Many diseases can cause fever, which is a defensive reaction when you are sick. When you have a fever, your body's immunity is lowered and the digestive and absorption functions of the gastrointestinal tract are impaired due to the elevated body temperature. Therefore, a person with fever faces a contradiction between increased nutrient consumption and weakened digestive function. Whether taking antipyretics or recovering naturally, fever reduction is achieved through sweating. While sweating to cool down, the body loses a large amount of water and salt.
Therefore, the most important thing during a fever is water, followed by nutrients. The dietary principles at this time should first be to provide adequate fluids, then to supplement a large amount of vitamins, and finally to supply appropriate amounts of calories and protein. The diet should be mainly liquid or semi-liquid. Special attention should be paid to the following six taboos:
One, avoid eating too many eggs
While eggs are indeed nutritious, they should not be eaten in excess during a fever. This is because the protein in eggs produces additional heat when broken down in the body, increasing the body's heat, exacerbating fever symptoms, prolonging the duration of fever, and increasing the patient's discomfort.
Two, avoid drinking too much tea
Drinking strong tea can keep the brain in an excited state, speed up the pulse, and raise blood pressure, which in turn can raise the patient's body temperature and cause restlessness. At the same time, tea can interfere with the breakdown and absorption of medication, reducing its effectiveness.
Three, avoid drinking too many cold drinks
If the fever is caused by an infectious disease like bacterial dysentery from contaminated food, gastrointestinal function is already compromised. Drinking too many cold drinks can worsen the condition and may even lead to life-threatening deterioration.
Four, avoid eating too much honey
The focus during a fever should be on clearing heat, not on nourishing. Honey is a tonic that replenishes qi and the middle energizer. Consuming too much honey can prevent the internal heat from being effectively cleared and may also easily lead to other complications.
Five, avoid eating too many spicy foods
With an elevated body temperature, metabolism is vigorous. In this state, indiscriminately eating warm and spicy foods like ginger, garlic, and chili will add heat to the body, worsening the condition and being detrimental to reducing fever and a speedy recovery.
Six, avoid forcing food intake
When some children have a fever, parents often believe that fever consumes nutrients, so not eating is even worse. Consequently, they force the child to eat, some even frantically giving them high-nutrient foods. In fact, this approach has the opposite effect; it not only fails to stimulate the appetite but can also ruin it, and may even cause vomiting and diarrhea, worsening the condition.