Eating at maintenance when sick?

elphie754

So unfortunately I have come down with the cold everyone seems to be getting. I work in healthcare and typically have a great immune system, but I over did the holiday over time and just got run down. Anyway, usually I eat 1300 cals (more if my fitbit shows I have been active enough to eat more). I would like to feel better ASAP so was wondering if maybe eating at maintenance while I have symptoms would be better than a deficit. I feel like it will help my body fight the infection better. Does anyone/has anyone done this? Did it help?

brynnsmom

Well, you should put your health first and if you feel you need to eat more to get well then there's your answer! Eating at maintenance for a few days won't do you any harm. Sometimes when I'm sick I feel hungrier, other times I have no appetite. Follow your body's cues. Feel better soon!

elphie754

brynnsmom wrote: »

Well, you should put your health first and if you feel you need to eat more to get well then there's your answer! Eating at maintenance for a few days won't do you any harm. Sometimes when I'm sick I feel hungrier, other times I have no appetite. Follow your body's cues. Feel better soon!

I unfortunately do not have much of an appetite (post nasal drip makes everything taste like mucus). That combined with the pseudofed, just kills it. I know I need to force myself to eat though otherwise I get weak and shakey at work. I've been trying to go with some more calorie dense foods.

Francl27

Well, typically when you're sick you're not burning as many calories because you're not moving much too, so I'd just eat what your fitbit tells you you are burning in a day, which I guess would be maintenance if you're sedentary.

cbhubbybubble

I believe your body needs fuel when fighting a bug. I don't track or log when I'm sick. I eat what I want for a few days and don't worry about it....soup,tea, and ginger ale are my cold and flu go to foods.

Patttience

I suspect you are eating at a very large deficit anyway which isn't really a great idea in the first place in my opinion, at least not for longer than say 3 months.

And you know the old saying starve a fever feed a cold. Well i'd say its time to feed your cold. Which of course only means eating at maintenance. Its primarily nutrients your body needs so it still matters what you eat.

Also as you are working in healthcare, (are you hanging around sick people?) then you should probably not be going to work at all. Personally i don't think people should go to work when they are contagious with colds and/or feeling really *kitten* due to having a cold.

Liftng4Lis

Personally, unless I'm vomiting, I see no reason to change anything. Eat when you're hungry.

elphie754

Patttience wrote: »

I suspect you are eating at a very large deficit anyway which isn't really a great idea in the first place in my opinion, at least not for longer than say 3 months.

And you know the old saying starve a fever feed a cold. Well i'd say its time to feed your cold. Which of course only means eating at maintenance. Its primarily nutrients your body needs so it still matters what you eat.

Also as you are working in healthcare, (are you hanging around sick people?) then you should probably not be going to work at all. Personally i don't think people should go to work when they are contagious with colds and/or feeling really *kitten* due to having a cold.

My deficit is 1000 cals, set by my physician and a nutritionist.

Yes I am typically around sick people (or people who believe they are sick). I'm a medic. Not going to work is not an option right now. Thankfully after tonight I'm off for 2 days. I have no fever, no cough, no sneezing (ie no symptoms that would make spreading things easier). More so a sore throat (not strep- already tested for it), post nasal drip and head congestion. Basically just annoying enough to be noticeable lol. I'm extremely careful about attempting not to share my germs. I typically have an amazing immune system, but it seems like everyone caught the same thing at the same time (multiple sick coworkers, some of whom are too sick to come in). I'm just thankful its not worse.

psuLemon

When you are sick or injured it's always a good reason to eat at maintenance to give your body the most available nutrients to repair your body. Keep in mind that a deficit is stress on your body, so minimizing the stress will help your repair faster. In fact, if you are a burn victim, they have you on a higher calorie diet to aid in recovery. Personally, I would at least minimize your deficit. But also realize, since you are on steep deficit, when you add back calories, you will generally add back carbs which will increase water weight. So don't freak out if you gain a few lbs of water.

Also, when you get better, it may be beneficial to lower your deficit to add more resources for your immune system.

