What to eat when you have a fever or cold
Sep 26, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Guo Xiheng
Introduction
Feverish cold patients can alleviate their symptoms by eating foods rich in vitamins, protein, and that are easy to digest. Abundant vitamin C helps reduce fever and cure the common cold, while also providing patients with essential nutrients. Eating bananas, which are considered a cooling fruit, can have a good fever-reducing effect during a cold, helping treat the illness and shorten its duration.
Fever and colds are among the most common illnesses in daily life. Patients can improve their symptoms by eating foods rich in vitamins, protein, and those that are easy to digest.
1. Easily Digestible Foods
Patients can eat foods such as millet porridge or japonica rice congee to protect gastric function. They may also prepare light noodles at home, which aid digestion and do not burden the gastrointestinal system. Millet porridge provides the body with necessary carbohydrates, is nutritious, and contains ample water, meeting the body's needs for both nutrients and hydration.
2. Protein-Rich Foods
Patients with fever due to colds should also consume protein-containing foods to replenish protein promptly, such as yogurt and milk. Milk is highly nutritious and rich in protein, satisfying the body’s nutritional requirements. Consuming milk can also enhance a patient’s resistance and immunity, which greatly aids recovery from fever. However, protein-rich foods should not be consumed excessively, as this may increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract.
3. Fruits and Vegetables Rich in Vitamins
Fruits and vegetables contain abundant vitamin C, which helps reduce fever and cure colds while providing patients with essential nutrients. Eating bananas—considered a cooling fruit—during a cold can have a good fever-reducing effect, helping treat the illness and shorten its duration. These fruits also help supplement vitamins and trace elements, boosting the body’s immunity.
During a cold with fever, one should maintain a light diet, drink plenty of water, and avoid spicy, raw, or cold foods. It is also important to stay warm, maintain proper humidity, exercise regularly, and strengthen the body’s immune system.
