Understanding What Type of Diet Is Given During a Fever

January 9, 2026 •

4 min read

According to medical experts, maintaining proper hydration is the most crucial aspect of the diet given during a fever, as the body loses fluids through increased sweating and a faster metabolism. This focus on fluid intake is complemented by consuming nutrient-dense, easy-to-digest foods that provide the necessary energy to fight infection without overtaxing the digestive system.

Quick Summary

This article outlines the optimal dietary approach for managing a fever, emphasizing the importance of staying hydrated with fluids like water, broth, and herbal tea. It details the best foods to eat, including easily digestible, nutrient-rich options, and identifies which foods and drinks to avoid to support the body's recovery process.

Key Points

Prioritize Hydration: A fever causes fluid loss through sweating, so drinking plenty of water, broth, or electrolyte-rich fluids like coconut water is critical to prevent dehydration.
Choose Easily Digestible Foods: Your digestive system works less efficiently when you're sick. Opt for bland, soft, and easily digestible foods such as rice porridge, toast, and oatmeal.
Include Nutrient-Rich Options: Feed your immune system with foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, including citrus fruits, cooked vegetables, and lean proteins like poached chicken or fish.
Incorporate Immune-Boosting Elements: Consider adding ginger, garlic, or fermented foods like yogurt to your diet for their potential anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and probiotic benefits.
Avoid Sugary, Fatty, and Spicy Foods: These can suppress immune function, cause inflammation, and stress your digestive system. Stay away from soda, fried foods, excessive sugar, and heavily spiced meals.
Listen to Your Body: If you have little appetite, focus on fluids. It is more important to maintain hydration and get some calories than to force a full meal.

A fever is the body's natural response to an infection, but it can cause dehydration and a loss of appetite. A well-planned diet provides the body with the necessary energy and nutrients to recover efficiently. Focus on easily digestible, nutrient-dense foods while ensuring ample hydration to support the immune system.

The Crucial Role of Hydration

When you have a fever, your body temperature rises, causing increased sweating and fluid loss. Replenishing these lost fluids and electrolytes is paramount to preventing dehydration, which can worsen symptoms.

Water: The best and simplest choice for hydration. Aim for more than your usual daily intake.
Broths and Soups: Clear broths, such as chicken, beef, or vegetable, are excellent sources of fluids and electrolytes. Their warmth also helps soothe a sore throat and clear congestion.
Coconut Water: Naturally rich in electrolytes like potassium, coconut water is a refreshing and effective way to rehydrate.
Herbal Teas: Teas like ginger, chamomile, or peppermint can be soothing and provide antioxidants. Adding a little honey can also help calm a cough or sore throat.

Recommended Foods for a Fever

Since appetite is often suppressed during a fever, opt for foods that are bland, soft, and easy for your weakened digestive system to process. These foods provide essential vitamins, minerals, and calories without causing discomfort.

Easily Digestible Carbohydrates

Rice Porridge (Kanji): A traditional, soothing dish made from rice, which is easy to digest and provides energy.
Toast and Crackers: Plain toast or crackers can help settle a nauseous stomach.
Oatmeal: A hot bowl of oatmeal is gentle on the stomach and contains immune-boosting nutrients like zinc, iron, and selenium.

Nutrient-Dense Proteins

Lean Poultry and Fish: Boiled or poached chicken and fish, such as salmon, are excellent sources of high-quality protein needed for tissue repair and immune function. Salmon is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory effects.
Eggs: Soft-boiled or scrambled eggs are a great source of protein and vitamin D, essential for a healthy immune system.
Yogurt and Probiotics: Plain yogurt with live and active cultures introduces beneficial bacteria that can support gut health and strengthen your immune response.

