SICK: How many calories should I consume?

Alee4nia
Alee4nia Posts: 168 Member
edited October 6 in Food and Nutrition
I am really sick with cold, fever, sore throat, sneezing, runny nose, the works basically...I typically eat 1200 calories, but that is too low imo while you are sick. Any suggestions on how to calculate a sick calorie intake...or ideas for that matter...

Thanks much everyone!
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Replies

  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    I don't know, but I am also sick with similar symptoms, and can't bring myself to eat anything much. I think I am on about 900 for the day.
  • killagb
    killagb Posts: 3,280 Member
    I would just listen to your body and eat if you are hungry...drink lots of fluids and get better. Worry about tracking after you get better. That's my advice anyhow.
  • BobbyClerici
    BobbyClerici Posts: 813 Member
    Load up on fresh fruits and veggies - forget counting calories for a day.
  • Alee4nia
    Alee4nia Posts: 168 Member
    thanks all...i am glad I listened to my body yesterday...i felt a little guilty just eating whatever...but will definitely try to make it nutrient rich
  • crisnis
    crisnis Posts: 83 Member
    Your body is going to need more calories while it fights this illness, but how much more no one can say. Eat good calories and drink as much fluids as you're able.
  • merB89
    merB89 Posts: 122
    Yes, I would forget calorie counting for the day as well. Eat some nutritious food if you can, fruits and veggies and maybe a little comfort food too. Chicken noodle soup! or some grilled cheese? You just need to fuel your body so it can fight this off. Feel better! Dont forget liquids!
  • Pookylou
    Pookylou Posts: 988 Member
    Another sicky here :( I'm trying to eat as well as possible and do a little exercise (the dog still needs walking), bloody exhausted though!
  • MarinaPacheco
    MarinaPacheco Posts: 95 Member
    I just got over a similar cold and I was ravenously hungry all the time, so I carried on counting cals, but upped them to my maintenance amount, so I didn't loose, but at least I also didn't gain.
  • CMmrsfloyd
    CMmrsfloyd Posts: 2,380 Member
    I felt awful yesterday, did not exercise, planned out my calories and logged enough food to just barely hit my maintenance calories, but then ended up eating 200 over maintenance in 'I feel like crap' snacks after I'd finished logging. Then today my scale was finally down 1.6 lbs after being stuck for a week. LOL So yeah don't stress over trying to be under on calories. Go ahead and eat if you have an appetite.
  • Alee4nia
    Alee4nia Posts: 168 Member
    I don't know, but I am also sick with similar symptoms, and can't bring myself to eat anything much. I think I am on about 900 for the day.

    Hope you feel better soon!
  • Alee4nia
    Alee4nia Posts: 168 Member
    Another sicky here :( I'm trying to eat as well as possible and do a little exercise (the dog still needs walking), bloody exhausted though!

    I hope you feel better real soon!!! Honestly I am so miserable right now...
  • Alee4nia
    Alee4nia Posts: 168 Member
    I felt awful yesterday, did not exercise, planned out my calories and logged enough food to just barely hit my maintenance calories, but then ended up eating 200 over maintenance in 'I feel like crap' snacks after I'd finished logging. Then today my scale was finally down 1.6 lbs after being stuck for a week. LOL So yeah don't stress over trying to be under on calories. Go ahead and eat if you have an appetite.


    Hope you feel better soon too...crossing my fingers for weigh in day...it's wednesday!
  • Alee4nia
    Alee4nia Posts: 168 Member
    I just got over a similar cold and I was ravenously hungry all the time, so I carried on counting cals, but upped them to my maintenance amount, so I didn't loose, but at least I also didn't gain.

    Exactly, I feel extra hungry too...
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    I don't know, but I am also sick with similar symptoms, and can't bring myself to eat anything much. I think I am on about 900 for the day.

    Hope you feel better soon!

    Thanks! You too.
  • Jagmamma
    Jagmamma Posts: 8
    Yes, I would forget calorie counting for the day as well. Eat some nutritious food if you can, fruits and veggies and maybe a little comfort food too. Chicken noodle soup! or some grilled cheese? You just need to fuel your body so it can fight this off. Feel better! Dont forget liquids!

    My advice exactly. Avoid junk because honestly, it would make it just as hard for your body to heal itself as eating too few calories, you know? Comfort food can be nutritious too! :D
  • sunnybrunette126
    sunnybrunette126 Posts: 200 Member
    I'm sick too and all I want is my bed.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I vote for "skip the logging" too. Eat if you feel up to it. Don't eat if you don't. Drink plenty of fluids and rest as needed. Then get back to it when you're feeling better.
  • Pookylou
    Pookylou Posts: 988 Member
    Another sicky here :( I'm trying to eat as well as possible and do a little exercise (the dog still needs walking), bloody exhausted though!

    I hope you feel better real soon!!! Honestly I am so miserable right now...

