Optimal Nutrition For People With TB
While no special diet is required for patients currently on TB treatment, a balanced diet can help to strengthen your body and aid recovery. Good nutrition helps to build a strong immune system, which helps the body fight off disease.
One of the symptoms of active TB is a decreased appetite, leading to weight loss and malnutrition. Malnutrition can weaken the immune system, making patients more susceptible to complications and infections related to the disease. A number of medical studies have been conducted to show significant links between TB treatment and good nutrition.
As you begin your treatment you may experience side-effects from the medication like nausea and/or vomiting and appetite loss – making it even more difficult to eat. TB can also adversely affect how your body utilises nutrients.
Your daily energy requirements need to increase because your body uses more energy to fight the infection. To prevent weight loss, you’ll need to increase your daily energy intake by 20 to 30%. The food you eat should provide energy and nutrients, so you should avoid high-energy junk foods that are nutrient-poor.
Tips And Guidelines For Good Nutrition
- At first you may struggle with a poor appetite. Try five to six smaller meals through the day – choose healthy food items that you enjoy
- If you are feeling nauseous, try and eat bland foods like toast, crackers or pretzels
- When your appetite improves, aim to eat three healthy meals per day, with healthy snacks between
- Speak to your doctor about an appropriate multivitamin and mineral supplement, to ensure that you get all the nutrients you need
- Antioxidants guard against free radicals. Include antioxidant rich foods like squash, tomatoes, blueberries, carrots and peppers in your diet. Green, leafy vegetables like spinach and kale are a good source of the B-vitamins and iron
- Keep hydrated – drink six to eight glasses of water daily
- Ask your doctor about probiotics – if you are taking antibiotics, probiotics taken daily can help maintain a healthy gut and replace good bacteria
- Get exercise to help increase your appetite and improve mood
- Avoid alcohol, coffee and other caffeinated drinks, high-fat red meats, breads and baked goods made from refined white flour, as well as fatty and sugary foods
- Cut down on your salt intake
- If you smoke, get the appropriate help needed in order to quit
A balanced diet is one that contains a combination of foods from the different food good groups – fruit and vegetables, carbohydrates, proteins, fats and sugars and dairy products.
- Protein: meat – lean cuts, poultry and fish, pulses and nuts
- Carbohydrates: whole grain cereals, vegetable oils, nuts and oil seeds
- Vegetables and fruit: rainbow-coloured variety – aim for five to six portions daily
- Dairy: milk, yoghurt etc. to ensure an adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D
Resources:
Information: www.tbfacts.org
Photo: Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash