
The Truth About "Feed a Cold, Starve a Fever" - Verywell Health
Dec 8, 2025 · Learn why it may be a good idea to feed a cold, but not starve a fever. Plus, how to select the best foods to eat when you're sick.
Starve a Cold, Feed a Fever? Learn the Facts - WebMD
May 6, 2025 · Do you starve a cold and feed a fever? Or is it the other way around? Learn the facts about eating well when you have a cold to speed your recovery.
Should you really 'feed a cold and starve a fever?'
2 days ago · The advice is literally centuries old: Feed a cold and starve a fever. The adage comes from a 1574 dictionary by English writer John Withals, who wrote, "fasting is a great remedy of fever." That ...
Feed a Cold, Starve a Fever: Myth or Fact? - Health
Nov 1, 2025 · "Feed a cold, starve a fever" is a myth. Your body needs calories and fluids when you're sick to fight infection, but avoid alcohol and sugary foods.
Feed a Cold, Starve a Fever? The Truth about Medical Myths
Medical myths about how to best treat fever, fight colds or manage injuries are everywhere, sometimes handed down through generations. Rachel Dawkins, M.D., from Johns Hopkins All Children’s …
Feed a cold, starve a fever - Wikipedia
Feed a cold, starve a fever Physician taking the temperature of a young patient " Feed a cold, starve a fever " is an adage or a wives' tale which attempts to instruct people how to deal with illness. The …
Is There Any Truth To the ‘Feed a Cold, Starve a Fever’ Adage? - The ...
Oct 21, 2025 · For instance, he said, it’s possible to have a fever and a cold at the same time. When that happens, how might someone feed their cold but starve their fever?
Modern Medical Review of Colds and Fevers: Debunking Traditional …
The widespread presence of medical adages, passed down through generations, is a testament to humanity’s enduring quest for health and healing. Many of these traditional sayings, like the familiar …
Feed a Cold, Starve a Fever: True or False? - Cleveland Clinic Health ...
Feb 2, 2023 · The age-old advice to “feed a cold, starve a fever” dates back to 1574. It’s safe to say that this guidance no longer rings true.
Feed a Cold, Starve a Fever? - GoodRx
Dec 12, 2025 · Experts say the proverb “feed a cold, starve a fever” is a myth. Food is always helpful when you’re sick. Find out how much you should eat when you’re sick.