What is the best food for a fever person?

December 15, 2025 •

4 min read

When you have a fever, your body burns more calories and loses fluids faster, making proper nutrition and hydration critical for recovery. While a loss of appetite is common, choosing the right foods can provide the energy and nutrients your immune system needs to fight off infection effectively.

Quick Summary

The best food for a person with a fever includes hydrating liquids and nutrient-dense, easily digestible meals. Focus on broths, water-rich fruits, lean proteins, and specific foods with anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. Stay hydrated and avoid heavy, processed, and sugary foods that can hinder recovery.

Key Points

Hydration is Paramount: A fever increases fluid loss through sweating, so prioritize drinks like water, broths, and coconut water to stay hydrated and replenish electrolytes.
Opt for Easy-to-Digest Foods: Choose bland, soft foods such as bananas, rice, oatmeal, and chicken soup that provide energy without stressing your digestive system.
Embrace Immune-Boosting Ingredients: Foods containing vitamin C (citrus fruits), anti-inflammatory properties (ginger, garlic), and healthy fats (salmon) can help support your immune system.
Listen to Your Body: If you have a low appetite, focus on liquids first and eat small, frequent portions of nutrient-dense foods as you feel able.
Avoid Sugary, Fatty, and Processed Foods: These can suppress your immune system and are hard to digest, hindering your body's recovery process.
Know Your Comfort Foods: Familiar and soothing foods like chicken soup or khichdi can be psychologically comforting while also providing necessary nutrients.

Prioritizing Hydration: The Foundation of Fever Recovery

During a fever, sweating is the body's natural mechanism for cooling down, which can lead to significant fluid and electrolyte loss. Replacing these fluids is the most critical step in managing a fever. Water is always the best choice, but for replenishing electrolytes lost through sweating, consider other options.

Clear Broths and Soups: Chicken soup and bone broths are excellent for hydration. They contain sodium, potassium, and other electrolytes to replenish what is lost, and the steam can help clear congestion.
Coconut Water: A natural source of electrolytes, including potassium, coconut water can be a great alternative to commercial sports drinks.
Herbal Teas: Hot tea can be very soothing, and varieties like ginger or chamomile provide hydration with additional anti-inflammatory benefits.
Oral Rehydration Solutions: For severe dehydration, electrolyte drinks formulated for rehydration can quickly restore balance.

Easy-to-Digest, Nutrient-Dense Foods

When your appetite is low, it's important to consume calories and nutrients without straining your digestive system. Opt for soft, bland, and easy-to-digest foods that provide sustained energy.

Bananas: Part of the classic BRAT diet, bananas are easy on the stomach, providing potassium to replace lost electrolytes and soluble fiber to help with diarrhea.
Oatmeal: A simple bowl of warm oatmeal offers complex carbohydrates for energy and soluble fiber that is gentle on the stomach.
Khichdi: This Indian dish of rice and lentils is easy to digest and can be made with mild spices like ginger and cumin for flavor.
Plain Toast or Rice: Bland and low in fiber, these can provide simple carbs when other foods are too heavy.

Immune-Boosting and Anti-Inflammatory Options

Certain foods contain compounds that can actively support your immune system and reduce inflammation, a common side effect of fever.

Garlic: Known for its antibacterial and antiviral properties, incorporating garlic into your food or drinking a garlic-infused broth can aid recovery.
Ginger: This root is well-regarded for its anti-nausea effects and can also help reduce inflammation.
Yogurt with Probiotics: If dairy is tolerated, yogurt with live and active cultures can help maintain gut health, which is crucial for overall immunity.
Fruits High in Vitamin C: Citrus fruits, strawberries, and kiwi are rich in vitamin C, an important antioxidant that supports immune function.
Salmon: Oily fish like salmon provides high-quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which have potent anti-inflammatory effects.

Foods to Avoid During a Fever

Just as important as knowing what to eat is knowing what to avoid. These foods can hinder your body's recovery process.

Sugary Foods and Drinks: Excess sugar can suppress the immune system and increase inflammation, potentially worsening symptoms.
Greasy and Fried Foods: These are difficult to digest and can place extra stress on your digestive system, which is already working hard.
Alcohol and Caffeine: Both can cause dehydration, and alcohol can weaken the immune system. Avoid these until you are fully recovered.
Spicy Foods: While some find spicy food helps with congestion, it can also irritate an already upset stomach.
High-Fiber or Raw Foods: For some, raw vegetables and high-fiber grains can be hard to digest when ill. Opt for cooked versions instead.

A Comparison of Foods for Fever


Food/Beverage	Benefits	Considerations
Chicken Broth	Highly hydrating, rich in electrolytes and nutrients, soothes sore throats, clears congestion.	Ensure it is low-sodium if store-bought.
Bananas	Easy to digest, provides potassium and quick energy, helps with diarrhea.	Bland flavor may not appeal to all.
Yogurt (with Probiotics)	Supports gut health and immunity, provides protein and calcium.	Avoid if sensitive to dairy, or if experiencing thick mucus and congestion.
Ginger Tea	Anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea, promotes hydration.	Use real ginger for medicinal benefits.
Oatmeal	Bland and easy to digest, provides sustained energy.	Use with caution if dealing with severe digestive issues.
Salmon	Excellent source of protein and anti-inflammatory omega-3s.	May be too heavy for those with no appetite.

Conclusion: Fueling Your Recovery

Ultimately, the best food for a fever person is a combination of hydrating fluids and easily digestible, nutrient-rich meals. Prioritize staying hydrated with water, broths, and coconut water, and choose comforting, simple foods like soups, bananas, and oatmeal. Incorporate immune-boosting ingredients like ginger and garlic when possible, and make sure to avoid fatty, sugary, and processed foods. Listening to your body is key; if you have little appetite, focus on hydration first and reintroduce simple solids as you feel able. By making informed food choices, you can provide your body with the support it needs to fight off infection and recover faster.

Spoonful of Comfort: Best Comfort Foods When Sick

Frequently Asked Questions

When you have a fever, your body's temperature increases, and you lose more fluid through sweating. Staying hydrated with water, broths, and electrolyte-rich drinks is essential to prevent dehydration, which can worsen symptoms and delay recovery.

No, it is not recommended to starve a fever. While your appetite might decrease, your body requires energy and nutrients to power your immune system and heal. Instead, focus on easily digestible, nutrient-dense foods and plenty of fluids.

Yes, chicken soup is highly beneficial. It provides hydration and electrolytes, and its warmth can help soothe a sore throat and clear congestion. It also offers easy-to-digest protein and nutrients to support your recovery.

Fruits with high water content are ideal for hydration. Good choices include watermelon, oranges, and cantaloupe. Fruits rich in vitamin C, like strawberries and citrus, can also help boost immune function. Easy-to-digest options like bananas are also excellent.

This depends on the individual. Some people find that dairy can thicken mucus and worsen congestion, so it might be best to avoid it, especially if you have a respiratory illness. For others, yogurt with probiotics can be beneficial if tolerated. If consuming dairy, stick to low-fat options and observe your body's reaction.

You should avoid fatty and fried foods, sugary snacks and drinks, alcohol, caffeine, and highly processed foods. These items are hard to digest, can cause inflammation, and may suppress your immune system, hindering your recovery.

While spicy foods can sometimes help clear congestion, they can also irritate an upset stomach. It's best to stick to milder foods, especially if you are also experiencing nausea or stomach discomfort.