A fever is a good sign that you are sick because it means your body is trying to kill the virus or bacteria that has made you sick. One downside, however, is that an increased body temperature often puts off people’s appetites. Even though you’re thirsty and don’t want to eat, you shouldn’t live on popsicles and ice cream alone. Your body needs the right fuel to fight off the infection. There are also foods you should not eat when you have a fever, just like there are foods you should eat.
It can be hard to eat when you’re not in the mood, but eating the right, healthy foods will make you stronger. These include:
There’s a reason why chicken soup is a sick-food staple. The broth can help you drink more water, which can lower your body temperature and get rid of toxins. The sodium can help your body replace electrolytes. Plus, chicken soup is full of vitamins, minerals, calories, and protein—as long as it actually contains chicken.
Speaking of protein, your body needs as much as it can get with a fever. However, the right healthy protein is key. You don’t have to worry about your body burning more calories than it needs to because poultry and fish are high in protein and easy to digest. Plus, salmon and other oily fish are full of omega-3 fatty acids, which help keep your immune system strong.
Fruits and vegetables are crucial to incorporate into your diet—and even more so when you’re sick. Fruits are rich in many vitamins, especially vitamin C, which is important for a strong immune system. Also, many vegetables are very healthy and full of good things for you like potassium, fiber, folic acid, and vitamin A.
You don’t want to waste time and energy eating foods that won’t help you feel better. Therefore, it’s best to avoid the following foods with a fever:
Getting sick with a fever can really knock you off your feet. Between the aches chills, and overall feeling of blah the last thing you want to do is make meals. But nutrition remains important when you’re under the weather, so what should you eat? Can you still enjoy your favorite foods like prawns during a fever or are some foods off limits?
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about eating prawns and other seafood when you have a fever. We’ll discuss the benefits and risks, foods to avoid, preparation tips, and more. Let’s get started!
The Benefits and Risks of Eating Prawns During a Fever
Prawns can be a nutritious choice when you’re sick thanks to their protein, vitamins, and minerals. The protein provides energy for your immune system while the nutrients give an antioxidant boost. Prawns are also low in fat and rich in selenium, zinc, iodine, and vitamin B12.
However, there are some potential risks with prawns to keep in mind:
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Some people may experience congestion sinus issues or headaches after eating shellfish like prawns due to the high histamine content. This can exacerbate fever symptoms.
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There is a risk of foodborne illness if the prawns harbor bacteria, viruses, or toxins. Your body is already weakened when fighting a fever.
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Preparing raw prawns requires safe handling to avoid cross-contamination, Cooking prawns thoroughly is important
So while prawns can be beneficial for many people, use caution and avoid them if you experience any negative symptoms or have a known shellfish allergy.
Seafood to Avoid During a Fever
Some types of seafood are better to avoid when you’re running a fever:
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Raw seafood – Raw oysters, sushi, ceviche, etc. pose a higher risk of infection when your immune system is already compromised. Cooked seafood is safer.
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Shellfish – Clams, mussels, oysters, shrimp, and scallops are high in histamines that can worsen congestion.
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Salted, smoked, or pickled seafood – The high sodium content can dehydrate you and worsen fever symptoms.
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Fatty fish – Salmon, mackerel, herring, trout, and tuna are healthy options when you feel well, but high in fat when you need digestibility.
Safe bets are mild white fish fillets that are low in fat like tilapia, cod, flounder, haddock, and sole. Steam, bake, or grill them.
Best Seafood to Eat During a Fever
Focus on seafood that is packed with nutrients but easy on your stomach when fighting a fever:
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Oily fish: Salmon, mackerel, sardines, trout. High in omega-3s to reduce inflammation.
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Shellfish: Shrimp, scallops, crab. Good source of zinc to support immunity.
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Whitefish: Tilapia, cod, catfish, flounder, sole, snapper. Lean and easy to digest.
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Canned fish: Tuna, salmon, sardines. Shelf-stable and convenient protein source.
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Mollusks: Clams, mussels, oysters. High in iron, zinc, copper, and manganese. Avoid if congested.
The preparation method matters too. Opt for baked, broiled, steamed, or grilled. Avoid anything heavily fried or sauced.
Tips for Safely Eating Prawns When You Have a Fever
If you choose to eat prawns when recovering from a fever, follow these tips to stay safe:
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Buy fresh prawns from a reputable seller, avoiding anything with an off odor or slimy texture.
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Clean prawns thoroughly, removing the shell, deveining, and rinsing well. Discard any dead prawns.
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Avoid cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards and utensils for prawns. Wash hands thoroughly.
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Cook prawns to an internal temperature of at least 145°F. They should be opaque and firm.
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Eat prawns soon after cooking and refrigerate leftovers immediately. Don’t let them sit at room temp.
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Start with small portions of 4-6 prawns to see how your body tolerates them. Stop eating if they make symptoms worse.
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Stay hydrated by sipping fluids throughout your meals and the day.
Being diligent with food safety practices helps minimize any risks related to eating prawns or seafood when your immune system is compromised.
