Getting knocked down by a fever can really sap your energy and appetite. But eating nutritious foods is important to help you recover. So what’s the verdict on mutton during fever? Let’s take a detailed look.
How Fever Affects Your Body
When you have a fever, your body temperature rises as part of your immune system’s attempt to fight infection This increased metabolic activity raises your calorie and nutrient needs at a time when you often feel too fatigued to eat well
Fever also diverts blood away from your digestive system, slowing digestion. Consuming heavy foods can further tax your digestive fire and cause discomfort.
Since proper nutrition provides the energy your body needs to heal, eating the right foods for fever is key. Light, nourishing foods are best to give your body a nutritional boost without overburdening your digestive system.
The Potential Benefits of Mutton
Mutton, or goat meat, has nutritional qualities that could help during fever recovery. Let’s look at some of the potential benefits:
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High-quality protein – Protein provides the amino acids needed for immune cell production and activity. Mutton is rich in protein, with over 25g per 3oz serving.
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Iron – Mutton contains substantial iron, which supports immune health by delivering oxygen to cells. Iron also combats fatigue.
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Zinc – This important mineral boosts immune response. Mutton provides high levels of zinc to help white blood cells fight infection.
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B Vitamins – Riboflavin, niacin, and B12 in mutton assist in antibody production and energy metabolism.
So in moderation, mutton could provide much-needed immune-supporting nutrients during fever.
Potential Drawbacks of Mutton in Fever
However, mutton does have some possible downsides when you’re already feeling under the weather:
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High in fat – The higher fat content of mutton could be difficult to digest when the digestive fire is impaired during fever.
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Heating quality – Mutton is considered a ‘hot’ food in Ayurveda. Its heating nature could exacerbate fever symptoms.
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Difficult to digest – In general, meats take longer to digest This could place added strain on the weakened digestive system
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Higher cholesterol – Mutton’s saturated fat elevates cholesterol levels, which are best kept in check when ill.
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Risk of parasites – Undercooked mutton may contain toxoplasma parasites, which can be dangerous during weakened immunity.
So while the nutrients could help, mutton’s fat content, heating qualities, and longer digestion time may do more harm than good in many fevers.
Tips for Safe Mutton Consumption During Fever
If you do wish to eat mutton during a fever, here are some tips to reduce risks and discomfort:
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Have only in small portions once fever subsides. Avoid during high fevers.
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Cook thoroughly until well done to kill any parasites. Avoid raw/undercooked mutton.
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Choose lean cuts and low-fat cooking methods like boiling in stew or soup. Limit fat intake.
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Pair with cooling foods like cucumber, coconut water, and yogurt to balance the heating quality.
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Eat only warm or room temperature mutton, not piping hot, to avoid increasing body heat.
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Combine with probiotics to support digestion of the heavy protein source.
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Stay very well hydrated and go slow. Stop eating if you feel discomfort.
Consulting an Ayurvedic practitioner or doctor for individualized guidance is wise.
Better Alternatives to Mutton During Fever
If avoiding mutton altogether, here are some nourishing and easy to digest alternatives to eat during fever:
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Chicken soup – Provides electrolytes, protein and fluids for recovery. Choose boneless pieces.
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Vegetable broths – Packed with vitamins and minerals. Opt for low-sodium.
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Eggs – An easy protein source, boiled or poached. Avoid fried.
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Yogurt – Contains probiotics, protein, fluids and calcium. Choose plain, unsweetened.
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Fruits – Nutrient-dense picks like oranges, applesauce, melon, grapes. High water content.
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Rice – Easily digested carbs. Can be the base for soupy congee or khichdi.
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Coconut water – Natural electrolytes prevent dehydration and fatigue.
Focusing your diet on fluids, soups, easily digestible proteins, soothing fruits and well-cooked veggies can speed up your recovery without overtaxing your body.
The Verdict
What We Should Not Eat During Fever
Fever is a medical symptom wherein there is a significant increase in body temperature. Compared to healthy adults, children have an increased risk of getting fever. Though fever is not an alarming condition, it can turn a life threatening condition too. One way to look at fever is not as a sickness itself, but as the body’s way of fighting off another illness that is attacking it. During fever you must not eat certain foods and the list goes thus.
List of foods to avoid during fever
When you have a fever, don’t eat red meat, fish, shellfish, or other meats because they are hard to digest. Since the body needs more energy to fight off the infection, you shouldn’t give it too many hard tasks at once.
Foods To Eat During Fever
FAQ
Is it okay to eat meat during a fever?
Which is better in fever mutton or chicken?
Is mutton soup good for fever?
Is mutton good for cold and cough?
Can you eat a chicken soup if you have a fever?
And just like there are certain foods to eat, there are also ones to avoid when you have a fever. It can be difficult to eat when you’re not in the mood, but you’ll get stronger by eating the right, nutrient-rich foods. These include: There’s a reason why chicken soup is a sick-food staple.
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.
What foods should you avoid if you have a fever?
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: Running a fever can cause you to sweat and lose fluids. Because caffeine and alcohol can dehydrate you, it’s best to steer away from them and continue to sip on water and electrolyte beverages.
Can you eat Indian food if you have a fever?
Drink this concoction every 2 hours. There are few Indian food to eat during fever. These not only are easy to digest but also help in improving the bad taste in the mouth. During fever it is important not to eat greasy, difficult to digest or spicy.