As everyone knows, body temperature slightly rises after eating. This is because when food is oxidized and broken down in the body, it not only releases its own heat energy but also increases the body's basal metabolic rate, stimulating the body to generate extra heat. This stimulating effect of food is called the specific dynamic effect of food in medicine. However, this effect is not related to the total calories consumed but to the type of food. For example, eating carbohydrates can increase the basal metabolic rate by 5%—6%, and fats can increase it by 3%—4%, with both effects lasting only about an hour. In contrast, protein has the greatest impact, increasing the basal metabolic rate by 15%—30%, and the duration is longer, sometimes reaching 10—12 hours. Eggs are high in protein, so eating them when you have a fever will not lower your body temperature but will instead raise it, which is unfavorable for recovery. For this reason, other high-protein foods such as lean meat and fish will also add extra heat to the body and should be consumed as little as possible.
I. Avoid eating too many eggs
Eggs are nutritious, but when the protein in eggs is broken down in the body, it produces a certain amount of extra heat, increasing the patient's body heat and exacerbating fever symptoms, prolonging the fever and increasing the patient's suffering.
II. Avoid drinking too much tea
Drinking strong tea keeps the brain in an excited state, quickens the pulse, and raises blood pressure, which in turn raises the patient's body temperature and causes restlessness. At the same time, tea can affect the breakdown and absorption of medication, reducing its effectiveness.
III. Avoid drinking too many cold drinks
If a fever is caused by an infectious disease like bacterial dysentery from contaminated food, gastrointestinal function is impaired. Drinking too many cold drinks will worsen the condition, and in severe cases, it can even be life-threatening.
IV. Avoid eating too much honey
During a fever, the focus should be on clearing heat, not on nourishing the body. Honey is a tonic that replenishes qi and benefits the middle burner. Consuming too much honey will prevent the body's internal heat from being properly cleared and eliminated, easily leading to other complications.
V. Avoid eating too many spicy foods
As body temperature rises, metabolism is accelerated. Under these circumstances, randomly eating pungent and spicy "hot" foods like ginger, garlic, and chili will add heat to the body, worsening the condition and hindering recovery.
VI. Avoid forcing food
When some children have a fever, parents often believe that fever consumes nutrients, so not eating is even worse. Consequently, they force their children to eat, and some even frantically feed 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.
The diet for a fever patient should be light, easily digestible, and rich in vitamins. Generally, it should consist mainly of liquid or semi-liquid foods, such as rice water, congee, noodles, and lotus root starch, along with some fresh fruit. Protein is essential for the body's repair. After the patient's fever subsides, semi-liquid foods like clear chicken soup with noodles and vegetable puree congee can be consumed. In the later stage of recovery, more high-protein foods such as lean meat, fish, and tofu can be added to help restore health sooner.