2. People who are somewhere close to malnourishment
are easily vulnerable to tuberculosis due to
decreased resistance and also stand the risk of
getting infection or relapsed tuberculosis despite
treatment.
A healthy diet can help pace up the process of
recovery and have a long term impact:
3. • It is advisable to increase intake of vitamin B
through leafy, dark greens like kale and spinach.
• Also, plenty of whole grain cereals through bread,
etc. Are to be taken.
• Also it is difficult for the body at this stage to digest
saturated fats.
• Therefore unsaturated fats like olive oil is
recommended.
• Hink of buying a fruit based with fruits of all colors.
• Include bright colored ones like tomatoes, cherries
and blueberries.
4. • Healthy diet does not stop just with what to
include, It also speaks about what not to include
these are:
• Refined products like sugar, white bread, white rice,
ect.
• Skip tobacco
• Refrain from alcohol
• Caffeine is to be kept in controlled limits.
5. Food items to limit
• Greasy Foods : Greasy foods, such as fried beef and
chicken, bacon, french fries and onion rings,
contribute hefty amounts of saturated fat -- fats
associated with high cholesterol and increased risk
for diabetes and heart disease.
• Trans-Fatty Acids : Trans-fatty acids, or trans fats,
are fats created through a process in which
hydrogen is added to vegetable oil. To avoid these
unhealthy fats, avoid margarine; shortening;
commercially prepared cookies, cakes, pastries and
crackers; and all foods that list partially
hydrogenated vegetable oil as an ingredient.
6. • Refined Carbohydrates : Common sources of
refined carbohydrates include enriched breads,
cereals, pasta and baked goods; instant rice; and
foods and beverages rich in added sugars, such as
regular soft drinks, candy, sorbet, frosting, pancake
syrup, jam and jelly.
• Caffeine and Alcohol : Excessive caffeine or alcohol
consumption may also have a diuretic, or fluid-
flushing, effect and prevent you from consuming
healthier beverages, such as water, low-fat milk or
pure juices.
7. Dos and donts
• Do's & Dont's
• Eat protein-rich foods: A diet rich in protein can
contribute to strengthening your immune system. So
load up on eggs. If you are a vegetarian, loading up
on jowar, bajra and nachni can provide you with the
necessary protein.
• Get enough micronutrients: Micronutrients like
vitamins A, E and D3 are particularly important for a
healthy immune system. Seafood is rich source of
vitamin D.
8. • Load up on antioxidant-rich foods: Vitamins A, C
and E are antioxidants that destroy harmful oxygen
molecules called free radicals and protect the body.
Eat lots of antioxidant-rich foods.
• It is also best to avoid refined carbohydrates such
as flour and sugar as they provide empty calories
devoid of nutrients. Enriched bread, cereals and
pasta are common sources of refined
carbohydrates.
9. • Fried foods contain hefty amounts of saturated fats
that exacerbate symptoms associated with
tuberculosis such as diarrhoea and abdominal
cramping and fatigue.
• Eliminate trans fatty acids from your diet to reduce
the symptoms of the disease. So avoid margarine,
commercially prepared cakes, pastries and cookies
and every food that lists partially hydrogenated
vegetable as an ingredient.
10. Food items you can easily
comsume
• Calorie dense foods : Calorie dense foods include
banana, cereal porridge or kheer, rava or sooji
kesaribhath or a halwa, peanut chikki, rava laddoo,
wheat and ragi sprouted malt porridge or drink,
khichdi and so on.
• Protein rich foods : Increased protein needs are
met by including groundnut, gingelly chikki or
laddoo, or dry fruit and nut mixes. Eggs, paneer
,tofu, soya chunks are other protein rich foods that
are easily absorbed as well.
11. • Vitamin A, E, C : Some of the best foods for TB patients
include the yellow orange fruits and vegetables such as
orange, mango, papaya, sweet pumpkin, carrots which
are rich in Vitamin A, while Vitamin C is obtained from
fresh fruits including guava, amla, orange, tomato,
sweet lime, lemon, capsicum. Vitamin E is usually found
in wheat germ, nuts, seeds and vegetable oils.
• B complex vitamins: Most B complex vitamins are
found in whole grain cereals and pulses, nuts and
seeds. For non-vegetarians, B complex can be obtained
from eggs, fish, especially sea fish like salmon, tuna,
mackerel, sardines, chicken and lean cuts of meat.
12. • Selenium and zinc: Mushrooms and most nuts and
seeds including sunflower seeds, chia seeds,
pumpkin seeds, sesame, flax are also good sources
of both selenium and zinc. Non vegetarian options
include oysters, fish and chicken.
