Good morning everyone, I’m currently sick I get my COVID test results back today hope it’s not that. But my question is those of you that have been sick while doing IF do you keep going with it or do you put it on pause until you get better. Is it beneficial to just keep toughing it out?
Look at it this way: Your body is fighting something. Wouldn’t you want to fuel your body with resources that it needs? It takes a lot of energy to fight infections. Also a lot of key nutrients that may or may not be as readily available.
So what’s the benefit of IF if your sick?
When I had COVID, I slept too much, and then I lost my senses of taste and smell. I lost a bunch of weight without even trying. I would suggest you try to heal - drink plenty and eat healthy. You’re not likely to gain weight if you are sick. And when you feel better, you can get back to IF.
IF has been shown to suppress immune function if you have been doing it too long, and the additional stress hormone released can stack with any other stressors in your life. Eat normally until you’re no longer sick or stressed
Listen to your body. Sometimes we lose our appetite when we are sick, and I think it’s for a reason. Taking a break from food while you’re sick, allows your body to focus its energy on healing, rather than digestion.
However, do not dehydrate yourself, and if you feel like eating and you do feel hungry, don’t put extra stress on your body by denying it food.
So to sum up my opinion, just listen to your body. :)
Get better soon!