Other Nourishing Foods to Eat During a Fever
While prawns can be a good option, here are some other nourishing foods to focus on when sick:
Fruits and Vegetables: High in antioxidants and vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, berries, tomatoes, spinach, kale, carrots, sweet potato.
Soups and Broths: Provide hydration and minerals. Chicken noodle soup is classic. Vegetable, bone broth, and miso soups also help.
Ginger: Reduces nausea, relieves headaches, decreases inflammation. Enjoy ginger tea, candied ginger, or add to smoothies.
Yogurt: Contains probiotics to support gut health and the immune response. Opt for unsweetened plain yogurt.
Oatmeal: Soft, bland carbs are easy to digest. Oatmeal provides fiber to relieve constipation.
Protein Foods: Chicken, eggs, tofu, beans, lentils. Protein helps repair tissues and fight infection.
Focus on hydration and getting adequate nutrition until your fever resolves. Then you can return to your normal diet, including those tasty prawns!
Preparing Seafood for Maximum Nutrition When Sick
Preparing seafood properly helps retain the most nutrients when your body needs them most:
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Buy seafood the day you plan to eat it for ultimate freshness. Look for bright eyes, red gills, and firm flesh.
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Rinse thoroughly under cold water. Use a brush to scrub mollusk shells clean.
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Cook seafood within 2 days of purchasing. Marinate for no more than 30 minutes.
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Bake, broil, grill, steam, or poach. Avoid frying which can destroy nutrients.
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Cook just until opaque and flaky. Overcooking dries out the flesh, altering the texture.
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Season simply with lemon, herbs, garlic, pepper, etc. Limit added salt and heavy sauces.
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Pair with vegetable sides like spinach, kale, carrots, or green beans to add antioxidants.
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Refrigerate leftovers immediately and consume within 3-4 days.
Following basic food safety practices and using healthy cooking methods ensures you maximize the nutritional value of seafood when your body needs it most.
Staying Hydrated While Eating Prawns with a Fever
Drinking enough fluids is critical when running a fever, whether or not you eat prawns. Here are tips to stay hydrated:
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Sip water, broth, diluted juices, electrolyte drinks, ginger ale, mint tea, and decaf coffee/tea throughout the day.
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Eat hydrating fruits and vegetables like watermelon, grapes, cucumbers, celery, strawberries, oranges, spinach, lettuce, etc.
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Choose lower-sodium broth-based soups. Limit creamy soups and avoid alcohol.
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Add a squeeze of lemon which can help you absorb more fluids.
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Consider oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte if experiencing diarrhea or vomiting.
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Avoid excess caffeine and sugary drinks which can dehydrate you.
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Take small sips frequently, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Dehydration creeps up easily when feverish.
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Listen to your body. Increase fluids if experiencing dark urine, dry mouth, fatigue, dizziness, or headaches.
Staying hydrated provides energy, flushes out toxins, regulates temperature, and keeps symptoms from worsening. Drink up!
The Bottom Line
Can you eat prawns when you have a fever? In most cases, yes. Prawns provide protein, vitamins, and minerals to help fight infection. However, take precautions by cleaning prawns thoroughly, cooking them fully, starting slow, and avoiding them if you have an allergy or cold symptoms.
Focus on staying hydrated, getting adequate nutrition, and listening to your body. While prawns can be part of a nourishing fever diet, pay attention to your personal tolerance. With the proper precautions, prawns can be a safe, nutritious component of your diet when you’re under the weather.
Caffeinated & Alcoholic Drinks
Running a fever can cause you to sweat and lose fluids. Since caffeine and alcohol can make you thirsty, it’s best to stay away from them and keep drinking water and electrolyte drinks.
While you may want comfort food when you’re sick, sugar-packed foods like donuts, cake, and other sweet treats don’t have many beneficial nutrients—if any at all. Too much sugar can also inflame your stomach and cause your immune system to work harder.
Foods To Eat During Fever
FAQ
Can we eat seafood during a fever?
Can you eat prawns when sick?
Which food should I avoid in a fever?
Are prawns hot or cold for you?
Should you eat fish & eggs in fever?
Well, there’s no denying that to boost immunity naturally, lean meat, fish and eggs are the most healthy options, but should you consume these in fever is a big question? Should you eat egg, fish or meat in fever?
Prawn vs Shrimp: Which is healthier?
There are no differences between the nutritional benefits between prawns and shrimp. They provide you a good source of protein, healthy fats and vitamins and minerals and yet low in calories. Prawns are good source of protein and provide some of most important nutrients that is vitamins and minerals that make up a healthy diet.
Can you eat fruit if you have a fever?
But keep in mind that some fruits, especially those with seeds and skin, have lots of fiber and may be hard to digest when you have a fever (because your digestive system probably isn’t in its best shape), she says. Stomach-friendly bananas and avocados are good options as they’re less likely to cause any gastrointestinal discomfort. 5.
What to eat during fever?
Interestingly, ‘what to eat during fever’ can be the most daunting question as the body is already fighting the infection and the medicines tend to impact the metabolism. In some cases fever dehydrates the body and this is the reason why health experts suggest intake of ample liquid and healthy nutritious food.