Should You Eat Cold Things When You're Sick? A Guide

January 2, 2026 •

5 min read

While many believe that cold foods should be avoided when ill, the impact is often a matter of personal preference and depends on the specific symptoms you are experiencing. The notion that cold items, such as ice cream, cause or worsen a cold is a widespread but inaccurate myth.

Quick Summary

Cold foods can provide soothing relief for sore throats and help with nausea and hydration when sick. However, they may exacerbate coughs for some people. The best choice depends on your symptoms and personal comfort, emphasizing hydration and nutrients.

Key Points

Sore Throat Relief: Cold foods like ice cream or popsicles can numb a sore throat and reduce discomfort, making swallowing easier.
Nausea Management: For an upset stomach, cold and low-odor foods such as ice chips or chilled fruits are often easier to keep down than warm dishes.
Hydration Aid: Water-based frozen treats like ice chips and sorbet are an excellent way to stay hydrated, especially when drinking is difficult during fever or vomiting.
Cough and Congestion Caution: Cold food and drinks can sometimes irritate the throat and worsen coughing or congestion for some individuals; warm liquids may be more soothing.
Avoid Sugary & High-Fat Items: Overly sugary treats can increase inflammation, and high-fat items can be harder to digest, so opt for low-sugar or low-fat options when possible.
Trust Your Body: Ultimately, whether you eat cold foods when sick comes down to personal preference; listen to what feels most comfortable for your specific symptoms.

The Benefits of Consuming Cold Foods When Ill

For centuries, people have turned to certain foods and beverages to find comfort and relief while sick. When it comes to cold items, the benefits are often tied to specific symptoms and the simple fact that they can be easier to stomach. Here are some of the key advantages:

Soothing a Sore Throat

One of the most immediate and well-recognized benefits of consuming cold things is the temporary relief they can offer for a sore, inflamed throat. The cool temperature can have a numbing effect, similar to how an ice pack reduces swelling elsewhere on the body. This can make swallowing less painful and help you feel more comfortable. Items like ice pops, sorbet, and ice cream are popular choices for this reason.

Alleviating Nausea and Upset Stomach

When dealing with nausea from a stomach flu or other illness, the smell and warmth of cooked foods can be a powerful trigger. Cold foods, which tend to have less pungent odors, are often better tolerated during these times. Sucking on ice chips can be a gentle way to rehydrate when vomiting makes it difficult to keep fluids down. This is a common and medically supported practice for initial rehydration.

Aiding Hydration and Calorie Intake

When appetite is low, staying hydrated is crucial for recovery. Cold foods and liquids are an excellent way to accomplish this. Ice pops and ice chips provide fluids in a slow, manageable manner, which is especially helpful when dealing with vomiting. In addition, nutrient-dense cold foods like yogurt or a fruit smoothie can provide much-needed calories and vitamins when solid food is unappealing.

The Risks and When to Avoid Cold Items

While cold foods are beneficial in some cases, they are not a universal cure and can be detrimental for certain conditions. It is important to listen to your body and understand when to exercise caution.

Exacerbating Coughing and Congestion

For some individuals, especially those with coughs and chest congestion, cold temperatures can irritate the throat and potentially trigger more coughing. This irritation is thought to result from the shock to the throat's delicate lining, which can prompt an increase in mucus production and a persistent cough. In these cases, warm fluids, such as a hot tea with honey, are often recommended to soothe the throat and help break up mucus.

The Dairy and Sugar Debate

Traditional wisdom and some healthcare professionals have raised concerns about consuming dairy products like ice cream when experiencing respiratory symptoms, believing it thickens mucus. While scientific evidence for this is limited, some people report feeling that it does. If you are particularly sensitive, opting for a dairy-free alternative like a fruit-based sorbet or ice pop can provide the same soothing benefits without the potential side effect. High sugar content in many sweet, cold treats can also increase inflammation, which is not ideal for recovery.

Disrupting Digestion

Some traditional medicine practices, such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, suggest that excessively cold foods can disrupt digestion. While modern Western medicine indicates the digestive system is highly efficient at regulating temperature, some people may experience bloating or discomfort from consuming cold items, especially on an already sensitive stomach.

