Diet For HIV Patients – What To Know

A healthy and nutritious diet for HIV patients can change your lifestyle and make you feel better in the long run. Here’s how.

HIV patients should revamp their lives to ensure they can avoid severe repercussions. Thankfully, there are numerous ways to change your lifestyle and combat the condition.

Enhancing your diet will make a huge difference in the long run. Ensuring your body has appropriate nutrients by sticking to a healthy diet will prove to be very beneficial.

Within this guide, you will learn more about the link between HIV and a healthy diet.

The Importance Of A Healthy Diet For HIV Patients

Once you’ve been diagnosed with HIV, you need to pay close attention to your diet. Your body is going to experience numerous changes due to the HIV and medications you’re using.

Unfortunately, you might experience repercussions such as weight loss, diarrhea, and infections. You also have to worry about developing fat distribution syndrome or lipodystrophy.

Changing your diet will prove to be very helpful because it can improve your health and make you feel better.

It is often a good idea to work with a registered dietitian so you’ll know what you can and cannot eat.

The Links Between The Two

After an HIV diagnosis, you’ll find that following a good diet will make a big difference. Once you’ve revamped your diet, you’re going to feel much better about it.

Since your body will have the necessary nutrients, your quality of life will improve significantly. In addition to this, the nutrients will empower your immune system so you can stave off disease.

You’ll also find that a good diet is going to help you better control your HIV complications and symptoms.

Another thing to note is that a good diet will help minimize the side effects of the medications you’re taking.

Suffice to say, sticking with a healthy diet is a good idea.

Fundamentals

Following the basic fundamentals will provide numerous benefits. Even if you’re not HIV positive, a healthy diet will make a big difference. If you’re HIV positive, you need to focus on enhancing your diet.

For instance, you should try to cut down on the amount of sugar you’re consuming each day. You can achieve this goal by reducing the sodas you drink. You’ll also want to stop consuming sweets and foods with excess sugar.

You also have to get enough protein. Be sure to focus on getting low-fat, lean protein.

Fruits and vegetables should be added to your diet. Start consuming more vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and fruits.

Finally, you need to fuel your body with proteins, carbs, and good fats. A proper diet for HIV patients will change your life and make you healthier in the long run.

What You’ll Need

When you’ve found out that you have HIV, you need to start consuming your prescribed medications. These medications are available at Kangaroo.co.

You’ll also want to change your diet so you can remain healthy. Focus on getting enough protein and calories.

In many cases, patients with HIV will have to increase the number of calories they consume each day, as follows:

• If you’re trying to maintain your current weight, you’ll likely need to consume more calories. On average, you should consume 17 more calories per pound of bodyweight.
• If you’re starting to lose weight, you’ll need to add 25 calories per pound of bodyweight.
• Patients with opportunistic infections should add 20 calories per pound.

You’ll also need to focus on getting enough proteins. Men with HIV should try to consume 100 to 150 grams of protein each day. As for women, their daily intake should be 80 to 100 grams of protein.

Carbs and fats are incredibly important too. So make sure to eat foods packed with healthy fats.

Again, it is a good idea to work with a professional. A dietician can help you develop a diet that will work well for your condition and your current health.

Nutrition And Dealing With Problems

Patients with HIV should change their diets to combat certain problems.

HIV patients regularly experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and unexplained weight loss. Changing your diet can help offset these issues to some degree.

• When you experience nausea, you should try rest between each meal. Don’t lie flat though.
• You’ll also want to stay away from spicy foods.
• If you’ve been experiencing diarrhea, you should consume more fluids and avoid greasy items.

Change your diet to match your current needs. Doing so will make you happier and healthier in the long run.

Hopefully, these tips will help you restructure your diet, change your lifestyle, and combat your condition.