Diets for Glandular Fever

Glandular fever, also commonly known as "mono" or mononucleosis--the kissing disease--is a fairly common viral infection triggered by the Epstein-Barr virus. Although glandular fever normally resolves of its own accord in two to four weeks without intervention, adherence to a special diet during this period can help insulate your body against the possibility of complications while providing you with the best possible chance for a swift recovery.

Identification

• Glandular fever is normally preceded with one to two weeks of flu-like symptoms before manifesting fully. Symptoms include sweating, headaches, a sore throat, muscle aches, and fever. Although kissing is the most widely known way in which the virus spreads, it can also be passed from person to person through the air. While most cases of glandular fever clear up without complications, some cases develop into pneumonia, rupturing of the spleen, meningitis or anemia.

Dietary Goal

• While there is no specific diet designed to combat glandular fever, the best dietary goal for dealing with this malady quickly and efficiently is to provide the body with a well-rounded, balanced diet with plenty of nutrient dense foods to enable the immune system to operate at maximum capacity. Generally speaking, a diet consisting of four to five small meals per day can help ensure that nutritional needs are met even while in the throngs of illness.

Glandular Fever Diet

• While sick with glandular fever you should be consuming a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. If your sore throat makes it difficult to consume solid foods, consider basing your nutritional intake around soups or smoothies until the symptoms abate. Blending together a scoop of protein powder with frozen berries, condensed milk, and natural peanut butter can produce a quick high calorie shake that will provide your body with sufficient nutrients to fight the infection.

  Supplement your diet with a quality multi-vitamin to ensure that all of your nutritional bases are being met. Furthermore, taking in additional amounts of both zinc and vitamin C can help bolster the immune system further.

Foods to Avoid

• According to the experts at Yahoo Health and Lifestyle, you should avoid placing undue strain on the digestive tract while laid up with glandular fever. To that end, avoid foods that are difficult to digest such as excessively fatty or fried foods. Generally speaking, anything that feels "heavy" in your stomach should be avoided while ill with glandular fever. Additionally, avoid all overly processed foods, as overly processed foods are often devoid of nutritional quality when compared to natural alternatives.

Considerations

• To control pain, take paracetamol in lieu of aspirin, as aspirin occasionally combines with the Epstein-Barr virus to produce a condition known as Reye's syndrome.