Quick tips for typhoid recovery: Strengthen your immune system and accelerate gut healing
Recovering from Typhoid: A Guide to Nutrition and Hydration
Typhoid, a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella Typhi, can take a toll on your health. While antibiotics play a crucial role in treatment, a well-balanced diet and hydration are essential for a speedy recovery. Here's a simple guide to help you navigate your diet during this period.
Hydration is Key
Staying hydrated is vital during typhoid, as fever and diarrhea can lead to dehydration. Drink plenty of fluids such as water, oral rehydration solutions (ORS), coconut water, and clear soups to replenish lost fluids.
Easy-to-Digest Foods
Opt for soft, easily digestible foods to minimise strain on your digestive system. Foods like boiled rice, moong dal khichdi, steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, soft dal, and yogurt with live cultures can soothe your stomach and provide necessary nutrients.
Small, Frequent Meals
Instead of three large meals, consider eating small, frequent meals to avoid overwhelming digestion and maintain energy levels.
Avoid Irritants
Avoid spicy, greasy, caffeinated, and alcoholic drinks as they can irritate your stomach and worsen dehydration.
Probiotics and Omega-3 Foods
Include probiotic sources and omega-3-rich foods in your diet to promote gut health and reduce inflammation. Foods like yogurt, fatty fish, and walnuts can be beneficial.
Hydrating Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits like bananas, apples, papaya, melon, and citrus fruits, as well as vegetables, supply vitamins, electrolytes, and help maintain hydration.
Nutrient-Dense Meals
As your fever fades, focus on nutrient-dense meals to help rebuild muscle and tissue. Protein-rich foods like A2 milk curd, sattu, well-cooked pulses and legumes in khichdi, eggs, organic fish, or chicken can be beneficial.
Infused Waters
Plain water can sometimes make one feel nauseated during typhoid. To add flavour and aid in healing, infuse water with lemon slices, cucumber-mint, or fennel.
Sleep and Rest
Sleep is crucial during typhoid, as it allows your immune system to focus on battling the bacteria without distractions. Rest and sleep are like superchargers for the body when fighting typhoid.
Follow Medical Advice
Always follow medical advice and complete the full course of prescribed antibiotics to prevent relapse.
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Typhoid. https://www.cdc.gov/typhoid-fever/symptoms/index.html [2] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Typhoid fever. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/typhoid-fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20372971 [3] World Health Organization. (2021). Typhoid fever. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/typhoid-fever [4] National Health Service. (2021). Typhoid. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/typhoid-fever/ [5] Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Typhoid Fever. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16688-typhoid-fever
- Maintaining proper hydration is essential for recovering from Typhoid, as consuming fluids like water, oral rehydration solutions (ORS), coconut water, and clear soups can replenish lost fluids due to fever and diarrhea.
- To promote gut health and reduce inflammation during recovery, include probiotic sources and omega-3-rich foods such as yogurt, fatty fish, and walnuts in your diet.
- After the fever has faded, focus on nutrient-dense meals to help rebuild muscle and tissue, such as A2 milk curd, sattu, well-cooked pulses and legumes in khichdi, eggs, organic fish, or chicken.
