Eating healthy when you're sick

Healthy eating when you are ill is a challenge - especially if you have a chronic illness such as cancer, arthritis and even depression. Diseases and their treatment may not satisfy your appetite or sick leave SAP. Cancer fatigue can leave you exhausted to cook. Arthritis can be very difficult to go and buy food.

It is certainly a good diet to grow, when to treat disease. But it is also dangerous. Everyone should get enough vitamins and nutrients. And who is more than ever, when they are sick.

Learning what they need, and make smart choices, you can use your diet without much need for extra effort.

If you are ill, experts agree that eating protein is the key. Proteins are the building and repair of cells is crucial, says Paula Charuhas, RD, nutrition education coordinator of the Alliance Seattle Cancer Care. Protein may help prevent muscle wasting. It also helps improve balance and fluid the ability to heal your body.

Some of the best protein sources are obvious, says Christine Gerbstadt, MD, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. Chicken, pork, lean beef, fish and lamb are all good. Eggs and cheese are also easily digestible forms of animal protein.


Not Good sources of animal protein are beans, soy products like tofu and nuts. Add more peanut butter or almond butter to your diet is simply a way to get more protein.

If you just are not enough protein could be found in foods, your doctor may suggest drinks high protein food. It could also benefit from protein powder to help you find something to eat.

Many of us spend our lives as adults, not counting calories. But for some people who are sick, the word backwards. Instead of trying to reduce caloric intake, they really need the increase.

If you're sick, you may need more calories than normal because your body is working harder. But only if you eat more, your appetite. Unexplained weight loss can be very serious. It can leave you exhausted, weak, and interfere with your treatment.

Prevention of weight loss can make people - and their advisers diet - a strange situation. It's very intuitive, said Rachel Zinaman, MPA, RD, of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Evelyn Lauder Breast Center. But sometimes really recommend, cheese fries and hamburgers and milkshakes, some women with cancer, losing a lot of weight to stop.



Zinaman also stresses that you should never start a diet with high calorie content of your own. Always consult your doctor about whether weight loss is an involuntary risk to you.

Fiber is good for you, both short and long term. It helps you regular and prevent constipation. In the long run may reduce the risk of intestinal problems, diabetes and other diseases.

But if you feel sick, it's easy to forget the fiber. Could be transferred to a diet low in fiber, such as ease of mashed potatoes. If you feel sick, you can choose the whole wheat toast instead. This dietary change - along with reduced fluid intake and less exercise - can cause constipation.

For most people, it is more the fiber is an important element of a healthy diet when you are ill. The best sources are fruits, vegetables and whole grains, says Gerbstadt. If your doctor or dietitian to suggest, might consider a fiber supplement, too.

Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any problems with the fiber. Some people with chronic diseases found that the fiber feel bloated. If you have diarrhea - or because of illness or medications - should reduce your fiber, at least for now. Once under control, you can start over fiber-rich foods, said Sheri Knecht, RD, nutritionist at the South Atlantic Division American Cancer Society.

Vitamins and minerals necessary for health, calcium, potassium and vitamins A, C, D and E are a few of them.

But do not make the mistake to rely on supplements. Experts say that we should eat healthy food when ill, but to focus on the storage of pills and powders.



* Omega-3 fatty acids, which are often used to treat arthritis and other diseases that could, in combination with anticoagulants such as Coumadin dangerous.
* Folic acid - a stable element in multivitamins - may interact with the effectiveness of methotrexate, a medicine against arthritis, cancer and other conditions.

Eating healthy when you are ill: Supplements more ...

Even a one to one label multivitamin may not be safe if you are ill. The boxes have more natural food store has been all these years, he said Zinaman. So many products are now mega-doses and not just the recommended daily dose, he said. Who will make them very dangerous.

Always consult your doctor before taking supplements or other treatments. Your doctor may give you the OK. He or she may also recommend specific supplements, depending on your situation. But while the treatment should never happen with the additions of their own.

Instead, the emphasis on whole grains, fruits and vegetables. By eating a wide variety of these foods you will get natural vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and need. And you do not know if you have always diligently by too much or too little of a nutrient.

Their ability to eat depends on how you feel when you are ill. If your symptoms - such as pain or nausea - the more you will not be able to eat well, no matter how much you want.


A healthy diet should be consistent with good medical treatment. Talk to your doctor about any symptoms that affect your ability to eat. Your doctor may be able to prescribe medicines to control pain, improve your mobility, or reduce nausea.

No matter what you are diagnosed, not only debilitating side effects. See what can help your doctor to do so.