Caused by the bite of an Anopheles mosquito, malaria is in fact a parasitic infection. The mosquito carries the parasite from one infected human to another. These parasites then enter the bloodstream, contaminating the red blood cells.
Symptoms of Malaria
Symptoms of malaria include fever, chills, anemia, headaches, bloody stools, queasiness and vomiting, and in severe cases, coma.
While there is no particular diet for malaria patients, emphasis is laid on supplying appropriate nutrition.
A good diet guarantees that the body is not put under unnecessary pressure. During this time of health problem, the patient’s body is weak and the antibiotics administered for treatment can even more deteriorate the body.
For this reason, malaria diet ought to concentrate on strengthening the patient’s immune system without putting excessive stress on the liver, kidneys, and digestive system as a whole.
Diet Plan
This malaria food helps the patient recover quickly and help boost their appetite.
Stage 1. Once identified with malaria, the patient can be placed on an orange juice diet. This is suggested specifically if the patient has high fever. In most cases, this fever lasts for a week to ten days.
Stage 2. The next stage of the diet plan includes eating just fruit. During this phase, the patient must be provided a healthy serving of fresh fruits. Some of the fruits to include are pineapples, papayas, oranges, grapes, apples, grapefruits, and mangoes.
Remember that the fruit diet must not last for more than 3 days. The patient can be given milk on the third day of the fruit diet as milk contains proteins and fats that are required by the body.
Stage 3. During the convalescing period, the patient can be offered a well-balanced diet including not only fruits but likewise veggies, whole grains, and nuts (besides groundnuts and other oil-rich nuts). Here’s a fundamental prepare for this period:
- In the morning: The patient can be provided a glass of lemon juice, ideally lukewarm. Honey can be added to sweeten the drink.
- For breakfast: A bowl of fresh fruits along with a glass of milk is recommended.
- Lunch: Lunch needs to include steamed veggies and if the patient is hungry, a couple of whole grain tortillas can be provided. Buttermilk is a great drink to wash the food down.
- Mid-day meal: A glass of vegetable or fresh fruit juice.
- For supper: Dinner can include homemade cottage cheese, sprouts and a bowl of salad made with fresh green veggies and some lime juice dressing.
While this is a recommended diet plan for malaria patients, it is best to always consult your doctor before making any extreme dietary changes.
Patients with other hidden conditions like diabetes or existing heart and liver conditions might need unique diets. They should not follow this diet without consulting a doctor!
Foods that have to be prevented when one has malaria include:
Tea, coffee, and other caffeinated drinks. Fine-tuned and processed foods, consisting of white flour, cakes, and pastries. Meat, sauces, pickles, and other dressings must likewise be prevented.
Foods after Malaria
A light diet consisting of vegetables, poultry, fish and may be a little red meat is suggested, as it supplies the necessary protein for the body to repair itself. Include lots of green vegetables, entire grains, rice, and iron-rich foods as they are thought about great for malaria patients.
During recovery, a malaria patient tends to lose his/her appetite, so attention should be provided to offer as much range as possible.
Diet Tips
What food I eat in malaria? If you imply what foods ought to you eat while you are experiencing malaria, then there are no specific diet specs.
Given that lots of people feel sick and ill to their stomach while they are experiencing the disease, it may be hard to get individuals to eat anything– nevertheless, it is very important that the patient takes in a lot of fluids (water, juice, herbal tea) in order to avoid getting dehydrated.
If they have the ability to eat small amounts of food, that will likewise help to keep their strength up. Plain foods such as rice or dry toast might be the most convenient for the individual to absorb, without feeling more upset.
Have a Good Day!
