can i eat curd in fever - #41525
I am really confused about what I should eat when I get fever. Last week, I suddenly came down with high fever — like 102° for two days, and it was the worst! I was sweating bullets, and nausea hit hard too. During that time, my family kept saying I should stay away from certain foods but I really craved curd! I’ve always found it soothing, but then I heard that dairy could make mucus worse or something? I read a couple of things online saying dairy is heavy and might not be ideal when you're sick. But then again, another friend said curd has probiotics and is good for gut health, right? Like, can I eat curd in fever? What if it actually helps me recover better? I'm just struggling to know whether that nurturing feeling of having some curd is good or bad. I didn't have much of an appetite overall, but still worried like, am I doing more harm than good by wanting to eat curd in fever? I’m trying to balance what I’m craving with what’s best for healing. Any insights would be super helpful!! Thanks in advance!
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Doctors' responses
When dealing with a fever, especially when nausea accompanies it, the focus should be on light and easily digestible foods that support your agni, or digestive fire. In Ayurveda, fever is often seen as a way the body fights off toxins, and during this time, digestive strength can be diminished. While curd, known for its sourness and heaviness, may not be the best choice as it might aggravate the kapha and pitta doshas during a fever, there are circumstances where it could be beneficial.
Curd does provide probiotics that aid in balancing the gut flora. However, its natural heaviness and potential to form mucus might indeed make it unsuitable when experiencing fever symptoms, particularly if you’re dealing with respiratory congestion or nausea, which you’ve mentioned. The body’s need during fever is typically for warming, light foods that kindles digestion without overburdening it.
Instead, opt for easier-to-digest alternatives such as buttermilk or lassi, which are more dilute than curd and less likely to aggravate kapha. These can provide similar probiotic benefits in a form that’s easier on the stomach. To make buttermilk: dilute a spoonful of curd with 4-5 parts water, churn well, and add cumin or ginger to enhance its digestibility. Enjoy this at room temperature instead of cold to further support digestive process.
Other ideal choices would be warm, cooked, mushy foods like rice or moong dal khichdi, which are nourishing yet gentle on the stomach. Stick to warm, soft, and spiced foods with ingredients like ginger, turmeric, or black pepper, known for their warming properties and ability to support digestion and fight inflammation.
If symptoms persist or worsen, it’s important to seek medical guidance, especially for high or prolonged fevers. While satisfying cravings might seem comforting, it should be balanced with what’s truly best for healing your body at this time.

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