We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Does anyone else get really hungry when you're sick?

CDogg17
CDogg17 Posts: 27
edited February 14 in Health and Weight Loss
I hear all these people losing weight when they get sick because they don't have an appetite. I'm just the opposite! Unless I'm throwing up, I just want to eat, eat, eat. I've got a chest cold with a cough so I'm trying to take it easy and not work out today, but my stomach wants me to go running just so I can eat more…lol. Anyone else?

Replies

  • ab_1203
    ab_1203 Posts: 88 Member
    Im the same. Ive been on both sides, eating more and one time eating less. I felt better and recovered better eating more. I think it does depend on the illness but your body is fighting so fueling it with more energy might be good.
  • Graelwyn75
    Graelwyn75 Posts: 4,404 Member
    I may be wrong, but I am fairly sure the body must use more energy to repair itself when we are sick. I was unwell for most of December with a very severe chest infection and flu, and hardly gained anything even though I had to cease working out, having worked out 5-6 days a week intensely, and even though I was eating as if still working out.
  • devil_in_a_blue_dress
    devil_in_a_blue_dress Posts: 5,214 Member
    YES.

    I ate 1-2k over my goal for several days --- didn't gain, must have needed it.
  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    Yes. My appetite never changes unless it's a stomach virus.
  • KristinD789
    KristinD789 Posts: 8
    Interesting. I was just reading this article earlier about how your body needs more energy when it is sick.

    http://greatist.com/health/best-foods-eat-when-sick
  • Llamapants86
    Llamapants86 Posts: 1,221 Member
    Yes, some times I think it is because I am doing less (I will stay at home more, not move around as much etc) so eating fills the fidget need. Other times it is because I have to fuel my immune system. I tend to have trouble telling those apart.
  • ThinkInOregon
    ThinkInOregon Posts: 283
    When I am sick, I do not have any appetite. Have to force myself to even drink water just to stay hydrated.

    Getting hungry doesn't surprise me though. Your metabolic rate is increased when you have a fever, or coughing, or even violent vomiting. So your body is just wanting the depleted stores replenished.
  • hiyomi
    hiyomi Posts: 906 Member
    It really depends on me, usually if I have a fever I don't eat, fevers just kill me x.x or if I get strep throat, which I've tended to get since I was small, usually my throat is too sore to eat. If it's just a normal cold or flu though I tend to eat normally, or even a lot xD
  • jamesalytle
    jamesalytle Posts: 112 Member
    i'm the same too. I can usually tell when i'm about to get sick by the fact that i'm crazy hungry.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories