ChristusG Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Ever since I was a kid I haven't eaten dairy when I've had a fever because my mom always said it would curdle in your stomach and cause vomiting. In turn, I don't let my kids have their daily cup of chocolate milk if they are running a fever. Well, for a while I've been thinking it's an old wives tale....it just doesn't make sense to me. What does The Hive think? Honestly, I woke up this morning with a fever, stuffiness, and a sore throat and I really want a bowl of ice cream to ease my throat LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truscifi Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 I've never heard that about a fever, but I can tell you from personal experience that milk can curdle on your stomach if you drink it and then go run around outside on a very hot day. Yuck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Marmalade Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 I'm not sure about the curdling and vomiting... But, dairy does increase mucus production, so when we're sick here I avoid it completely to reduce any symptoms that involve mucus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Nonsense. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Old wives' tale. But ITA...dairy is a mucus-causing food. Any illness that includes congestion should mean no dairy...fever or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary in VA Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 But, dairy does increase mucus production, so when we're sick here I avoid it completely to reduce any symptoms that involve mucus. :iagree:We avoid dairy when we have colds because it increases mucus production. Have some sorbet instead, or a popsicle to ease your throat. It think the curdling and vomiting is an old wives' tale. Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwickimom Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 I withhold the chocolate milk for the very same reason! I am NOT taking chances with any kind of puke :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen500 Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 I'm not sure about the curdling and vomiting... But, dairy does increase mucus production, so when we're sick here I avoid it completely to reduce any symptoms that involve mucus. Our pediatrician said that this is a myth also (dairy increasing mucus). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 It is a myth= both that it increases mucus and that it curdles in your stomach because of the fever. Actually I bet it always curdles in your stomach-there is a lot of stomach acid dissolving food for your body to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Myth. Trust me, when that dairy hits your stomach, at any temperature, it curdles immediately in the acid environment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Nonsense. :) :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onceuponatime Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Myth. However... milk does aggravate stomach and intestinal issues that are already existing. So, I always cut out all dairy when my kids have the stomach bug. I don't let them have any until the symptoms have cleared up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Myth. Trust me, when that dairy hits your stomach, at any temperature, it curdles immediately in the acid environment. This. I also read recently that even if you drink 'spoiled' milk that it won't make you sick. Well, I mean if you could get it down before gagging and throwing it up. But your stomach can handle it fine. Not that I am going to take any chances. I am a milk snob. I only drink it for 2 days after it has been opened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 According to our pediatric gastrointestinologist(sp?), it's untrue. He said to give them anything they wanted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 I've always heard that when getting over the stomach flu, you should drink something like flat 7-up, so that's what we've always done. I don't even know why! I don't think milk sounds very good though when recovering from nausea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 I've always heard that when getting over the stomach flu, you should drink something like flat 7-up, so that's what we've always done. I don't even know why! I don't think milk sounds very good though when recovering from nausea. Yeah, it doesn't sound good to me either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Both are old wives tales actually. Mucus is phlegm, which is produced by the respiratory system. Ingesting dairy products cannot make your respiratory system make more phlegm. It can however, make the mucus you already have feel thicker, so maybe that's where the tale comes from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DianeW88 Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Both are old wives tales actually. Mucus is phlegm, which is produced by the respiratory system. Ingesting dairy products cannot make your respiratory system make more phlegm. It can however, make the mucus you already have feel thicker, so maybe that's where the tale comes from. :iagree:They are both nonsense. However, many people do not feel like drinking milk when they have the stomach flu, so if that's you....go with it. Otherwise....eat and drink whatever you can tolerate. Do stay hydrated though...that's the most important thing. And often, when a child (or grown-up) can't seem to keep anything down...licking a popsicle or sucking on a lollipop will not cause vomiting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristusG Posted November 10, 2011 Author Share Posted November 10, 2011 Thanks everyone! I think I'll go dip me some ice cream! :D I don't have the stomach flu...just whatever else the kids gave me. We all have fevers, coughs, and congestion. Fun, fun. I'm praying our new little 2 week old does not