Rohan Kumar Rohan Kumar Asked 9 months ago

Why feed a cold starve a fever?

My daadi always says 'feed a cold, starve a fever' when someone at home gets sick. I've always followed it, but does it actually have any scientific backing? Just wondering if it's an old wives' tale or something more.

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6 answers

Sanjay Rao Sanjay Rao Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago
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Honestly, this is more old wives' tale than actual medical fact. When you're sick, whether it's a cold or a fever, your body needs energy to fight it. So, just eat light, digestible food and drink plenty of fluids. Don't starve yourself, bhai.

Shruti Kulkarni Shruti Kulkarni Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago

I used to believe this too and would hardly eat when I had a fever, thinking it would go away faster. But I ended up feeling so weak! My doc said it's important to keep eating small, nutritious meals to keep your strength up. Just listen to your body.

Girish Sharma Girish Sharma Joined Mar 2026 8 months ago

Every illness is a signal from the body. It's important to provide nourishment, but gently. A light diet with plenty of liquids and rest is always good. Keep your thoughts positive and give your body what it needs to heal. Take care.

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Deepa Singh Deepa Singh Joined May 2026 5 months ago

My kids get sick often, and I've learned both need good nutrition. For a cold, they feel hungry so I feed them. For fever, they don't have much appetite, so I just give them light soups, khichdi, and lots of fluids to keep them hydrated. Listen to what your body, or your child's body, wants.

Nisha Verma Nisha Verma Joined Jun 2026 5 months ago

I actually read up on this! Modern health advice says just focus on staying hydrated and eating nutrient-rich, easily digestible food for both. My fitness app also recommends tracking symptoms and energy levels; you'll notice you feel better when you're fueled properly.

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Prakash Reddy Prakash Reddy Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

See, both cold and fever mean your body is fighting something. You need energy for that. If you starve, you'll feel weaker and might need more medicines or doc visits later, which costs money. So, eat simple, home-cooked food. Avoid heavy outside food.

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