The HIV virus, or human immunodeficiency virus, strikes the immune system and can eventually lead to the disease AIDS. People with HIV should take care to eat a nutritious diet full of healthy foods while avoiding foods that may be damaging to overall health. Healthy eating, along with an overall healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, makes your body stronger and more able to fight off illness and may even slow the progression of HIV, according to FamilyDoctor.org. You should always consult a doctor before embarking on any diet plan since food intake may affect other treatment decisions.
Importance
Good nutrition can boost the immune system, helping your body fight off opportunistic diseases. Keeping your weight up is also a concern for many HIV positive patients and nutrient-dense foods can help. Healthy foods also make it easier for your body to utilize any medication you might be taking. A nutritious diet keeps your body in its best shape, so you don't develop additional health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes.
Wasting and Malnutrition
Wasting, severe unintentional weight loss of five percent or more of your body mass in six months or less, is a major concern for people with HIV. According to Tufts University, someone who is losing weight should consume 25 calories per pound of weight every day. For example, someone who is 150 pounds needs 3,750 calories a day to combat wasting.
Symptom Alleviation
To combat diarrhea caused by an HIV infection, bland foods such as applesauce, clear broth, plain pasta and banana may help. Mild foods eaten at room temperature can alleviate symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and mouth sores. Nibbling on nutritious snacks, such as trail mix or a hard boiled egg, all throughout the day can reduce fatigue caused by HIV.
Concerns
Many AIDS patients develop sores in the mouth that may impact their ability to eat. Diarrhea and nausea can also affect how your body uses the nutrients in food. Poor appetite is another common concern and some medications for HIV may make this problem worse. If you have trouble eating enough nutritious foods, talk to your doctor about ways to solve these problems so that you can get back to a healthy eating plan.
Tips
If you are losing weight, concentrate on consuming high-calorie nutrient-dense foods such as avocados, nuts or shakes made with added powdered milk and protein. Include 8 to 10 glasses of water daily in your healthy eating plan to keep hydrated. If your doctor advises it, take a multivitamin along with a meal every day. Try spreading your food intake into 6 to 8 meals a day instead of 3 or 4 to prevent nausea and vomiting, recommends FamilyDoctor.org.
