Information
Nutrition
Eating
well plays an important part in staying healthy when
you're HIV positive. Poor nutrition can cause unnecessary
damage to the suppressed immune system. A healthy
diet can prevent secondary infections and improve
a person's well-being. The following are ways that
can help you to prepare nutritional and appropriate
meals:
- Nutritional
drinks - Ensure, Suppligen and porridges and soups
are a great way to add calories to the diet, especially
when the mouth is tender and solid food cannot be
tolerated. Use fruits and vegetables that will not
irate the mouth or upset the stomach. For more affordable
drinks, try these mixes:
-
1 package of dried milk
ripe
bananas, water and sugar to taste (blend together)
- 1
package of dried milk
½ cup Oats, nutmeg and sugar to taste (blend together)
- Simple
high calorie snacks are better than big meals
all at once. Eat four or five small meals each day.
- When
nauseous you must drink liquids. Liquids are
very important in maintaining health in any condition.
Drink fluids through a straw if this makes drinking
easier. Avoid hot and spicy foods
- When
having diarrhea avoid dairy and fatty foods.
Eat fruits and vegetables. To help ease the diarrhea
have your drinks before or after the meal, not with
it.
- To
add calories to your diet, add protein. Protein
is very important to keep fit and to prevent weight
loss.
- Sources
of protein that can be added to your diet:
| Fish |
Tofu |
Canned
mackerel |
| Chicken |
Cheese |
Milk |
| Peas
and beans |
Lean
Pork |
Eggs |
| Nuts |
- To
prepare high energy meals add:
-
Milk (e.g. Irish potato, porridge)
- Sugar
(e.g. porridge, fruit juices
- Oil/Butter/Margarine
(e.g. porridge, soups, Irish potatoes, rice etc.)
- Peanut
butter
- Gravy
(e.g. extra on rice, potatoes etc.)
Supplementation
Supplementation
is necessary because of the deficiency of nutrients
(e.g. protein, some vitamins and minerals) This is
observed in both symptomatic and asymptomatic(no symptoms)
patients.
Supplementation can be done by:
-
Giving food supplements
-
Medical nutritionals used according to needs:- Pedia-sure,
Advera
-
Vitamin/Mineral supplements e.g. Centrum, Feroglobin
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