Is There Any Truth To The ‘Feed A Cold, Starve A Fever’ Saying? Here’s What We Know – Health Digest

When you get a fever, both calorie use and metabolism increase in your body, so it’s important to fuel it with the nutrients it needs, according to the clinical instructor of internal medicine at NYU Langone Health, Dr. Albert Ahn (via Health). “When you have a fever, it is essentially increasing your body’s temperature to fight an infection and in turn also increasing your metabolism and your body’s use of calories. Hence, you would likely benefit from more caloric intake during a fever,” he explained. 

In fact, if you don’t continue to eat it could cause problems, according to one expert. “When you have a cold or a fever, your immune system is fighting off an infection, and eating less during the early stages of an infection can actually be dangerous,” shared Dr. Mark A. Moyad — Jenkins/Pokempner director of preventive and alternative medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor — with Everyday Health. “The body requires large amounts of energy to create and assemble the large number of immune cells necessary to fight the enemy. Good nutrition and calories provide this energy.”

Experts note, however, that there is no need to over-feed or force yourself to eat during a common cold or fever. “If you feel like it, you should try to eat like you normally would with a fever or a cold. There’s no reason to intentionally stop eating,” added Dr. Simon Hodes to Cleveland Clinic.