RodaRose

When you are sick, you might not need to focus as much on your macros. Try to get some calories.

elphie754

psulemon wrote: »

When you are sick or injured it's always a good reason to eat at maintenance to give your body the most available nutrients to repair your body. Keep in mind that a deficit is stress on your body, so minimizing the stress will help your repair faster. In fact, if you are a burn victim, they have you on a higher calorie diet to aid in recovery. Personally, I would at least minimize your deficit. But also realize, since you are on steep deficit, when you add back calories, you will generally add back carbs which will increase water weight. So don't freak out if you gain a few lbs of water.

Also, when you get better, it may be beneficial to lower your deficit to add more resources for your immune system.

I am not restricting carbs at all. My carbs are typically higher than most because I eat a lot of rice and fruit. I also am not going to be lowering my deficit after since that is where my MD wants me. I have however added 500 cals to my daily budget for the next few days while symptomatic.

GaleHawkins

elphie754 wrote: »

Patttience wrote: »

I suspect you are eating at a very large deficit anyway which isn't really a great idea in the first place in my opinion, at least not for longer than say 3 months.

And you know the old saying starve a fever feed a cold. Well i'd say its time to feed your cold. Which of course only means eating at maintenance. Its primarily nutrients your body needs so it still matters what you eat.

Also as you are working in healthcare, (are you hanging around sick people?) then you should probably not be going to work at all. Personally i don't think people should go to work when they are contagious with colds and/or feeling really *kitten* due to having a cold.

My deficit is 1000 cals, set by my physician and a nutritionist.

Yes I am typically around sick people (or people who believe they are sick). I'm a medic. Not going to work is not an option right now. Thankfully after tonight I'm off for 2 days. I have no fever, no cough, no sneezing (ie no symptoms that would make spreading things easier). More so a sore throat (not strep- already tested for it), post nasal drip and head congestion. Basically just annoying enough to be noticeable lol. I'm extremely careful about attempting not to share my germs. I typically have an amazing immune system, but it seems like everyone caught the same thing at the same time (multiple sick coworkers, some of whom are too sick to come in). I'm just thankful its not worse.

If you physician and or nutritionist are in their office give them a call in the morning. If I was under eating by 30,000 calories a month I would be very sick in my case.

Hope you get better soon.

MuddyEquestrian

When I'm sick I tend to let myself eat when I'm hungry even if I've already had my calories for the day. That said I don't eat junk and I stick to my "diet" of healthy foods. I also make sure I'm actually hungry and not just bored, tired or whatever. Let your body have more fuel if it wants it! Just don't eat above your maintenance calories and you're good to go.

elphie754

GaleHawkins wrote: »

elphie754 wrote: »

Patttience wrote: »

I suspect you are eating at a very large deficit anyway which isn't really a great idea in the first place in my opinion, at least not for longer than say 3 months.

And you know the old saying starve a fever feed a cold. Well i'd say its time to feed your cold. Which of course only means eating at maintenance. Its primarily nutrients your body needs so it still matters what you eat.

Also as you are working in healthcare, (are you hanging around sick people?) then you should probably not be going to work at all. Personally i don't think people should go to work when they are contagious with colds and/or feeling really *kitten* due to having a cold.

My deficit is 1000 cals, set by my physician and a nutritionist.

Yes I am typically around sick people (or people who believe they are sick). I'm a medic. Not going to work is not an option right now. Thankfully after tonight I'm off for 2 days. I have no fever, no cough, no sneezing (ie no symptoms that would make spreading things easier). More so a sore throat (not strep- already tested for it), post nasal drip and head congestion. Basically just annoying enough to be noticeable lol. I'm extremely careful about attempting not to share my germs. I typically have an amazing immune system, but it seems like everyone caught the same thing at the same time (multiple sick coworkers, some of whom are too sick to come in). I'm just thankful its not worse.

If you physician and or nutritionist are in their office give them a call in the morning. If I was under eating by 30,000 calories a month I would be very sick in my case.

Hope you get better soon.

Called my MD this am and she said to make sure I increase fluid (which I already have), get lots of rest (not so good at but luckily have next two days off) and not to worry about calories for the time being. If I'm not better by Thursday she wants me to come in to make sure I don't need antibiotics (which I usually refuse to take anyway since I'm allergic to most).

Thank you everyone for the input and suggestions. A family member made me a huge pot of chicken and rice soup, so soup it is for the next few days .