Hunger and the cold

jenny3008
jenny3008 Posts: 97 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Does anyone else get really hungry when they have a cold?

I have a cold and although yesterday when I felt rubbish I wasn't all that hungry, today I am starving. Don't seem to be able to get enough food into me and of course I want to eat all the 'wrong' things.

I want pasta and cheese and pastry and chocolate, in huge quantities.

I have to say the soup, chicken and greek yoghurt I ate instead are just not ticking those cravings boxes

Replies

  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,741 Member
    No, sorry, I'm quite the opposite when I have a cold: my taste buds get all messed up and nothing tastes (or smells good, due to clogged nasal passages). Maybe it's related to something else?
  • ana3067
    ana3067 Posts: 5,623 Member
    You are hungry because you didn't eat enough yesterday, or at least I'm assuming this based on your comment about lacking hunger yesterday.
  • nickatine
    nickatine Posts: 451 Member
    no but I find when the fall moves into the winter and gets colder im get more hungry until I adjust to the temp change>
  • Numberwang22
    Numberwang22 Posts: 213 Member
    There is a saying to "feed a cold but starve a fever" which may explain why you might be hungry with one and not the other. Be kind to yourself when poorly, plenty of time to diet.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    ana3067 wrote: »
    You are hungry because you didn't eat enough yesterday, or at least I'm assuming this based on your comment about lacking hunger yesterday.
    This
  • jenny3008
    jenny3008 Posts: 97 Member
    ana3067 wrote: »
    You are hungry because you didn't eat enough yesterday, or at least I'm assuming this based on your comment about lacking hunger yesterday.

    I still ate three solid meals and snacks it was on the lower end of my normal calories as it was soup for lunch and fish and veg for dinner. I'm not one for starving myself hence its taken nearly 3 years to lose 12kg :blush:
    BZAH10 wrote: »
    No, sorry, I'm quite the opposite when I have a cold: my taste buds get all messed up and nothing tastes (or smells good, due to clogged nasal passages). Maybe it's related to something else?

    Maybe I'm just in a greedy mood today but I've managed to stay within 50 calories or something of my goal and I've done a pretty strenuous circuits class so I will live with it :smiley:
  • ana3067
    ana3067 Posts: 5,623 Member
    jenny3008 wrote: »
    ana3067 wrote: »
    You are hungry because you didn't eat enough yesterday, or at least I'm assuming this based on your comment about lacking hunger yesterday.

    I still ate three solid meals and snacks it was on the lower end of my normal calories as it was soup for lunch and fish and veg for dinner. I'm not one for starving myself hence its taken nearly 3 years to lose 12kg :blush:
    BZAH10 wrote: »
    No, sorry, I'm quite the opposite when I have a cold: my taste buds get all messed up and nothing tastes (or smells good, due to clogged nasal passages). Maybe it's related to something else?

    Maybe I'm just in a greedy mood today but I've managed to stay within 50 calories or something of my goal and I've done a pretty strenuous circuits class so I will live with it :smiley:

    You still probably under-ate for that day, though. Especially if you don't weigh your food or if you use generic entries, which can easily be off (just possibilities). if you eat normal today and tomorrow you are still starving, then maybe re-evaluate your calorie intake?
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    Feed the cold (and the fever.)

    You need a few more calories to fight off infection, so if you want a few more, eat them. And don't skimp on the water. Water helps break up that stuff that's clogging up your head.

    Feel better soon! :)
  • Veryme
    Veryme Posts: 19 Member
    jenny3008 wrote: »
    Does anyone else get really hungry when they have a cold?

    I have a cold and although yesterday when I felt rubbish I wasn't all that hungry, today I am starving. Don't seem to be able to get enough food into me and of course I want to eat all the 'wrong' things.

    I want pasta and cheese and pastry and chocolate, in huge quantities.

    I have to say the soup, chicken and greek yoghurt I ate instead are just not ticking those cravings boxes

    I am like you too!!!! I also eat a lot when have cold ot high fever. And when stressed., maybe body wants to get more storage in case things are getting harder... And yes, these are heavy foods like meat and chocolate ... Try to set your mind for more warm liquids ( homemade hot chcolate or tea with lemon and honey ) instead if huge amounts of cookies.. Good luck
  • CynthiasChoice
    CynthiasChoice Posts: 1,047 Member
    You may actually be thirsty, not hungry. You lose fluids during a cold, so you need to make those up, plus drink extra to help your body get rid of the virus. I never used to heed this advise, but I finally did during my last cold. I drank about 14 cups a day, and the cold went away fast!
  • jenny3008
    jenny3008 Posts: 97 Member
    Thanks all

    I'm drinking plenty and I weigh all my foods, I'm a little obsessed truth be told but the scales and measure tape are moving in the right direction so its working even if ever so slowly.

    I think my body just wanted/needed the extra to burn off the cold and my mind wanted all the comfort foods because I'm a wimp and I felt poorly. Neither got their way I had a balanced healthy day with plenty of protein and vegetables and loads of water. Cold is shifting now and my hunger levels have gone back to their normal high levels

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