Dengue Diet: What Foods to Eat and What to Avoid

As the monsoon season approaches, people fear dengue. Dengue is a viral disease spread by aedes mosquitoes and is a significant global health concern. The symptoms of this mosquito-borne disease are not unknown. When bitten by an Aedes mosquito, dengue can manifest as high fever, headache, rashes, and joint and muscle pain that starts showing up in three days. 

Supportive care and preventive measures can play a crucial role in avoiding the spread of dengue, even though there is now no antiviral medication available. A well balanced diet during dengue fever plays a key role in treating dengue in patients. Knowing which dengue food to eat and avoid might help you make healthier decisions that benefit in your recovery. This article focuses on the things to eat in dengue or to avoid, for a speedy recovery.

Food to Eat With Dengue

When a person develops dengue fever, their body is already fighting the disease-causing pathogens. So, they need an extra boost of nutrition through diet, which can strengthen their immunity. Various vitamins and nutrients in their dengue diet chart are essential to ensure optimal recovery. 

Here's a list of dengue fever food to eat:

• Coconut water: When you have dengue, dehydration becomes a common thing in addition to high fever. Consuming coconut water can be immensely beneficial for dengue patients. It is rich in electrolytes and many essential nutrients. 
• Turmeric: Turmeric already has many benefits that men know about. Due to its antiseptic and metabolism-boosting capabilities, doctors may recommend consuming turmeric, especially with milk. Turmeric as a dengue fever treatment food helps in faster recovery.
• Pomegranates: Pomegranates are loaded with many essential vitamins and minerals that are crucial for healing the body and providing energy. Thus, they can not only help reduce fatigue and tiredness, which are common during dengue fever but also help maintain an average platelet count in the blood due to their rich iron content.
• Fenugreek: Fenugreek or methi has been known to be a natural tranquilizer, although mild, inducing sleep. Thus, it aids in alleviating pain. It is also known to be effective for stabilizing high fever associated with dengue. Fenugreek is a must add in the diet plan for dengue patient.
• Orange: Oranges are a rich source of vitamin C and antioxidants, which help to eliminate the dengue virus. You can consume oranges as they are or in juice as well.
• Mix of herbs: Traditionally, the consumption of vegetables and fruits during dengue fever has been recommended for ages. These foods include Tulsi, ashwagandha, aloe vera, and ginger. You can include ginger water in your dengue diet as it can help with nausea. You can also add amla to your diet, which is another fruit abundant in vitamin C. 
• Papaya leaves: Researchers have found that papaya leaves have been helpful in fighting the dengue causing pathogens. Papaya leaves help increase platelet level in the blood which aids in fighting the pathogens. You can consume papaya leaves by crushing them and consuming them in the form of a juice.

What to Avoid in Dengue

Just like there are many foods doctors recommend to be included in the diet during dengue fever, there are also a few foods you should refrain from during this time. Such foods are usually the ones that are less easily digestible and oily or spicy. 

Here is a list of food to avoid during dengue:

• Non-vegetarian: You should refrain from consuming non-vegetarian food during dengue. 
• Oily and fried food: When you have dengue fever, it is best to avoid foods cooked in too much oil, especially deep fried foods. Such foods contain a lot of fat content which may lead to high blood pressure. This can hamper your progress and recovery as well as weakening your immune system. Therefore, you should choose a lighter diet instead.
• Spicy food: When it comes to spicy food, it strictly falls on the list of food to avoid for dengue. Consuming spicy foods can lead to acid accumulation in the stomach, which in turn can lead to ulcers. Spicy foods also come in the way of recovery 
• Caffeinated beverages: While recovering from dengue, your body needs ample hydration. But caffeinated drinks and beverages can lead to fatigue easily, increase the risk of tachycardia, and don't aid in hydration at all. You should increase your hydration levels instead by consuming a lot of water and other fluids, such as juices, that can help you rehydrate during dengue. 

How Nutrition Plays a Vital Role in Managing Dengue Fever?

When you have a high fever along with the other symptoms of dengue, your immunity is already weak and busy fighting the disease-causing pathogens. To aid your immunity and increase your body strength, nutrition plays a crucial role in fighting dengue fever. 

• Supporting the immune system: Essential nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants help the immune system to function properly. A well-equipped immune system is essential to combat the disease causing germs. 
• Maintaining strength and energy: Having dengue fever symptoms can make your body weak and fatigued. Adequate nutrition is essential to provide your body with the energy to recover and fight the infection.
• Preventing malnutrition: Loss of appetite and nausea often accompany dengue fever. This may lead to a decreased food intake. When you're eating a healthy and well-balanced diet, you can battle these challenges along the way and provide appropriate nutrition to your body.
• Increasing platelet level: During dengue, your blood cells are busy fighting the good fight against pathogens. As a result, your platelet count in the blood drops. Consuming a well-balanced diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants will equip your body with the necessary nutrients to boost platelet production. 
• Hydration: You may suffer from dehydration as a result of perspiration due to dengue fever. You can stay hydrated by eating a healthy diet and drinking lots of water.
• Recover & managing complications: Consuming a balanced diet helps your body heal from the infection as best as it can. Nutrient-rich foods support your body's healing and support restoration of normal functioning. This is also essential in preventing complications associated with dengue, such as organ dysfunction and electrolyte imbalance. 

Conclusion 

A well-balanced diet and ample hydration coupled with check-ups by a healthcare professional are essential for recovering from dengue the best way you can. They should seek medical and dietary guidance from healthcare professionals, especially in case of severe or high-risk progression of dengue. Proper nutrition supported by medicine use is vital to recover from dengue smoothly and successfully.