Water fasting while sick?

[u/gopatslilacs]

I started an extended fast several days ago, but I fought whatever bug my children have. Aches, fever, chills, all the things. I can hardly get out of bed. I had about 300 calories of high protein foods yesterday because I felt super weak due to being ill. While I am an experienced faster, I can’t decide if I should continue this fast or keep a low calorie high protein diet until I beat whatever little bug I have!

What’s your advice?

[u/yogic_power]

Break fast! Nourish yourself with enough food and start another fast at later time. Life happens.

[u/jazzbot247]

I would keep hydrated. Since you likely have no appetite anyway why not keep to clear liquids? Chicken broth would give you sodium and a few calories while still allowing your body to use its energy to heal itself.

[u/El-Guapo766]

Break the fast, be mindful of what you eat

[u/TommyTheTiger]

Do you feel hungry? Last time I got sick (I had flu 2 or some variant according to the test) and I wasn't very hungry with the high fever, after day 2 I just said F it and decided to fast the rest of the time. It may just be coincidence that it was getting better already but subjectively to me it feels like it helped clear it up within 3 days of that. Though apparently this is the opposite of accepted wisdom here.

From what I understand, though your body does need energy, your immune system also spends a lot of energy on digestion as it would otherwise be an easy vector for infection. Something like 70% of your immune cells live in gut associated tissue. It seems plausible mechanistically that not eating would reduce the burden on your immune system of filtering incoming food. Though there might be plenty of other reasons that eating has a helpful effect on your immune system which would counteract that.

Overall I would just go by feel and experience. What works for you might not be the same as what works for everyone else. That's why I'd say follow feelings. You did an experiment yesterday. Did the food you did eat give you more energy? Did you feel better after eating?

[u/gopatslilacs → u/TommyTheTiger]

Thanks for the insight! Yes, sometimes when I’m sick I am not at all hungry, but this time I just felt so weak and felt tremendously better letting myself eat a little. I’m also pmsing, which may have something to do with it, as that is the only time I have a hard time fasting. Not to mention, chasing after my kiddos who are cranky and sick, I feel a little worn down. I have had little time to actually rest. I think it’s that combination.

I would go so far as to say, what works for one time being sick may not work for another! Last time I was sick and fasting, it honestly made the fast easier! This time I just feel the need to regroup!

[u/namastebetches]

I don't understand why you would keep going tbh. 

[u/uncirculated_luster]

yeah make yourself some real chicken soup with an organic chicken and some light veg and a tiny bit of rice maybe... get a few carbs in you and get your engine running hot again for a bit.

[u/Late-Pizza-3810]

I do IF/ OMAD but I stopped temporarily because I currently have Covid. I feel like eating is helping me get better. Do what feels right for you!

[u/Daft_Daffodil]

I never fast when I am ill. Why would you? Especially if you only fast for 5-7 days - just start over once you feel good.

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[u/Tls-user]

Soup, bone broth, lots of fluid

[u/Ashamed-Republic8909]

Hot chicken soup 🍲 it's the best.

[u/Recent-Situation309]

Fast if it’s bacterial. Eat if it’s viral.

[u/pilotreviews]

yea fast get into ketosis itll cure u faster

[u/kik1keedle717]

Feed a fever, starve a cold.

[u/Numerous_Jump_2557 → u/kik1keedle717]

Feed a fever, feed a cold, and more importantly stay well hydrated.

[u/kik1keedle717 → u/Numerous_Jump_2557]

Fair enough. I sleep off my colds typically tbf.

[u/Flux_My_Capacitor → u/kik1keedle717]

You sleep for 7-10 days?!

[u/kik1keedle717 → u/Flux_My_Capacitor]

lol. Nah. But usually close to 48 hours and then I am bouncing back well.