Tag: Illness and diet

When fighting off an illness, your immune system demands more energy, often triggering cravings for high-calorie, easily digestible foods. This is one of several biological and psychological factors that explain why we crave chocolate when sick, turning a sweet treat into a comforting pick-me-up during a tough time.

While many people experience a reduced appetite when feeling unwell, the body's energy demands increase dramatically when fighting an infection. Understanding this can help answer the question, "is it normal to want to eat more when sick?" The truth is, increased hunger can be a perfectly normal signal that your immune system needs fuel to heal.