A healthy, well-balanced diet is important for individuals of all ages, activity levels and health conditions. A healthy diet is especially important for individuals with AIDS and those who are HIV positive. Weight loss and muscle atrophy are commonly associated with AIDS or with any suppressed immune system. Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet can help individuals with AIDS lead a more normal life and have a better quality of life.
Effects of AIDS on Nutrition
Individuals with AIDS often do not eat enough or lose a lot of weight. This is because AIDS and the medications used to control AIDS can often prevent your body from absorbing food or may cause a decrease in appetite. Vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and mouth sores associated with AIDS can also make eating difficult. Medications taken for AIDS can also prevent vitamins and nutrients from passing through the bloodstream to your organs and tissues.
Caloric Intake
With AIDS, you need to keep close track of the number of calories you are consuming on a daily basis. While healthy individuals should stay on a 2,000-calorie per day diet, individuals with AIDS should consume a higher number of calories. Tufts University School of Medicine indicates AIDS patients need to consume between 17 and 20 calories per pound of body weight. If weight loss becomes drastic, calories should increase to 25 calories per pound of body weight, and patients should consult their physician.
Diet
A well-balanced diet can help fight infections, repair damage and prevent AIDS patients from constantly feeling fatigued. A well-balanced diet should include at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Fruits and vegetables offer a wide variety of vitamins and minerals to help promote proper functioning of the body. AIDS patients should also consume lean meats and other protein-packed foods to help promote muscle growth and repair as well as repair other damaged tissues of the body. AIDS patients should also consume plenty of complex carbohydrates. Carbohydrates provide the body with energy and help to fight fatigue without causing excessive weight gain.
Snacks
Maintaining a constant weight is important for individuals with AIDS. If a person is very ill or if a poor appetite is a frequent occurrence, eating multiple (five to six) small meals or snacks each day can help with weight gain or maintenance. Snacks can include peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, nuts, fruits, carrots, celery sticks, chips and yogurt. Three meals per day should also be eaten.
Foods for Weight Gain
Eating larger portions of food as well as more frequent meals can help increase your weight. You can also opt to add honey, sugar, jams or syrups to meals to increase your caloric intake as well as improve the taste of food. Opt to eat foods with more fat in them -- opt for fatty meats, groundnuts, soy and sesame products. Add dairy products to your diet as well. Milk, cheese and yogurt can help with weight gain. Try to make foods as attractive as possible and prepare meals that you truly enjoy to make them more appealing.
References
- FAO.org: Special Eating Needs for People Living with HIV/AIDS
- Association of Nutritional Service Agencies; Nutrition Guidelines for Agencies Providing Food to People Living With HIV Disease; September 2002
- Tufts University School of Medicine; Building a High Quality Diet ; Margo Woods, Emily Potts and Joan Connors; November 4, 2010
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