What is the best diet to follow with a fever?

December 27, 2025 •

3 min read

When you have a fever, your body's metabolic rate increases to fight off infection, burning more calories and raising the risk of dehydration. Discover what is the best diet to follow with a fever to properly nourish your body and support a faster recovery.

Quick Summary

This guide covers the optimal dietary strategy for fever, emphasizing hydration and easily digestible, nutrient-rich foods to fuel your immune system. Learn which foods aid recovery and which ones to avoid for better comfort and a faster return to health.

Key Points

Prioritize Hydration: Your main focus should be on drinking plenty of fluids like water, broths, and coconut water to combat fluid loss from sweating.
Choose Easy-to-Digest Foods: Opt for soft, bland, and nutrient-dense foods such as soups, cooked vegetables, and bananas to fuel your body without taxing your digestive system.
Debunk the 'Starve a Fever' Myth: A fever increases your body's caloric needs, so eating nutritious food is necessary to provide energy for your immune system to fight infection.
Incorporate Immune-Boosting Nutrients: Include foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants like fruits, vegetables, ginger, and garlic to support your immune response.
Avoid Inflammatory Foods: Steer clear of greasy, sugary, and highly processed foods, as well as alcohol and caffeine, which can increase inflammation and dehydration.

Hydration is Your Highest Priority

Staying hydrated is the single most important aspect of a diet when you have a fever. Elevated body temperature from a fever leads to increased fluid loss through sweating. Without sufficient fluid intake, your body can become dehydrated, which can worsen symptoms and hinder recovery.

Why Fluids are Critical

Regulates Body Temperature: Fluids are crucial for modulating body temperature.
Flushes Toxins: Proper hydration helps flush out toxins from your system.
Replenishes Electrolytes: Sweating can deplete your body of important electrolytes like sodium and potassium. Broths and electrolyte drinks help restore this balance.
Thins Mucus: For those with a fever accompanied by respiratory symptoms, hot fluids like tea or soup can help thin mucus and relieve congestion.

Best Hydrating Drinks

Water: The most basic and essential fluid.
Broths (Chicken or Vegetable): Excellent for providing fluids, electrolytes, and some protein.
Coconut Water: A natural source of electrolytes, including potassium.
Herbal Teas: Warm and soothing, herbal teas can also provide antioxidants.
Fresh Fruit Juices: Small amounts can provide vitamins and energy, but be cautious of high sugar content.

Nutrient-Dense, Easy-to-Digest Foods

Your appetite may decrease during a fever, but your body still needs fuel to fight the infection. The focus should be on nutrient-dense foods that are easy to digest. These foods provide the vitamins, minerals, and calories necessary to power your immune system without putting extra strain on your digestive system.

Top Foods to Include

Protein-Rich Foods: Proteins are vital for building antibodies. Good options include eggs, lean poultry, fish, and easily digestible pulses.
Fruits and Vegetables: Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, they support immune function. Opt for soft fruits like bananas, avocados, and cooked vegetables rather than raw, fibrous ones.
Probiotic Foods: Greek yogurt or other fermented foods can enhance gut health and immune response.
Bland Carbohydrates: Simple carbohydrates like properly cooked white rice or oatmeal are easy on the stomach and provide energy.
Ginger and Garlic: Both have known anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.

The “Starve a Fever” Myth Debunked

The old adage "feed a cold, starve a fever" is a myth. During a fever, your metabolism works in overdrive, increasing your caloric needs. Not eating enough can deprive your body of the energy required for healing, potentially prolonging the illness. The key is to eat right—prioritizing easily digestible, nutrient-rich foods over heavy, high-fat, or high-sugar meals.

Comparison Table: Fever-Friendly Foods vs. Foods to Avoid


Fever-Friendly Foods	Description	Foods to Avoid	Description
Chicken Soup & Broths	Hydrating, replenishes electrolytes, and provides protein.	Greasy, Fried Foods	Difficult to digest, placing extra stress on the body.
Cooked Vegetables	Softer and easier to digest than raw vegetables, offering essential nutrients.	Excessively Spicy Foods	Can cause stomach irritation and discomfort.
Bananas & Avocados	Bland, easy to eat, and rich in potassium and healthy fats.	Sugary Treats & Drinks	Can increase inflammation and hinder the immune system.
Greek Yogurt	Provides protein and probiotics to support gut and immune health.	Caffeine & Alcohol	Both are diuretics that contribute to dehydration.
Herbal Tea with Honey	Soothing for a sore throat and provides anti-inflammatory benefits.	Raw, High-Fiber Foods	Can cause digestive discomfort when the system is compromised.

Conclusion

When a fever strikes, your dietary choices can significantly impact your recovery. The most important strategy is to prioritize hydration with fluids like water, broths, and coconut water to prevent dehydration and regulate your body temperature. Secondly, focus on providing your body with easily digestible, nutrient-dense foods such as chicken soup, soft fruits, and cooked vegetables to supply the energy and vitamins needed for a strong immune response. Avoid heavy, greasy, or sugary foods that can hinder your recovery. By adhering to these simple dietary guidelines, you can effectively support your body's natural healing process and get back on your feet faster. As always, consult a healthcare provider for severe or prolonged fevers.

For more detailed nutritional information and recipes for wellness, consider visiting the Harvard Health Publishing website.(https://www.health.harvard.edu/)

Best Foods for Fever Recovery

Broths and Soups: Provides hydration, electrolytes, and protein in an easy-to-digest form.
Hydrating Liquids: Includes water, coconut water, and herbal teas to prevent dehydration.
Soft Fruits: Bananas, avocados, and stewed apples offer vitamins and are easy on the stomach.
Probiotics: Greek yogurt and other fermented foods can support a healthy gut and immune system.
Bland Carbs: Rice porridge, oatmeal, or toast can provide energy without irritating your digestive system.
Lean Protein: Soft-cooked eggs, chicken, or fish can help build antibodies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fever causes your body to lose fluids through increased sweating, leading to dehydration. Proper hydration helps regulate body temperature, flush out toxins, and replenish lost electrolytes, supporting a quicker recovery.

You should not force yourself to eat if you have no appetite. Instead, focus on staying hydrated with fluids like water, broths, and herbal tea. When you do feel hungry, choose small, frequent portions of easy-to-digest, nutrient-rich foods.

Clear, warm broths like chicken or vegetable soup are ideal. They provide fluid, electrolytes, and easy-to-digest calories. The warmth can also help soothe a sore throat and clear congestion.

Yes, but it's best to eat them cooked or choose soft fruits. Cooked vegetables are easier to digest than raw ones, while fruits like bananas and avocados provide nutrients without much effort from your digestive system.

Excessive sugar can cause inflammation in the body and may suppress your immune system's response. It is best to avoid cakes, candy, sodas, and other highly processed sugary items during a fever.

The notion to 'starve a fever' is a myth. During a fever, your body's metabolism increases to fight infection, requiring more calories. Eating nutritious, easy-to-digest foods provides the necessary energy to support your immune system.

Milk products are generally fine for most people. Yogurt is a good option due to its protein and probiotic content. However, if dairy seems to worsen congestion or cause digestive issues, it's best to avoid it temporarily.