Vitamin and Antioxidant-Rich Fruits and Vegetables

Citrus Fruits: Oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are high in vitamin C, which is crucial for immune function. Consume them as juice or eat the pulp, but be mindful of acidity if your stomach is sensitive.
Berries: Strawberries and blueberries are rich in antioxidants called anthocyanins, which have anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.
Bananas: Soft, bland, and easy to eat, bananas are a great source of potassium, an important electrolyte.
Cooked Vegetables: Steamed or boiled vegetables like carrots and potatoes are easier to digest than raw ones and provide essential vitamins and minerals.

Foods and Drinks to Avoid

Certain foods can hinder your recovery by being difficult to digest or by promoting inflammation. Avoid these to help your body focus its energy on healing.

Sugary Foods and Drinks: Excessive sugar can cause inflammation and suppress the immune system. Stay away from soda, candy, pastries, and ice cream.
Fatty and Greasy Foods: Fried foods, high-fat meats, and buttery meals are hard on the digestive system and require more energy to process.
Caffeine and Alcohol: Both are diuretics and can worsen dehydration. Avoid coffee, caffeinated teas, and alcoholic beverages.
Spicy and High-Fiber Foods: Spicy foods can irritate the stomach, while high-fiber foods may be too difficult to digest when your system is weakened.

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


Food Category	Recommended (Fever-Friendly)	To Avoid (During Fever)
Hydration	Water, herbal teas, clear broth, coconut water	Alcohol, coffee, sugary sodas
Carbohydrates	Rice porridge, plain crackers, toast, oatmeal	High-fiber grains, spicy foods
Proteins	Soft-boiled eggs, poached fish, lean poultry, yogurt	Fatty, processed meats (sausages, bacon)
Fruits & Veggies	Bananas, oranges, cooked carrots, steamed spinach	Raw vegetables, high-sugar canned fruits
Fats	Minimal oil (olive), small amount of ghee	Fried foods, butter, greasy fast food
Desserts	Plain gelatin, small amount of honey	Ice cream, cakes, candy, pastries

How Your Diet Supports Immune Function

Beyond providing energy, the right diet supports your immune system directly. Nutrients like vitamin C and zinc enhance white blood cell production, while antioxidants combat damaging free radicals. The probiotics in yogurt can improve gut health, which is closely linked to overall immunity. By choosing easily digestible foods, you free up energy that your body can use to fight the infection. For additional dietary information, a helpful resource on nutritional support during illness can be found at Scripps AMG.

Conclusion: The Path to Recovery

Following an appropriate diet during a fever is a powerful way to support your body's recovery. The core principles are simple: prioritize hydration, choose easily digestible and nutrient-dense foods, and avoid items that can cause inflammation or stress the digestive system. By providing your body with the right fuel, you can help shorten the duration of your illness and feel better faster. Always listen to your body and consult a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best drinks during a fever are water, clear broths, and electrolyte-rich beverages like coconut water or rehydration solutions. Herbal teas, especially ginger or chamomile, can also be very soothing and hydrating.

No, the old adage 'starve a fever' is incorrect. Your body burns more calories when you have a fever, so it's important to consume nutrient-dense foods to provide energy for your immune system to function properly and help you recover faster.

Milk products are often okay, especially in forms like yogurt, which contains beneficial probiotics. However, some people find full-fat milk and heavy milk products hard to digest when sick, so choosing low-fat options or assessing your tolerance is best.

Yes, many fruits are excellent choices during a fever. They are high in water, vitamins (especially vitamin C), and antioxidants. Good options include bananas, oranges, watermelon, and berries. Avoid fruits with high fiber or acidity if your stomach is sensitive.

You should avoid fatty and greasy foods, sugary snacks and beverages, caffeine, and alcohol. Heavily processed and spicy foods should also be avoided as they can be difficult to digest and may cause irritation.

Yes, chicken soup is a traditional and effective remedy. It provides fluids and electrolytes, protein, and other nutrients. The warmth can also help clear nasal congestion.

If you have little or no appetite, focus on staying hydrated with fluids like water and broths. When you do feel like eating, start with small, frequent servings of bland, easy-to-digest foods.