Lately, a lot of you guys have been getting sick. We’re not even in winter yet and already the cold, damp weather is affecting your health.

When I was growing up, the old adage, “starve a fever and feed a cold,” was implemented feverishly in the Belott household.

But, is that sound “medical” advice or is it a fallacy?

Denise Snyder, a nutrition scientist and clinical trials manager at the Duke University School of Nursing, says that when you have a fever, your body’s natural defense mechanism is not to eat, as it aids in the immune system’s fight against infections. So, you most likely won’t be too hungry anyway. She does also concur that drinking fluids like fruit and vegetable juices and warm broths can only aid in the fight against a fever, as they help thin and, therefore eliminate, any mucous that has developed in one’s system.

Since colds normally last longer than fevers, Snyder believes that “feeding” them is just a matter of keeping your nutrient and energy levels up while the virus runs its course. Good choices of what to eat include yogurts with active cultures, and whole grains like oatmeal – which delivers selenium, zinc and beta-glucan, – that are known to support your immune system.

I know it’s hard to believe, but your trainer is not telling you to eat those types of food so you can stay on your diet when you’re sick. The reason is that softer food is easy to digest allowing the nutrients to be released quickly resulting in you getting back on your feet and in the gym as fast as possible.