What should you eat when you're sick and have a fever?
Nov 25, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Huang Yuhong
Introduction
Foods suitable to eat when sick with a fever generally include light porridge, fresh vegetables and fruits, warm water, high-quality protein, and soft noodles. For example, millet porridge or rice porridge can be cooked with a small amount of Chinese yam or pumpkin, making them soft and easy to digest. These foods do not burden the gastrointestinal system, while also providing carbohydrates for energy, helping maintain basic metabolism and alleviating fatigue caused by fever.
When sick with a fever, suitable foods generally include light porridge, fresh fruits and vegetables, warm water, high-quality protein, and soft noodles. The details are as follows:
1. Light porridge: Such as millet porridge or rice porridge. A small amount of Chinese yam or pumpkin can be added during cooking. These porridges are soft, easy to digest, and do not burden the gastrointestinal system. They also provide carbohydrates for energy, helping maintain basic metabolism and alleviating fatigue caused by fever.
2. Fresh fruits and vegetables: Options like apples, oranges, spinach, and broccoli are recommended. After washing, they can be steamed or cooked into soups. Rich in vitamins and minerals, these foods help boost immunity. Their high water content also helps replenish fluids lost during fever, preventing dehydration.
3. Warm water: Drinking warm water in small amounts frequently promotes blood circulation, aids in heat dissipation and cooling, dilutes toxins in the body, facilitates toxin removal through urine, keeps respiratory passages moist, and reduces discomfort such as dry mouth and throat caused by fever.
4. High-quality protein: Foods such as egg custard, steamed fish, and low-fat milk are rich in protein and easy to digest and absorb. They supply essential materials for cell repair and antibody production, helping the body fight viruses or bacteria and promoting recovery—however, overconsumption should be avoided.
5. Soft noodles: Plain noodles cooked until soft, served with a small amount of vegetables or tomatoes, are mild in flavor and nutritionally balanced. They provide both carbohydrates and fluid replenishment through broth, making them ideal for consumption when gastrointestinal function is weakened during fever.
Diet during fever should avoid spicy, greasy, raw, and cold foods to prevent gastrointestinal irritation or worsening of symptoms. If body temperature remains above 38.5°C, or if symptoms such as severe coughing or vomiting occur, prompt medical attention is necessary.
