For generations, the adage to feed a cold and starve a fever has been passed down as a cornerstone of home remedies. This rhyming piece of advice suggests that when you are sneezing and congested, you should increase your caloric intake, but when your body temperature rises, you should strictly limit what you eat. While these old wives’ tales often contain a grain of truth, modern medical consensus suggests that following this specific rule might actually do more harm than good.
The origins of this particular saying date back to at least the 16th century. At the time, it was believed that the digestive process generated heat within the body. Therefore, if a person had a cold, which was associated with low temperatures and chills, eating would help warm them up. Conversely, if a person had a fever, it was thought that eating would fuel the fire and cause their temperature to climb to dangerous levels. While the logic seemed sound to the physicians of the Middle Ages, our understanding of human metabolism and immunology has evolved significantly since then.
Today, doctors emphasize that both colds and fevers are indicators that the immune system is working overtime to fight off an infection. Whether you are dealing with a rhinovirus or a more significant bacterial infection, your body requires energy to mount a defense. Restricting calories during a fever can actually deprive the immune system of the glucose and protein it needs to produce antibodies and white blood cells. When you have a fever, your metabolic rate actually increases, meaning you are burning more energy than usual just to maintain your baseline functions.
Rather than focusing on whether to eat or not, medical professionals now prioritize hydration above all else. During a fever, the body loses fluids through sweat and increased respiration. Dehydration is a much more immediate threat to a patient’s health than a temporary lack of solid food. Water, herbal teas, and electrolyte-rich broths are essential for thinning mucus and keeping the body’s internal cooling systems functioning properly. If a patient feels hungry, they should eat, but forcing food or strictly avoiding it based on a rhyme is no longer recommended.
Appetite suppression is a natural biological response to illness. When the body is fighting an infection, it releases cytokines that can dampen the desire to eat. This is the body’s way of redirecting energy away from the labor-intensive process of digestion and toward the immune response. If you are sick and have no appetite, it is generally fine to skip a meal, provided you stay hydrated. However, the idea that you should intentionally starve yourself to break a fever is a myth that can lead to unnecessary weakness and a longer recovery time.
Nutritional quality also plays a vital role in recovery. Instead of worrying about the quantity of food, patients should focus on nutrient-dense options. Vitamin C, zinc, and lean proteins provide the building blocks for tissue repair and immune function. A bowl of chicken soup, often cited as a cliché remedy, actually provides a perfect balance of hydration, salt for electrolyte replacement, and protein. It also helps move nasal secretions more effectively than plain hot water.
Ultimately, the best advice for managing a cold or a fever is to listen to your body’s internal cues. If you are hungry, eat small and manageable portions of healthy food. If you are not hungry, do not force a heavy meal, but ensure you are sipping fluids constantly. The ancient wisdom of starving a fever has been replaced by a more nuanced understanding of how nutrition supports the healing process. Staying well-nourished and hydrated is the most effective way to help your body cross the finish line of an illness.
