How to Eat With HIV

Good nutrition aids the immune system in fighting disease and strengthens the body in preparation for those medications that will help you stay healthy. These recommendations follow the guidelines of the American Council of Science and Health.

Things You'll Need

• Healthy Foods

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Instructions

• 1

  Eat a variety of foods that are well-balanced by choosing daily meals and snacks of foods contained in each of the basic food groups.

• 2

  Maintain a healthy body weight by consuming an adequate amount of calories. (See "Calculate Your Total Daily Calorie Needs," under Related eHows.)

• 3

  Choose foods that are low in saturated fat; do not eliminate fats altogether, as they are an important source of cholesterol. Cook with olive, fish, canola and peanut oils.

• 4

  Include plenty of protein, which is found in foods such as poultry, meat, nuts, milk and tofu. Protein helps sustain your body in your fight against HIV.

• 5

  Guard against food poisoning by checking expiration dates, scrupulously rinsing fruits and vegetables, and cooking meat and poultry thoroughly. Refrigerate or freeze promptly.

• 6

  Ask your doctor about food-drug interactions. There are drugs that have effects that you can maximize by taking them with certain foods. Similarly, check to make sure that you don't eat foods while taking certain medications that might have an adverse effect on your body.

• 7

  Work closely with your physician, dietitican and pharmacist; a concerted effort on the part of all these individuals and yourself can ensure that you benefit from both drug therapy and nutrition, at the expense of neither.