Lino’s grandmother always said, “feed a fever; starve a cold.” why would it be advisable to increase calories when experiencing a fever? lino’s grandmother is incorrect, you should actually decrease calories with a fever to starve the bacteria causing the fever out of your system. when you have a fever, your oxygen circulation increases – which represents energy loss – and increases one’s need for calories. when you have a fever, your body loses heat – which represents energy loss – and increases one’s need for calories. when you have a fever, your metabolism slows down – which represents energy loss – and increases one’s need for calories.