    Aw thanks, you too, big cyber hugs coming your way x
  • gazerofthestars
    gazerofthestars Posts: 255 Member
    I was in an accident recently where I injured my thigh pretty badly and was advised a complete break from cardio for 3-4 days. was also told to up my cals and to eat more nutritiously. I ended up eating 200 over my net for a couple of days (which consisted of a few extra veggies, more oranges).
    3rd day the scale showed a loss of 2 lbs!

    best thing you could do is to supply your body what it needs, especially in times when it could use the extra energy to recover! perhaps in my case it gave my metabolism a boost.

    And remember you're in this journey for the long-haul and its important to keep yourself on a mental high!
  • paladeac
    paladeac Posts: 81 Member
    Yes, I would forget calorie counting for the day as well. Eat some nutritious food if you can, fruits and veggies and maybe a little comfort food too. Chicken noodle soup! or some grilled cheese? You just need to fuel your body so it can fight this off. Feel better! Dont forget liquids!

    My advice exactly. Avoid junk because honestly, it would make it just as hard for your body to heal itself as eating too few calories, you know? Comfort food can be nutritious too! :D

    I've been getting sick over the course of the day, so that's what I'm doing. Home for some Russian Tea!
  • Alee4nia
    Alee4nia Posts: 168 Member
    I'm sick too and all I want is my bed.

    Hoping you body heals in no time!
  • Alee4nia
    Alee4nia Posts: 168 Member
    I was in an accident recently where I injured my thigh pretty badly and was advised a complete break from cardio for 3-4 days. was also told to up my cals and to eat more nutritiously. I ended up eating 200 over my net for a couple of days (which consisted of a few extra veggies, more oranges).
    3rd day the scale showed a loss of 2 lbs!

    best thing you could do is to supply your body what it needs, especially in times when it could use the extra energy to recover! perhaps in my case it gave my metabolism a boost.

    And remember you're in this journey for the long-haul and its important to keep yourself on a mental high!


    Hoping your recovery is a speedy one!
  • spottedlee
    spottedlee Posts: 372
    You mean we can't rely on grandma's remedy (chicken soup) and OJ?
  • firstsip
    firstsip Posts: 8,399 Member
    Bumping for current nationwide sickness--most everyone here said, "Eat if you can; don't bother checking." That's fine, but most medical research says that eating at a prolonged deficit can contribute to a compromised immune system.

    I've been sick since Tuesday with no other symptoms than a mild headache, weak/tiredness (not extreme), and crazy inflamed lymph nodes. I've been eating at my BMR/slightly below my BMR (about 1400-1500) for a month, and I'm concerned that eating JUST at my BMR or slightly lower isn't doing my (sick) body any favors.

    Any updates to people who have gotten sick and upped their calories? Did you feel better faster?

    I want to lift ;(
  • CMmrsfloyd
    CMmrsfloyd Posts: 2,380 Member
    Your body needs energy and nutrition to fight off illness. I vote maintenance calories or at least somewhat close to it when sick. Maintenance won't make you gain weight but it might help you feel better. :-)
  • Lori19509
    Lori19509 Posts: 41 Member
    Sicky 2013:
    I have been eating really well until I got sick with cold/ sinus infection. The first few days I was eating well as the week rolled out I gave into junk. Now I noticed that it has made me feel
    sleep iceday I'm pushing to eat better. Tomorrow I go to the doctor, now I have hot flashes, weakness, tiredness. PLEASE DONT EAT JUNK, IT WILL MAKE YOU FEEL WORSE, UPSET YOU, REST THE BEST YOU CAN.i cant sleep in the daytime
  • twixlepennie
    twixlepennie Posts: 1,074 Member
    Add me to the sick group-horrible cough (my kids had it for weeks and it turned to bronchitis yippee). So far I've had a sweet potato and am at about 500 calories. I have absolutely no appetite and can't taste a thing (think all the Halls I've been popping have burned off my taste buds :grumble: ). Who knows if I'll eat anything else today-food sounds awful right now bleh.
  • Lori19509
    Lori19509 Posts: 41 Member
    Today my appetite is down. Our you getting hot flashes big time too. Especially after hot or warm things go in, tears.
  • GingerLolita
    GingerLolita Posts: 738 Member
    Don't worry about losing weight, but I recommend logging to make sure you don't go above your maintenance calories. Sometimes it's easier and more appetizing to reach for unhealthy choices when you're sick, so logging will help to make sure you're not overeating, especially if your appetite and hunger regulation are a bit messed up. I've been sick for the past week and have very little appetite, so I'm eating around my BMR to lose 1 pound/week. I don't want to go lower because I don't want my body struggling to recover.
  • Lori19509
    Lori19509 Posts: 41 Member
    Today my appetite is down. Our you getting hot flashes big time too. Especially after hot or warm things go in, tears.
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