Indian Diet Plan For TB Patients (Tuberculosis Causes, Symptoms, Diet chart )

There is almost one Indian dying from the dreadful and tough disease tuberculosis every 5 minutes. It is caused by bacteria that mainly affect the lungs but it can be prevented by the consumption of the right healthy foods. A good diet forms a protective shield and strengthens the immune system to get rid of tuberculosis complications. Read on to understand about Indian diet plan for TB patients (Tuberculosis causes, symptoms, diet chart ).

One of the most common signs or indicators of this disease is malnutrition. Diet rich in nutrient-dense foods can be considered to be the best to treat tuberculosis. Deficiency of proteins can hamper the ability of the body to combat the infection. An active tuberculosis patient has to depend upon antibiotics but diet is a major contributor to management and recovery of tuberculosis.

Causes of Tuberculosis:

Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This bacteria can spread from person to person through the air, when someone with active tuberculosis coughs, spits or sneezes.

Tuberculosis is contagious. However, most people with active TB who take appropriate drug treatment for at least two weeks are no longer contagious.

Symptoms Of Tuberculosis:

TB can either be Latent (Inactive) or Active.  Signs and symptoms of active TB include:

• Fatigue.
• Fever.
• Chills.
• Loss of appetite.
• Weight loss owing to malnutrition.
• Coughing that lasts three or more weeks.
• Coughing up blood.
• Chest pain, or pain with breathing or coughing.
• Night sweats.

Tuberculosis can sometimes affect other organs of your body. This includes kidneys, spine, or brain.  In such a case, symptoms vary according to the organs involved.

Indian Diet Plan For TB Patients:

Tuberculosis is closely associated with malnutrition. Improving the food intake and food choices will help in faster recovery. Before we see the Indian diet plan for TB patients, let us see the Some of the ideal foods that can help in faster recovery from tuberculosis are-

Foods to eat in Tuberculosis:

• Protein-rich foods:

The main food group that is responsible for bolstering the immune system are proteins. Protein-rich foods are essential to overcome tuberculosis. These foods include

• Soy
• Eggs
• Tofu
• Lean meat
• Dairy
• Dry fruits
• Groundnut ladoo
• Nut mixes.

If you suffer from a poor appetite then these foods can be used in the powdered form and can be had by adding this powder in your rotis or milkshake. These foods can provide stamina that is required in order to perform the daily activities in the course of the treatment.

• Calorie Dense Foods:

In order to meet the high metabolic demands during the course of this disease, calorie-dense foods are as follows :

• Cereal porridge,
• Rava ladoo,
• Banana,
• Ragi porridge, or drink,
• Peanut chikki,
• Rava halwa or
• khichdi can be included in your diet.

• Zinc and selenium:

Some of the excellent sources of these two important minerals are nuts and seeds and mushrooms. Nuts and seeds like chia seeds, flax and sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds. The antioxidants found in these nuts can fight against the free radicals. The proteins contained in them besides the important minerals and vitamins can facilitate tissue repair in tuberculosis patients.

• B-complex vitamins:

These water-soluble vitamins contained in whole grain pulses and cereals, seeds, nuts, eggs, sea fishes, lean meat, and chicken should be included in the diet plan of tuberculosis. These foods can improve the nutritional status and help in fast recovery. Whole grains can give a boost of energy and help in regaining the lost weight.

• Vitamins C, A, and E:

Fruits and vegetables containing these vitamins include papaya, orange, guava, mango, tomatoes, capsicum, carrots, and sweet pumpkin. Vitamin E foods like vegetable oils, wheat germ and seeds should be incorporated in the diet. You can introduce vegetables through soups or broths during the initial period before having them in the cooked form. They can overcome the side- effects of the antibiotics taken during the treatment. Vitamin- C rich fruits especially Indian gooseberry can help in the elimination of harmful toxins from the body.

Read – Delicious sources of antioxidants.  Top 10 easy soup recipes.

Foods to Avoid in Tuberculosis:

Following foods must be avoided in tuberculosis:

• Trans-fatty acids:

Trans- fats are produced by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil. This can cause unhealthy levels of cholesterol and lead to inflammation. Tuberculosis symptoms can be greatly reduced by eliminating trans- fatty acids. In order to avoid this, try avoiding Dalda, margarine, cookies, pastries, cakes, and foods that contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. These foods can be replaced by fresh foods like vegetables and fruits. Read – How to reduce triglycerides.

• Alcohol and caffeine:

Excessive consumption of alcohol or caffeine can create disturbance in your sleep pattern since both are diuretics and they can slow down the process of healing from tuberculosis. In place of this, you can have a healthy beverage like green tea that is free from caffeine. It is a storehouse of powerful antioxidants that can enhance your health. Other beverages like pure juices and low- fat milk can also be had which do not contain caffeine.

• Refined carbohydrates:

Refined carbohydrates like sugar and flour do not provide any healthy calories and are devoid of nutrients. Some of the well- known sources include pasta, bread, instant rice, sugar-loaded beverages, pancake syrup, cereals, and soft drinks. These foods can increase the symptoms of tuberculosis. A good replacement for these foods would be fiber-rich foods like starchy vegetables and whole grains. Read –  sources of complex carbohydrates

• Greasy foods

Greasy foods like fried chicken, French fries, onion rings, fried beef, and bacon can contribute to a high amount of saturated fats. This can lead to an increased risk of heart disease, high cholesterol, and diabetes. They can elevate tuberculosis symptoms such as fatigue, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea. Instead of consuming these foods, you can choose to have steamed, boiled, and baked foods that do not use butter, creamy sauces, and high- fat cheese.

Indian Diet Plan for TB Patients :

Here is a sample Indian diet plan for TB patients. This diet plan is based on the list  of foods to eat and avoid in tuberculosis mentioned above:

EndNote:

Malnutrition and poor appetite are the two main reasons that can increase the risk of infection. There are no special foods or a specific diet plan required as such for tuberculosis patients. Intake of a nutritious and well- balanced diet in addition to proper rest and a positive outlook towards life is all that is required to recover from this disease. Dont forget to subscribe o our Youtube channel. Subscribe now!