Cold Foods vs. Warm Foods: A Comparative Guide

To help you decide, here is a comparison of cold versus warm foods for different illness symptoms.


Symptom	When Cold Foods are Best	When Warm Foods are Best
Sore Throat	The numbing effect provides temporary pain relief. Think ice cream, sorbet, or popsicles.	Warm teas with honey and lemon or warm broth can coat and lubricate the throat, providing comfort.
Nausea	Bland, cold foods and liquids like ice chips and chilled fruit are easier to tolerate and have less odor.	Warm broths can be easy to digest but may not be appealing due to averseness to smells.
Congestion/Cough	Can sometimes worsen irritation or trigger more coughing by shocking the throat.	Steam from warm broth or tea can help open up airways and thin mucus, providing relief.
Dehydration/Fever	Water-based cold foods like ice chips and popsicles are excellent for rehydration, especially when drinking is difficult.	Electrolyte-rich broths also aid in hydration and replenish lost minerals.
Stomach Flu	Ice chips and clear, cold liquids are often the starting point for rehydration to avoid overwhelming the stomach.	Warm, bland broths can also work once the stomach can tolerate more.

How to Mindfully Consume Cold Foods When Sick

To maximize benefits and minimize risks, consider these tips when incorporating cold foods into your illness recovery plan:

Choose wisely. Opt for low-sugar, water-based options like fruit-based sorbets or homemade ice pops with real fruit juice to avoid excess sugar and potential inflammation.
Prioritize nutrition. A low-fat, low-sugar Greek yogurt can provide protein and probiotics, which are beneficial for overall gut health and recovery.
Listen to your body. Your personal preference is the best guide. If a cold item irritates your throat or stomach, switch to a warm alternative.
Don't rely solely on cold foods. While helpful for symptom relief, cold foods should complement a diet that includes nutrient-rich, easy-to-digest items like broth-based soups, bananas, and lean proteins.

Conclusion: Personal Comfort is Key

The age-old dilemma of whether to consume cold items when sick is not a simple yes or no answer. It is a matter of personal comfort and depends heavily on the specific symptoms you are experiencing. For those with sore throats or nausea, cold foods can offer welcome relief and support hydration. However, if you are experiencing a persistent cough or congestion, warm fluids are often a better choice.

Most importantly, remember that staying hydrated and nourishing your body with what you can tolerate is key to recovery, regardless of temperature. There is no scientific basis for the myth that cold foods cause or prolong a cold, so feel free to enjoy a soothing popsicle if it helps you feel better. Always consult a healthcare professional for persistent or worsening symptoms.

For more detailed information on nutrition during illness, refer to the medically reviewed resources on sites like Healthline.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, eating cold foods like ice cream does not cause a cold, which is caused by a virus. For some people, cold temperatures might irritate the throat and trigger more coughing, but for others, it can be soothing. It is important to pay attention to your body's reaction.

The belief that dairy increases mucus is a common myth with little scientific evidence to support it. While milk mixed with saliva can create a coating sensation that feels like thicker mucus, it does not actually increase production.

Yes, eating cold foods and liquids is perfectly safe when you have a fever and can aid in hydration. A fever increases the body's energy demands, so eating what you can to get calories and fluids is important.

For a sick child, water-based ice pops, fruit sorbets, and low-sugar yogurts are excellent options. These provide fluids and some nutrients in a comforting, easy-to-swallow format.

When dealing with a stomach virus, cold items like ice chips or clear liquids can be the best starting point for rehydration, especially when nausea is severe. Cold foods are often better tolerated due to less strong odors.

This saying is an old myth. Experts agree that the immune system needs energy and nutrients to fight off any illness, whether it's a cold or a fever. The best course of action is always to stay hydrated and eat nutritious foods as your appetite allows.

According to traditional practices like Ayurveda, consuming cold foods can slow digestion. However, the digestive system is highly capable of bringing food to body temperature. While some may experience minor discomfort, it is generally not considered harmful.