Watch what you eat when unwell

(By Lisa Sarah John, Courtesy Bangalore Times, Nov 12, 2007)

As winter sets in we are becoming more prone to infection and fever. It is important that we be extra cautious about what we eat. It is the timing that matters. If milk or any food is given when the temperature is high, the person may refuse to eat, may vomit what s/he eats or if s/he does eat it, it would cause the fever to worsen.

When the fever is high (first 2 or 3 days), milk should be diluted to 2/3 milk to 1/3 water. Rice ganji with curd or thin dal and mashed vegetables, fruits and fruit juices may be given. Light biscuits can be given as snacks to provide energy. Jam, jelly and custard also help. It is also very important to give a morning and evening dose of B and C vitamin.

A fever raises the metabolic rate of the body and one tends to burn more calories. We see rapid weight loss and this also makes the body very weak and susceptible to further infections. Our aim must be to supply a high calorie diet which is, however, low in fat content. Give small frequent meals of carbohydrate foods. Vegetable soups are good.

It helps to take a B complex supplement. Also when ill, the tongue gets coated and there is no taste in the mouth. Keeping the tongue clean and mouth fresh helps to keep the appetite going.

Use glucose instead of sugar as it is easily absorbed into the bloodstream. Water intake must be increased as a large amount of fluid is lost when sweating occurs as the fever breaks. Water, tender coconut water, fruit juices and soups help.

Stop all exercise and rest as much as possible so that calories may be saved and the body can use them to fight the infection and aid speedy recovery.

 

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