Food that is rich in protein and iron (e.g. meat, eggs and liver) are recommended to help you recover from dengue fever. These help prevent anemia and strengthen the immune system. A body that is well-nourished is better-equipped to combat a dengue infection. Therefore, it is important to eat frequently, rest and drink at least 3L (about 12 cups) of fluid a day.
There are also foods that should be avoided when infected with dengue fever, such as potatoes, pepper and tomato. These foods specifically can increase the risk of bleeding.
See the dengue diet plan below to get an idea of what you can eat for a speedy recovery.
Best foods for dengue fever
Food that is rich in protein and iron are highly recommended for people with dengue. These nutrients are important to prevent anemia and increase platelet production. Platelets are a component of the blood that are essential for clotting, which is generally altered during a dengue infection. Foods that may help against dengue include:
- Lean meats such as chicken, lean red meat and fish;
- Liver;
- Milk and dairy products;
- Eggs;
- Beans, chickpeas, lentils, peas;
- Water, coconut water, natural fruit juices.
In addition, it is also important to consume foods rich in vitamin C such as orange, pineapple and kiwi, as this vitamin can helps with iron absorption in the intestine and strengthens the immune system.
Foods you should avoid
Foods that contain salicylates should be avoided when infected with dengue fever. These types of food act similarly to aspirin: they can make blood thinner and slow clotting. These foods are:
- Plum, cherry, blackberry, apple, melon, nectarine, peach, grape, tangerine, lemon, strawberry, raisin, gooseberry;
- Almond, walnuts;
- Potato, cucumber, tomato, apricot;
- Pepper, garlic, onion, ginger.
In addition to avoiding these foods, some medications are also contraindicated in cases of dengue, such as aspirin.
3-Day dengue diet plan
Here is an example of a dengue meal plan that can help you to recover quickly from dengue fever:
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | 2 pancakes + 2 cheese slices | 1 cup of decaf coffee with milk + 2 scrambled eggs with 3 slices of toast | 1 cup of decaf coffee with milk + 2 slices of bread with butter + 1 slice of papaya |
| Morning snack | 1 natural yogurt + 2 tablespoons of chia seeds + ½ banana | 4 Maria biscuits | 1 baked banana with 1 teaspoon of chia seeds |
| Lunch/Dinner | 90 g of chicken breast + ½ cup of rice + ½ cup of beans + 1 cup of cauliflower and carrot salad + 1 teaspoon of linseed oil | 90 g of cooked fish with pumpkin puree + 1 cup of beets and carrots + 1 teaspoon of linseed oil | 90 g of turkey breast + 1 cup of chickpeas + 1 cup of braised vegetables (with eggplant and carrots) + 1 teaspoon of linseed oil |
| Afternoon snack | 1 ripe pear, peeled | 1 cup of oats with milk | 3 rice crackers with cheese |
