The purpose of a glandular diet is to ease the symptoms of glandular fever, or mononucleosis. Glandular fever is an infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. Symptoms of glandular fever include extreme fatigue, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes in the neck, according to Net Doctor.
Features
Lucy Burney, a nutrition consultant and children's health specialist, suggests a diet that consists primarily of fish, fruits, grain, lean meat and vegetables. Lighter foods such as broth, juice, smoothies and soup are easy to eat when you have a sore throat, and they also provide nutrients to aid the body's recovery.
Vitamins
Foods that are rich in antioxidant vitamins such as vitamins A, C and E help strengthen the immune system, according to Burney. Vitamin C helps produce antibodies and interferon to destroy the cells of the Epstein-Barr virus. Foods rich in vitamin C include black currants, citrus fruits, guava, kiwi and peppers.
Apricots, squash, cantaloupe, carrots, mangoes, sweet potatoes and tomatoes are rich in beta carotene, which produces vitamin A in the body, essential for stimulating the production of white blood cells to combat viral infections.
Vitamin E helps maintain the health of most of the body's cells and tissues, thus helping to repair cells damaged by the Epstein-Barr virus, according to Burney. Good sources of Vitamin E include avocados and butternut squash.
Foods to Avoid
Avoid eating foods that are high in fat because glandular fever compromises the liver's ability to break down fat. Do not eat foods that contain excessive amounts of refined flour or sugar while you are sick because they can suppress the immune system. Avoid foods such as beans, nuts and tofu because they contain the amino acid arginine, which can strengthen the Epstein-Barr virus, according to Burney. The amino acid lysine acts as an antibody to arginine and to the Epstein-Barr virus. You can find lysine in foods such as cheese, eggs, fish and poultry.
Hydration
You must drink fluids when you have a viral infection to keep your body hydrated and to prevent the lymphatic system from becoming sluggish, according to Burney. You can drink hot liquids to relieve the pain of a sore throat.
Considerations
A glandular diet can only ease the symptoms of glandular fever, according to Net Doctor. It cannot eliminate the virus from your body. Consult a doctor for medication to treat glandular fever in addition to maintaining a diet to combat the Epstein-Barr virus.
