Eating when ill

I have a throat infection, there seems to be a lot of that going around here. My stomach doesn't hurt, but I just don't feel hungry. I was able to force myself to eat 1200 calories yesterday, but today I have only have 540 and it already 7:30 pm here. I just don't feel hungry. It isn't because my throat is bothering me because even though my throat does hurt it doesn't hurt more to eat unless have something high in citric acid (have been doing other things to get Vitamin C because of this). Should I force myself to eat or should I listen to my body and only eat when I feel like it? I have been drinking a lot of liquids mostly water and tea.

As long as you weren't on the border of eating not enough before you got sick, I don't think it is a big deal.  Listen to your body.  There is a reason that sometimes you are really hungry when you are sick and sometimes food seems disgusting.  When you feel better you will likely have a day or two where you feel really really hungry.  You should go ahead and eat more then.  It all balances out if you are listening to your body and eating healthy foods.

I am glad you are getting lots of liquids.  It is the best thing for your body when you are sick.  Some broth might feel good on your throat and be a nice change.

Thanks for your advice. No, I was eating enough before I got ill. One of my good friends had a stroke shortly before New Year's (he is only 31) so it made me take more notice of my health after that. I am trying to lose a little weight, but mostly just trying to eat better, and it is no big deal if I don't manage to lose the weight as long as I manage to keep the new better eating habits.

The thing is, the body needs the nutrients even more so when fighting infection.  I suggest making a smoothie with whatever fruit you have blended with yogurt or milk and ice (maybe even a tbl of peanut butter for some more protein).  Gargling with warm salt water will help your throat feel better, as would chicken noodle soup...

I've actually heard your body wants you to liquid fast while sick to give the digestive system a break and let it focus on getting you better. I'm not sure how true that is, but either way, since your body seems to be resisting food anyways, try fruit & veggie juices and smoothies instead.

Your body may be 'focused' on fighting the illness and not sending you the hunger signals, but you should still give it enough energy. I think you should try eating smaller high-calorie foods like nuts or seeds to keep your calories up to at least 1200.

Also, if you are drinking more fluid than normal (which is good to help your body fight an illness) you will not feel as hungry. Properly fueling your body will mean a faster recovery. But, if you don't eat enough during your illness, you will be more hungry after recovery and probably 'make up' for the calories you didn't eat during your illness. Either way it'll probably balance out. Get well soon. :)

Thanks, I will get one of my flat mates to get some nuts for me. The supermarket is too far to go when I am feeling like this. I don't tend to buy things like that because I do eat them if there are around. The only treats I keep around aren't really healthy, so nuts will be good because the only protein I am eating is coming from Greek yogurt and rice. You probably right about the extra liquid making me less hungry, especially if I have eaten too much early in the day and get hungry before dinner I drink a lot of green tea. I usually have 2-2.5 litres of liquid a day and I have been drinking 3.5 litres since Monday.

Drink LOTS of hot honey and lemon drinks (1/2 lemon squeezed and a tablespoon of honey mixed in hot water and allowed to cool to drinking temperature... (I know you said that citric acid hurts but the honey should neutralise the burn, and your body needs the vitamin C...) Don't be afraid of the calories in the honey - you need fuel to fight the infection.

And drink anything you want that has calories in it if you don't feel up to having food... it won't hurt to drink your meals for a few days.