Illness Recovery Diet  Nutrition is a factor that is required at all times in all stages of life, because our bodies need at lest 40 nutrients in total for optimal health. Good food is not only to satisfy hunger but food has medicinal qualities that can be used as a remedy for various ailments that acts as a catalyst to fast recovery. Nutrients promote cell growth, prevents infection and heals the body when sick. Types Of Illness Recovery Diets:There are certain kinds of diet that a person recovering from illness may follows:
1. Clear Liquid Diet: A clear liquid diet is one that includes mainly liquids, it is a drinkable diet that includes fruit juices and may contain sugar however one must avoid noodle soups, milk and citrus juices while following a clear liquid diet. A clear liquid diet does not form any residue in the body and at same rime does not form any gas in the system, it is mainly followed during diarrhea and vomiting. In a clear liquid diet the liquid may have colour but must be transparent for example ...Apple juice, grape juice, cranberry juice are okay but without the pulp. Fruit punch is okay but you may want to dilute it with water. Strained lemonade and limeade, Coffee, tea (hot or cold), Cool-Aid, clear sodas, and water,Bouillon, broths, fat free consommé, and strained vegetable broth are all good choices for the clear liquid diet.
 2. Full Liquid Diet: A full liquid diet is that includes any liquids only, however unlike a clear liquid diet it includes calories as well It is often prescribed after surgery, especially any type of stomach of gastrointestinal surgery. If you are prescribed a full liquid diet you can eat food and drink liquids, such as: orange juice and milk, banana in pureed form, custard, ice cream, butter, margarine and cream.
3. Soft Food Diet: A soft food diet is based on semi solid foods, with a soft texture very easy to swallow and digest , especially for those people who have a problem to chew and swallow, or perhaps for people who have had a recent surgery, therefore soft foods do not includes those items that re rich in fiber content and food items from the cabbage family as it causes gas in the stomach,including broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts and Peas. The Kind of food that can be taken for a soft food diet program are Chicken broth, beef broth, gravy, or sauces may be used to moisten and blend meats and vegetables,Fruit juice may be used to blend fruit, Macaroni, pasta, or noodles,Cooked fruits or ripe, soft banana,milk or milk drinks, and milkshakes.
 4. Low Residue Diet: A low residue diet, is one that leaves a minimum residue, in order to reduce the frequency of stools in the body, therefore the diet is low in fiber and is also referred to as a low fiber diet however that is not entirely correct , although both are similar but not exactly the same In most cases a low residue diet is mainly recommended during an inflammatory bowel disease, however may also be rich in fiber. Examples of a low residue diet are enriched refined white bread, buns, bagels, English muffins, arrowroot cookies, tea biscuits, soda crackers, plain Melba, fruit juices except prune juice,apple sauce, apricots, banana (1/2), cantaloupe, canned fruit cocktail,grapes, honeydew melon, peaches, watermelon avoid raw and dried fruits, raisins and berries. well-cooked, tender meat, fish and eggs , The food products that should be avoided are Avoid all nuts and seeds, as well as foods that may contain seeds (such as yogurt, beans and lentils,raw and dried fruits, raisins and berries. There are many factors that can lead to illness although poor nutrition and a low immune system , other factors that affect our heath are worrying or negative thinking , stress and tension that causes many physical problems that include muscle tension, and chronic contraction , which results in migraines,backaches, muscular spasms. It is good to eat healthy on order to recover from an illness however it is even better to eat in a way that prevents illness, for that it is important to eat 5 to six small meals a day rather than 2 or three heavy meals, the small meals should;d include healthy snacks or salads in raw form.
 5. High Residue Diet: A high residue diet is a high fiber diet hence high in roughage, mainly recommended for irritable bowel syndrome, constipation and diverticulosis, however it is important to note that high fiber foods should be taken in with food items that belong to other food groups, that include vegetables and fruits , cereals , milk and cheese.....etc.
6. High Iron Diet: A high Iron diet is specially recommended for anaemia that is very prevalent in women who require at least 15 grams of Iron per day and the need is higher than men as they lose blood in menstruation. The kind of diet that one takes also depends on what form of iron is being taken in, as Heme iron is found in animal food sources and the non heme iron is found in non heme sources. Good examples of a high iron diet are Clams, Pork Liver, Oysters ,Chicken, Liver, Mussels, Beef Liver,Beef, Shrimp, Sardines,Turkey.( Heme iron food products )The vegetable sources are Enriched breakfast cereals, Cooked beans and lentils, Pumpkin seeds,Pumpkin seeds, Blackstrap Molasses, Canned beans, Baked potato with skin, Enriched pasta, Canned asparagus ( Non Heme Products).
 7. A Low Cholesterol Diet: Cholesterol is a waxy substance that looks like fat and is prevalent on all parts of our body and is required by the body to function well, however if cholesterol exceeds the required level it blocks the arteries, which is then called plaque and causes heart disease. The cholesterol level increases in aging people and causes heart disease, gallbladder, fat digestion disorders, liver disease etc....therefore one must reduce the amount of dietary fat, cholesterol, sodium intake and calories. Fiber foods and food items containing complex carbohydrates should be included, the food items that should be taken are grapefruit, cereal, banana, chicken, tomato juice, carrot, whole wheat bread , oatmeal, margarine etc.
Note: An important point to note is that pregnant women should avoid eating liver as it contains vitamin A , and large doses of vitamin S are not good for the growing Foetus. Certain foods and drinks are excellent Iron absorbers such as strawberries, grapefruit potato, green & red peppers.
8. High Protein Diet: A high protein is recommended in the case of tissue healing,liver disease, fever, also recommended for body builders , high protein foods are low in carbohydrates and saturated fats as well, some of the items that dense in protein content are chicken, lean meats and beef, fish (just about every fish is high in protein, anything from tuna fish, to salmon, to shrimp) egg whites etc.
9. Sodium Regulated Diet: A sodium regulated diet id helpful, for those suffering from a heart disease, water retention and kidney disease. The excess of sodium causes heart disease and hypertension including other medical issues. The way that one can adopt a low sodium diet is by eating fresh vegetables and plenty of fruits.  The diet that we generally eat has a direct effect on how we control our bodies and react accordingly, there is a direct relationship between our diet and health as the saying goes .."what we eat is what we are".Therefore as adults we live in a world where it is a survival for the fittest only. Competitive as the world has become, eating healthy directly affects our health and our role in society. Good food promotes not only the quality of physical health but also the quality of our mental health because 1/5th of the food consumed by us is used for the function of the brain. so the right kind of nutrition and in the right proportions help us to live abetter quality of life, helping us to score better in our personal and professional life.. Diabetic Diet  |