get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest submarines Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Old wives' tale. But ITA...dairy is a mucus-causing food. Any illness that includes congestion should mean no dairy...fever or not. DH grew up with the grandmother who treated every illness with boiled milk and honey. When I take care of the sick kids, I avoid milk, DH's starts boiling milk at the first sign of a cold :D. We haven't noticed any major differences in how the kids' colds proceed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 I've found dairy to increase mucus production when I'm sick (something that does NOT need any help) - I stay away from it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 When they are barfing, I won't allow milk--it is super yucky the second time around. I do let them have a bowl and all the ginger ale I can force down them. Otherwise- when they are sick, they get whatever "sounds" good to their tummys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 My df actually did her dissertation on dairy and mucus production--which always struck me as odd because she's a music major! lol Research shows it doesn't cause more mucus production. And yes, stomach acid curdles milk--that's why it's practically impossible (or extremely difficult for the average person) to drink a gallon of milk at a time. The average stomach can't hold that much food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Old wives tale for both curdling and increasing mucus production. If it were to cause either of those when one is sick it would cause either of those when one is not sick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 I withhold the chocolate milk for the very same reason! I am NOT taking chances with any kind of puke :) :iagree: And we all know milk puke is the absolute worst!:ack2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plain jane Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 And yes, stomach acid curdles milk--that's why it's practically impossible (or extremely difficult for the average person) to drink a gallon of milk at a time. Eeewwwwww. :ack2: Why would anyone want to do that? :confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfunnybunch Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 I expect enough kids who were feverish wanted something soothing and had milk or ice cream, then barfed afterward....because of whatever was bringing on the fever, not because of the dairy. Enough that moms confused the cause of the puking and started saying, "Don't drink that if you're feverish." Either that or they needed to convince the kids not to drink milk because cleaning up curdled dairy is g-r-o-s-s. Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewingmama Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 I think the reason why people say to stay away from milk when you have a stomach bug is not because of the vomiting but because of the "other end issues".. Stomach bugs can unbalance your intestinal flora which may render some people lactose intolerant for the duration of the illness meaning drinking milk will make it take longer for "poop issues" to clear up. Whenever my kids get a stomach bug (especially the babies) the doctor always tells me to switch to soy for a while so as not to aggravate the "poop". I've never heard of it for a fever -if that's the only fluid your kid will drink then give it :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 I've never followed that rule and never had a problem.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetMissMagnolia Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 have had it happen to me and to kiddo when he was a baby (and on formula).....have heard it about the curdling issue and both the mucus production too....so I believe this old wive's tale :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyJoy Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 My df actually did her dissertation on dairy and mucus production--which always struck me as odd because she's a music major! lolResearch shows it doesn't cause more mucus production. I presume she chose this topic because it would be related to singing? My school's music director was obsessed with wearing scarves (in 70 degree weather:tongue_smilie:) and not drinking milk or cold water to protect his vocal chords. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silliness7 Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 I have never heard that one before. I don't monitor dairy consumption when we're sick. I've not noticed increased tummy problems. Maybe we just have strong stomachs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 Could be an old wives take, but my yarking up dairy when I'm sick leads me to believe there's some truth to it. No yark is worse than dairy yark. :ack2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liza Lee Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 I think the reason why people say to stay away from milk when you have a stomach bug is not because of the vomiting but because of the "other end issues".. Stomach bugs can unbalance your intestinal flora which may render some people lactose intolerant for the duration of the illness meaning drinking milk will make it take longer for "poop issues" to clear up. Whenever my kids get a stomach bug (especially the babies) the doctor always tells me to switch to soy for a while so as not to aggravate the "poop". I've never heard of it for a fever -if that's the only fluid your kid will drink then give it :D :iagree: I withhold dairy during a tummy bug because it's really nasty when it comes back up and because it doesn't digest well when the intestinal flora is out of whack. I always insist on a bite or two of yogurt as our first dairy after the we recover from a tummy bug. It helps to normalize the digestive tract. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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