Eating right when you have a fever – this is how it works

When you have a fever, it is important to eat the right food to strengthen your immune system. Plenty of fluids and warm, vitamin-rich foods are the ideal combination. The course of the illness can be alleviated and shortened by a suitable diet.

Food for fever: Chicken soup for body and soul

To support the feverish body, it is important that you do not eat just anything. The right food strengthens the body, improves your well-being and helps you to get fit again more quickly. The immune system can be supported with the help of a suitable diet. This will soften the course of the illness and shorten the duration of the fever if necessary.

• The classic for all kinds of illnesses is chicken soup. Homemade with a fresh soup chicken and valuable herbs, it tastes best hot. The soup serves to hydrate the body and replenishes the body’s salt balance with the help of the broth.
• Foods containing zinc are a good helper against fever. The trace element is found in fish, milk, cheese and oatmeal, for example, and strengthens the body’s defences. It is important to take it right at the beginning of an illness.
• Foods rich in vitamin C are known to scavenge free radicals and help the body fight fever. Particularly high levels of vitamin C are found in broccoli, peppers and citrus fruits. Two oranges a day or one red pepper will provide enough vitamin C to meet your daily needs.
• Fresh, light food is preferred by most fever patients. However, care should be taken to eat hot foods, such as soup or tea. Heat promotes blood circulation and has a diaphoretic effect. This helps to fight off the infection when you have a cold.

Other remedies for fever

To replenish the body’s salt and fluid balance, it is important not only to eat properly during a fever. We show you other tips that help against fever.

• The body sweats when you have a high fever and therefore loses a lot of fluid. You should therefore drink at least two litres a day. In addition to water, suitable drinks are fruit juices containing vitamins and herbal teas.
• Whatever the underlying disease is that causes the increase in body temperature: the fever must be lowered if necessary in order not to put too much strain on the body. You can measure this with a clinical thermometer. Medication such as paracetamol or ibuprofen is advisable here.
• Good old calf compresses can also help to reduce the fever.