Typhoid is a bacterial infection that spreads through impure water and food. It is caused by a bacteria called Salmonella typhi. You may experience a high fever after getting typhoid. Typhoid fever is accompanied by chills, sweating, headache, body ache, and abdominal pain. You may get typhoid after coming in direct contact with the faeces of an infected individual. Therefore, it is crucial to wash your hands thoroughly after using the washroom.
If you have typhoid, you may experience constipation or diarrhoea and loss of appetite. These symptoms make you weak, and you may experience sudden weight loss. Therefore, taking a proper diet during typhoid is essential to curb this bacterial infection. Typhoid causes gastronomical discomfort; therefore, it is vital to maintain a light and healthy diet. Moreover, you must consume protein and take a high-calorie diet. Drinking plenty of fluids is also essential to recover from typhoid. Let us look into the diet plan for typhoid patients that you can adopt for a speedy recovery.
Diet plan for typhoid fever patient
Every health condition requires a different diet plan. Your typhoid diet plan may look like this:
- Take calorie-rich diet
You are recommended to take a high-calorie diet to provide strength and energy to your weak body. In addition, typhoid causes weight loss, and you must take in more calories to maintain your ideal body weight. For example, you can eat boiled potatoes, white bread, fruit custard, and semolina idli to gain those lost kilograms.
- Make carbohydrates your ally.
You will be suggested to take carbohydrates during recovery from typhoid. Therefore, you must include food items like moong dal, boiled potatoes, boiled eggs, and baked apples in the typhoid diet for recovery. These semi-solid foods can be easily digested during typhoid.
- Be high on fluid intake.
There are various fruit juices that you can include in your typhoid fever food diet. You can increase your fluid intake by consuming coconut water, fresh fruit juices, cucumber, buttermilk, barley water, and lime juice. Moreover, you can include fruits with high water content in your diet. During typhoid, your body gets dehydrated, and hence it is essential to maintain an optimum fluid level.
- Consume dairy products
You can consume dairy products in high quantities during typhoid. If you are milk intolerant, you can include paneer and yoghurt in your diet. Dairy products supplement protein deficiency in your body. Moreover, these are easy to digest and can treat the symptoms of typhoid.
- Indulge in soups
You can never go wrong with soups. These are easy to make and are easily digested. Moreover, it provides nutrition to your body. You can prepare spinach soup, chicken soup, or other soups of your choice and have them during typhoid.
- Eat cooked vegetables
Include cooked vegetables instead of raw veggies in your typhoid diet plan. Cooked veggies like carrots, beans, potatoes, beets, and squash are low in fibre. However, these are easily digested and are highly nutritious for your body.
- Take boiled moong dal.
Lentils have a high protein content, and protein provides speedy recovery from an illness. Boil moong dal in a pressure cooker and have it during lunch. It is highly nutritious and keeps you feeling full for a long time. Moong dal is one of the most vital parts of the diet for typhoid patients.
- Eat bananas
Banana is enriched with good fibres that provide energy to your body. Keeping your body charged is essential to fight typhoid. Therefore, you must include bananas in your typhoid diet plan.
- Have honey
One of the foods that you must add to your typhoid diet is honey. Honey fulfils the need for sugar during typhoid. Moreover, its antibacterial properties work on typhoid-causing bacteria. When you consume honey with hot water, it provides a soothing effect to your intestines.
- Include omega-3 fatty acids in your diet
Include soybean and eggs in your diet for a quick recovery from typhoid. These foods bring down inflammation in the body and hence are recommended during typhoid.
Including extra calories and carbohydrates in your typhoid fever diet can help you in speedy recovery. Eat healthily and try to fulfil the essential requirements of your body for better healing. Make a typhoid recovery diet in consultation with a doctor and follow your diet correctly. For details on typhoid diet, you may contact Ujala Cygnus Central Hospital.
What not to eat during typhoid?
Since we have discussed what diet should be taken in typhoid, it is time to discuss what you should not eat. You can refrain from taking high fibre foods like whole grains, raw fruits and vegetables, nuts, and legumes.
Foods that you must not include in your typhoid fever diet are:
- Raw vegetables: Avoid the raw intake of onions, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, cabbage, and garlic. However, you can cook these vegetables and then add them to your meal.
- Whole grains: Avoid grains like barley, ragi, buckwheat, brown rice, and quinoa. Do not include these grains in your typhoid treatment diet.
- Fruits: Raw berries, dried fruits, pineapple, kiwi, and pears must be avoided during your recovery period.
- Nuts: Dried nuts like almonds, walnuts, macadamia nuts, and pistachios must be avoided.
- Legumes: Try to avoid the consumption of kidney beans, black beans, and chickpeas.
- Spicy foods: Chills, garam masala, black pepper, and other seasonings must be avoided during typhoid.
- Seeds: Flax seeds, pumpkin and chia seeds must not be included in your meals.
- Fatty foods: Potato chips, onion rings, fried chicken, and every other junk food must be avoided. Avoiding fatty foods is the best diet for typhoid.
Other foods that you must not eat during typhoid include:
- Avoid fatty and greasy foods as they are difficult to digest during typhoid.
- Do not include fried foods in your typhoid fever diet.
- Avoid consuming oil, ghee, butter, and sweets.
- Try to avoid food items like cabbage and capsicum that cause gas and bloating of the stomach. If you prepare meals for a typhoid patient, avoid including these food items in the diet for typhoid patients.
- Avoid eating salads and meals made using vinegar, chilli, and hot sauces.
- Do not consume tea, coffee, and chocolates.
- Do not eat fruits and vegetables without peeling their cover.
- Try to avoid foods that contain onion and garlic.
Planning a diet for typhoid patients requires a bit of research. However, you can take help from the experts at Ujala Cygnus Hospital for a detailed typhoid food diet. Contact our experienced dietitians today!
For free teleconsultation with our doctor, call us at 88569-88569 or fill the form to share your problem.