Many illnesses can cause a fever, including strep throat, stomach virus, upper respiratory flu and mononucleosis. Like many people, you may lose your appetite with a fever -- and even when you do want to eat, most foods may taste funny or upset your system. A simple diet for fever plus a good home remedy may do more to make you feel better than not eating at all. If you do use home remedies and your symptoms persist, contact your health practitioner for additional treatment.
Honey, Garlic and Lemon Tea
To soothe yourself and help reduce a fever, make a tea with garlic, honey and lemon juice. Garlic is loaded with compounds high in antibacterial and antiviral properties, according to University of Michigan Integrative Medicine, making it an effective treatment for many acute ailments that may be accompanied by fever. Both honey and lemon naturally help settle an upset stomach; if you are feeling nauseous, add a pinch of ginger to the tea to help settle your stomach. Make the tea by boiling 2 cups of water with four cloves of peeled garlic for about 10 minutes. Let the tea cool, then add the other ingredients. Sip the tea throughout the day for relief.
Cayenne Pepper
If you have a persistent fever and would like to break it, use cayenne pepper to do so, writes Jethro Kloss in "Back to Eden." Make a home remedy by boiling a cup of water and adding a pinch of cayenne pepper, a pinch of powdered ginger and a spoonful of honey. The mixture will act on your fever, helping to break it and bringing relief. Allow the ingredients to brew in the hot water for 10 minutes before drinking it. This mixture may cause burning sensations if you have a sore throat, so test it first by taking very small sips.
Hydrate
Whenever you have a fever, one of the best things you can do from a dietary perspective is to stay hydrated, says the Dartmouth College Health Service website. Drink lots of water, fruit juices, hot or cold herbal teas and soups, including clear broths. If you have been vomiting or had diarrhea, try drinks that help replace electrolytes, to speed your recovery.
Lighten Up
If you suffer from a fever from a long-lived illness like mononucleosis or the flu, you have to eat something more than a liquid diet. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests choosing lighter foods that are easier to digest, such as fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants, fish, tofu, legumes or poultry, olive or nut oils, and whole grains. Avoid heavy, high-fat foods, junk food, foods high in trans fats, processed flours and refined foods. These supply little nutrition and may upset your stomach during a long illness. Make sure that you consume lots of fluids as well as lighter foods to help support your system and avoid becoming dehydrated.
References
- Dick's House -- Dartmouth College Health Service: Care for Upper Respiratory Infections
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Mononucleosis
- "Back to Eden"; Jethro Kloss; 2001
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Garlic
- University of California at Davis: Garlic
- University of Michigan Integrative Medicine: Healing Foods Pyramid
