When sick, is it true or false that should you feed a cold and starve a fever? False: This is just another old wives’ tale. Whether you have a cold, or a fever, you should still try to maintain a regular intake of fluids and food. While recent medical studies have found that there actually may be some benefit to following this age-old adage, the fact that many people believe they should starve a fever and feed a cold indicates that we just find it comforting to rely on folk wisdom to treat an illness that has no cure.
Starve Fevers and Feed Colds
This saying probably came about because people who have a fever typically do not feel like eating anything, and those with a cold (which usually does not come with a fever) will still have an appetite. But this is not always true in either case.
The best thing to do when you have a fever or a cold is to drink plenty of fluids. If you aren’t hungry, then don’t worry about eating. As long as you are drinking enough fluids, you should be fine without eating much for a few days.
One thing to keep in mind about eating and drinking when you are sick: Drink more than you usually do. Keep focused on getting lots of fluids, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
