Which food is avoided in fever? A Nutritional Guide for Recovery

November 3, 2025 •

3 min read

During a fever, your body's basal metabolic rate (BMR) can increase by approximately 10-13% for every 1°C rise in body temperature, demanding more energy and nutrients. Understanding which food is avoided in fever is crucial because consuming the wrong things can hinder your body's healing process and prolong your illness.

Quick Summary

This guide explains which foods to eliminate from your diet during a fever, focusing on items that are hard to digest, suppress the immune system, or worsen symptoms. It details why you should avoid greasy, sugary, and processed foods, and offers healthier alternatives to support your body's recovery.

Key Points

Sugary Foods Suppress Immunity: High sugar intake can inhibit the function of your white blood cells, which are crucial for fighting off infection.
Greasy and Fried Foods Hinder Digestion: Heavy, fatty foods are difficult to digest and divert energy away from your immune system, slowing down recovery.
Caffeine and Alcohol Cause Dehydration: These beverages act as diuretics and can worsen dehydration, which is already a risk during a fever due to increased sweating.
Spicy and Acidic Foods Irritate: Excessively spicy foods and highly acidic juices can irritate a sensitive stomach and sore throat.
Some Dairy Can Worsen Congestion: Dairy products may thicken mucus for some individuals, making congestion more severe.
High-Fiber Raw Foods Can Cause Discomfort: Raw vegetables and high-fiber grains are harder to break down and can lead to gas or bloating during illness.
Processed Foods are Low in Nutrients: Packaged and processed foods contain additives and unhealthy fats that stress the body rather than nourishing it.

The Importance of a Strategic Diet During a Fever

When your body is fighting off an infection, its metabolic rate increases, requiring more energy and stressing the digestive system. While appetite may decrease, providing the right nutrients is vital for recovery. It's important to choose easily digestible, nutrient-rich foods and avoid items that strain the immune and digestive systems.

Foods to Strictly Avoid When You Have a Fever

Sugary and Processed Foods

High sugar intake can negatively impact white blood cells, which are crucial for fighting infections. Foods like candy and sugary drinks provide little nutrition and can cause energy fluctuations. Processed foods, often high in unhealthy fats and additives, can increase inflammation and dehydration.

Fried and Greasy Foods

Foods high in fat, such as fried items, are difficult to digest, especially when sick. Digesting these foods diverts energy that the immune system needs for recovery. They can also increase fatigue and body aches.

Caffeinated and Alcoholic Beverages

Caffeine and alcohol are diuretics that can lead to dehydration, which is already a risk with fever due to sweating. Staying hydrated is critical, and these beverages work against that goal while also potentially disrupting sleep.

Spicy and Highly Acidic Foods

Excessively spicy foods can irritate a sensitive stomach. Highly acidic foods, like some citrus juices, can irritate a sore throat. While not directly worsening fever, they can exacerbate symptoms.

Certain Dairy Products and High-Fiber Grains

For some, particularly with respiratory issues, dairy may thicken mucus. Dairy might also be poorly tolerated if experiencing digestive upset. High-fiber, coarse grains can be difficult to digest for a weakened system and may cause gas. Soft grains like white rice are often easier to tolerate.

Foods to Avoid vs. Foods to Embrace During a Fever


Feature	Foods to Avoid	Foods to Embrace
Digestion	Hard to digest, high in fat	Easy to digest, soft texture
Immune Impact	Can suppress white blood cell activity	Supports immune function (Vitamins, Antioxidants)
Hydration	Dehydrating (caffeine, alcohol)	Hydrating (water, broths, clear liquids)
Nutritional Value	Low in nutrients (empty calories)	Nutrient-dense (vitamins, minerals)
Digestive Effect	Irritating, can cause gas and bloating	Soothing for the digestive tract
Examples	Fried chicken, candy, soda, heavy curries	Chicken soup, mashed potatoes, bananas, toast, herbal tea

Focusing on Nourishment for a Speedy Recovery

Prioritizing Easy-to-Digest Nutrients

Focus on soft, cooked foods that are gentle on your stomach, such as broths, soups, rice, and steamed vegetables. These provide necessary nutrients without overburdening your digestive system.

The Importance of Hydration

Hydration is crucial with fever due to fluid loss. Drink plenty of water, clear broths, herbal teas, or coconut water to replace lost electrolytes.

Conclusion

Making informed food choices during a fever significantly aids recovery. Knowing which food is avoided in fever helps protect your immune system and provides your body with necessary, easily processed nutrients. Avoiding heavy, sugary, and processed foods allows your body to prioritize fighting the infection. A simple, hydrating diet is the best approach for a quicker recovery.

Note: For more detailed guidance, consult a healthcare professional. For additional health information, visit the Cleveland Clinic website.

Understanding Which Foods to Exclude

Sugary Foods: Can suppress immune function.
Fried and Greasy Foods: Difficult to digest, diverting energy from the immune system.
Caffeine and Alcohol: Dehydrating and can worsen a fever.
Spicy and Acidic Foods: Can irritate the stomach and throat.
Some Dairy Products: May worsen congestion for certain individuals.
Raw Vegetables and High-Fiber Grains: Can be hard to digest and cause bloating.
Processed Meats: Add strain to the digestive system.

Empowering Your Recovery Through Diet

Hydration First: Crucial to combat fluid loss.
Easy-to-Digest Options: Choose soft, bland foods.
Nutrient-Dense Choices: Support your immune system with vitamins and minerals.
Lean Proteins: Aid tissue repair without stressing digestion.
Listen to Your Body: Eat small, frequent meals if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

You should avoid sugar because studies have shown that consuming high amounts can suppress the function of your white blood cells, which are essential for fighting off infection and healing your body.

For some people, especially those with respiratory symptoms, dairy products may increase mucus production and thicken phlegm, worsening congestion. If you have gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea or diarrhea, it's also best to avoid dairy until you feel better.

No, it's best to avoid coffee and energy drinks. The caffeine in them acts as a diuretic, which can increase fluid loss and lead to dehydration, interfering with your body's recovery.

Fried and greasy foods are hard for your body to digest. When you have a fever, your body needs to conserve energy to fight the infection, and digesting heavy, fatty foods diverts that precious energy away from healing.

While some find mild spice soothing for congestion, consuming excessively spicy foods can irritate an already sensitive stomach and throat, potentially worsening discomfort.

No, you should still eat fruits and vegetables, but focus on cooked or soft varieties. Raw, fibrous vegetables can be harder to digest, but steamed vegetables and soft fruits like bananas or applesauce are excellent sources of nutrients and hydration.

The best liquids are hydrating, non-caffeinated options. These include water, clear broths, and herbal teas like ginger or peppermint. Electrolyte-containing drinks can also help replace lost minerals from sweating.

No, alcohol should be avoided entirely during a fever. It is dehydrating, can interact negatively with medications, and can weaken your immune system, all of which hinder recovery.