Diet tips to help speed up recovery from dengue

Cases of mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue and malaria are on the rise with the change in weather. If dengue is identified early, following the right diet can help patients recover quickly. Green vegetables, soups and fruits, especially banana and apple, should be taken in larger quantities.

To recover faster from the weakness caused by dengue, herbal tea should be had instead of regular tea or coffee. Ginger or cardamom can be added to it. Herbal tea helps give the body relief.

Dengue patients should drink as much water as possible. Drinking water can be difficult, but it is very important. Mixing ORS powder into water is also beneficial, as it helps prevent dehydration.

Dengue patients should take as many fluids as possible, as this helps flush the virus and toxins out of the body. Lemon is considered a boon for dengue patients. Lemon water should be consumed more during this period, as it helps flush the virus out through urine.

In a dengue viral infection, platelet count in the body starts to fall first. Coconut water should be drunk to help maintain platelet levels.

Dengue patients should include porridge in their diet, as it helps maintain a kind of energy in the body. It can be eaten as porridge upma, porridge pulao or as a sweet porridge known as lapsi.

Protein-rich food should be used more during dengue. This should definitely include eggs. Milk and dairy products should also be taken as part of a protein-rich diet, as this helps dengue heal faster.

One important point is that oily, spicy and very sour food should not be eaten during dengue. Since the sense of taste in the mouth tends to be off during this period, lemon pickle can be eaten instead.