RECOVER FAST AFTER ILLNESS

Most ailments that plague people from time to time tend to have debilitating effects on the body. They weaken the body system and its defenses thereby reducing its ability to function properly. This results in weakness and general fatigue of the body.

Getting the body back to form again takes more than just medication. A good nutritious diet, combined with the right treatments will aid recovery and get the patient back on his feet in no time.

What you eat while recuperating from an illness may depend on the nature of the ailment. For those who have undergone surgical procedures such as appendectomy, doctors usually recommend a special diet, which is fluid-based. For other convalescents recovering from illnesses such as malaria, emphasis should be on foods that aid recovery and regaining of health and strength. These include foods that contain protein, minerals, vitamins and other essential nutrients that the body needs to recover. Protein is especially recommended for the invalid as it is essential for the growth, maintenance and repair of body tissues, and is also a good source of energy.

Unless advised otherwise by the doctor, the invalid should take lots of fluids to replace body fluids lost during illness and to prevent dehydration. Fluids could be in the form of water or fruit and vegetable juices. Fruits are especially important as they contain essential vitamins and minerals, as well as fibre, which help in the indigestion and constipation problems that plague most invalids.

The ideal diet for the invalid should be fluid-based, semi-solid and soft foods that are nutritious and easily digestible. Light foods such as soups, porridge dishes, pudding, light salads and fruit juices should be taken at first. Later, as the invalid begins to get better, other easy-to eat, nourishing foods like eggs, fish and ground meat, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables should be reintroduced into his diet.