FEVER-Diet Guidelines

                         Fever is an elevation of temperature above normal range, outcome of an imbalance between the heat produced in the body and the heat eliminated from the body. The normal human body temperature is 37 degree centigrade (98.6-degree Fahrenheit). It is lowest in the morning and rises in the evening. A person can develop fever due to varied causes like infection (viral, bacterial or fungal), infestation, immune mediated, malignancy, drugs etc.

                

    There are a number of diet guidelines that should be followed when affected by fever. Following a proper diet not only help you treat the condition but also strengthen the body. Therefore there are certain things that you need to keep in mind when it comes to your diet.

The Dietary recommendation:

1).Fluids:

The diet should be more of fluid and at frequent intervals during the first two to three days of fever. The fluid intake must be liberal to compensate for the losses from the sweat and to permit adequate volume of urine for excreting the wastes. Milk, glucose water, soups, fruit juices and water can be included to meet this demand.

2).Calories and Fats:

The calorie requirement may be increased as much as 50% if the temperature is high. It may be difficult to meet the calorie needs during the peak of the fever but a high calorie diet with frequent feeding should be given as soon as fever is controlled. The carbohydrate should consist of glucose, sucrose, and starch. 
Glucose, which is less sweet and readily absorbed into the blood stream, is preferred. For starch, cereal and cereal grains cooked into gruel and pudding to be given to the patients. Fats in the form of butter, ghee, vegetable oil, and fried food should be avoided during fever.

3).Proteins:

Protein intake is also increased to 50% in excess of the daily requirement due to the increased loss of tissue proteins during fever. The protein should be of high nutritive value and easily digestive such as milk, egg, and moong dhal. High protein beverages are preferred to the regular meals.

4)Vitamins and minerals:

Fever increases the requirement for vitamin A, ascorbic acid, calcium, phosphorous, sodium and B complex vitamins.

Foods rich in Vitamin E and Vitamin C should be consumed.

Nuts and seeds are great vitamin E sources. It is important to regularly have some nuts and seeds like almonds and hazel nuts. Peanuts and pistachio nuts are also good vitamin E sources. Having peanuts and pistachio nuts regularly increases the vitamin E content of the body. Vitamin E can also be readily obtained from oils made from seeds. Use sunflower oil in your food and you can provide a good amount of vitamin E to the body. Green leafy vegetables are great vitamin E food sources

Another common source of vitamin E is the tomato. Having raw tomatoes along with your food will certainly help you gain vitamin E in your body. 

Liberal intake of milk, fruits, fruit juices and two or three eggs will take care of the above requirement.

                              As soon as the temperature comes down readily digestible bland food should be given to the patient for better digestion and rapid absorption depending on the patient's need of the food can be soft or normal consistency. Initially the interval of feeding should be 2 hours. Later on improvement it can be made into 4 hours interval or 4 meals a day.

                      Children are more susceptible to the ill effects of fever than adults. Feverish children should be nursed in a cool room, wear light clothing and has plenty of fresh air. The principles of the dietetic treatment of adults are even more important for paediatric age group since they are particularly susceptible to dehydration and protein malnutrition.

Foods that should be included

Fruit juices	Glucose water	Milk	Coconut water
Barley water	Custards	Thin dhals	Eggs
Gruel's	Vegetable juices	Soups,Cereal preparations	Tender meat, baked fish

Foods that should be avoided

Butter	Ghee	Vegetable oil	Irritating fibrous foods
Fried foods	Rich pastries	Rich puddings	Highly spiced preparations
Strongly flavored beverages	Cream soups

Healthy Diet during Fever for Adults

Though the condition may be common in both adults and children, the kind of diet will differ to a certain extent. A healthy diet during fever for adults would include the most of what is said above; however certain additions include:

·         Eggs can be consumed. The eggs could be raw, boiled or fried.

·         Over the counter medication is also recommended; however it should be taken after consultation with your doctor.

·         Ginger or garlic can be added to the broth.

Recipe for Fever Patient

1. Add a slice of ginger to your tea or some broth. This will help fight the bacterial infection in the body.
2. Make a concoction of a tea-spoon of cumin seeds and 4-6 leaves of holy basil and add it to a glass of water. Let the water boil for a while and then consume a teaspoon of this mixture twice daily.

Foods to Avoid During Fever

There are various foods to avoid when affected by fever.

·         Do not consume red meat, as it is difficult to digest.

·         Junk foods should be strictly avoided.

·         You should also stay away from oily and high cholesterol foods

·         Avoid cold foods like ice-creams.

·         Carbonated drinks are a no-no.

·         Alcohol and smoking should be completely avoided.

·         At any point if the fever continues for over a week or the body temperature rises over 1000C you should consult your doctor immediately.