Prioritize Hydration: Your body loses fluids when feverish, so drinking plenty of water, broth, or electrolyte drinks is more important than solid food.
Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how you feel; if a particular food, including bread, causes discomfort, it is best to avoid it.
Opt for Nutritious Alternatives: Other easily digestible foods like soups, bananas, and oatmeal can also provide essential nutrients during a fever.

A fever is a natural immune response, and providing your body with the right fuel is crucial for a smooth recovery. While the old adage "starve a fever, feed a cold" is largely unfounded, it does hold some partial truth regarding digestive comfort. Your body needs energy, but a reduced appetite and sensitive stomach mean you should be mindful of what you consume. Bread, a staple for many, often comes into question during times of illness. Understanding the difference between types of bread and how they affect your body can help you make an informed decision.

Why Carbohydrates are Important During a Fever

Carbohydrates are the body's primary source of energy. When you are sick, your body is working overtime to fight off illness, which requires a significant amount of energy. Consuming carbohydrates helps to fuel your immune system and other vital functions.

Replenishing Energy: Fevers can cause your body to feel weak and fatigued. Easily digestible carbohydrates, like those found in simple breads, offer a quick and readily available energy source to help combat this exhaustion.
Providing Calories: For many people with a fever, appetite is reduced. Eating smaller, frequent meals or snacks of bland carbohydrates ensures your body receives the necessary calories to sustain itself without feeling overly full or nauseous.

The Case for Plain White Bread and Toast

When it comes to bread during a fever, simple white toast is often the best choice for several reasons:

Easy to Digest: Plain white bread is made from refined flour, which is low in fiber. This makes it gentler on the digestive system compared to whole grains. Toasting the bread can further break down some of the starches, making it even easier for a sensitive stomach to process.
Soothes Upset Stomachs: Bland foods are a key component of the BRAT (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) diet, which is traditionally recommended for managing nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Plain toast fits this category perfectly.
Less Irritating for Sore Throats: If your fever is accompanied by a sore throat, the soft texture of plain bread or toast can be more comfortable to swallow than crunchy or rougher foods.

The Types of Bread to Avoid

While plain white bread is generally fine, several types of bread should be avoided when you have a fever:

High-Fiber Whole-Grain Bread: The high fiber content in whole-grain bread and its products requires more effort from your digestive system to break down. When your body's energy is needed to fight an infection, diverting it to heavy digestion is counterproductive and can cause discomfort.
Sugary Breads and Pastries: Donuts, cakes, sweet rolls, and other sugary baked goods can cause inflammation in the body and interfere with your immune system's response. The added sugars offer empty calories and can hinder recovery.
Fatty or Rich Breads: Breads laden with butter, oil, or cheese are difficult to digest and can upset a sensitive stomach. Avoiding fatty and greasy foods is a good general rule when you're sick.

Comparison Table: Best vs. Worst Bread Choices for Fever


Feature	Best Choices	Worst Choices
Digestibility	Plain white toast, crackers, simple white bread.	High-fiber whole-grain bread, seeded or nut-filled loaves.
Energy Source	Provides quick, easily absorbed carbohydrates.	Can cause a quick sugar spike followed by a crash (sugary breads).
Added Ingredients	Bland with no added fats or sugars.	Full of added sugars, fats, and oils; hard to digest.
Stomach Comfort	Gentle on an upset or nauseous stomach.	Can cause bloating, cramping, or indigestion due to high fiber or fat.
Immune Impact	Provides fuel for the immune system without added inflammation.	Increases inflammation and can burden the immune system.

Other Beneficial Foods and Hydration

Proper hydration is the most critical element when you have a fever. The body loses fluids through sweating and increased temperature. Drinking plenty of fluids like water, electrolyte-rich beverages, and broths is vital to prevent dehydration. Soups and broths not only hydrate but also provide essential vitamins and electrolytes. Other safe food options include bananas, rice, applesauce, oatmeal, and lean proteins like cooked chicken or fish once your appetite returns. These are all easy to digest and packed with nutrients to support your recovery.

For more information on the best foods to consume, Healthline provides a comprehensive guide: The 15 Best Foods to Eat When You're Sick.

Conclusion

To summarize, eating bread during a fever is generally fine, provided you choose the right kind. Plain white bread or toast is the best option because it is easily digestible and provides a simple energy source for your body to fight the infection. You should actively avoid high-fiber, whole-grain, sugary, and fatty breads, as these can put unnecessary strain on your digestive system and potentially worsen symptoms. As with all things when you are ill, listen to your body and prioritize hydration and easy-to-process nutrients to support a speedy recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, eating plain white toast during a fever is often recommended as it is bland, low in fiber, and easy to digest, providing a simple source of carbohydrates for energy.

Whole-grain bread is high in fiber, which can be difficult for a weakened digestive system to process. It is best to avoid it to prevent stomach upset or discomfort while you are sick.

For toppings, stick to simple, easily digestible options like a thin layer of honey or jam. It is best to avoid high-fat spreads like butter or margarine, which can be harder to digest.

Some traditional beliefs suggest avoiding certain foods, like bread and dairy, due to mucus build-up, though medical evidence on this is inconclusive. If you find it worsens your specific symptoms, it is best to avoid it.

Plain, dry toast or crackers are excellent choices for nausea as they are bland, low-fat, and can help settle an upset stomach without aggravating it.

No, your body needs calories and energy from carbohydrates to fuel your immune system and recovery. The key is choosing simple, easily digestible carbs over heavy, complex ones.

Other safe and easily digestible foods include clear broths, soups, bananas, rice, and applesauce. These help keep you hydrated and provide necessary nutrients without stressing your system.

Both plain white toast and plain white rice are good, bland, easily digestible options. The best choice often depends on personal preference and which one feels better on your stomach.