Dengue Fever Diet: Best Foods to Increase Platelets & Speed Up Recovery
Time to read 8 min
Time to read 8 min
Table of contents
The dengue virus, which causes dengue fever, is a viral illness transmitted mainly by female mosquito bites (Aedes mosquitoes). As the name implies, the infection causes a high fever, severe headaches, joint and muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and a list of foods to avoid. Dengue is a viral infection that is common in the monsoon season and leads to low platelet count.
Usually, dengue fever resolves with a proper medication, a dengue fever diet plan, and case management; however, severe headache cases may escalate to dengue shock syndrome or dengue hemorrhagic fever that necessitates immediate medical care.
Diet plays a significant role, and recovery from dengue majorly depends on your diet. Proper medication and eating a balanced diet ensure adequate hydration, support immune health, and deliver essential nutrients required to combat the virus. Similarly, certain foods, including spicy and acidic foods, can hinder the recovery and make the symptoms even worse; thus, proper nutrition is the key to recovery from dengue.
This article covers the dengue fever diet, including what foods are good, what foods are good for a healthy platelet count, and what foods should be avoided. So don’t miss out.
As you suffer from dengue fever, your immune system gets activated to combat the dengue virus. A healthy diet that includes fluids and healthy fats strengthens the immune system, heals wounds, and maintains vitality. A carefully thought-out dengue diet can hasten recovery, avoid dehydration, and lessen symptoms.
By providing the body with essential nutrients, some foods increase platelet production and boost energy levels. The most beneficial foods include vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B12, iron, folate, and lean proteins.
A nutrition-rich diet accelerates the recovery process, strengthens the immune system, and allows better management of symptoms.
Dehydration is common during dengue fever due to sweating and fever. It is extremely important to drink a lot of water, such as coconut water, and increase fluid intake to maintain sufficient hydration and allow vital nutrient supply.
Eat light and digestible foods such as rice, porridge, and oatmeal, as these foods soothe your digestive system.
Protein is essential for the repair and regeneration of body tissues. Add boiled eggs, lentils, beans, and lean meat to your diet while avoiding greasy foods fatty to get enough protein.
Vitamins are essential for better healing and recovery during dengue. Various fruits and vegetables, including rich sources of essential vitamins A, C, and E, strengthen the immune system. Eat papaya, vitamin C-rich fruits, and green leafy vegetables for better recovery.
Foods containing omega-3 fatty acids, such as walnuts and energy drinks, help reduce inflammation and worsen symptoms associated with dengue fever and joint pain.
Mosambi juice is packed with vitamin C that supports the immune system and allows the body to fight off infections more efficiently.
The higher water content of mosambi helps patients stay hydrated, as hydration matters the most for dengue patients, as persistent fever and sweating cause dehydration.
Patients who experience diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting lose electrolytes due to illness; they should consume mosambi juice as it helps replenish electrolyte content.
Mosambi juice's vitamin C and other nutrients promote platelet production.
So, is mosambi juice safe for dengue patients? Although it can be incorporated into a dengue patient's diet as a supportive measure, mosambi does not take the place of medical treatment.
You should eat the foods that naturally boost platelet production and aid recovery as part of a diet to eat while suffering from dengue fever. Here’s what you can eat to increase platelet count while suffering from dengue fever. The top platelet-boosting foods are:
Pomegranate
Kiwi
Beetroot
Pumpkin
Wheatgrass
Folate and iron-rich foods: Iron and folate-rich foods, including leafy greens, citrus fruits, lentils, beans, fortified cereals, and spinach, encourage the production of blood cells and blood platelet count.
Protein sources: Consume more protein-packed foods, as protein helps with tissue repair and is essential for better immune function. When it comes to protein, is egg good for a dengue patient? And the answer is, egg is good for dengue patients if tolerated. Usually, soft-boiled or poached eggs are easy to digest.
Dengue patients should consume nutrient-packed foods that are easy to digest. Incorporate plenty of fruits, vegetables, and fluids into your diet that help with hydration and encourage recovery.
Here are the most advantageous foods for dengue patients that can aid in the healing process :
Consume more hydrating fluids such as water, coconut water, mosambi juice, herbal teas, soups, and electrolyte solutions such as ORS to prevent dehydration and replenish fluid loss due to fever.
Consume soft and light foods that provide essential nutrients and, at the same time, are easy to digest. You can consider khichdi, porridge, yogurt, and boiled vegetables.
Incorporate protein-rich foods into your diet, such as eggs, paneer, curd, lean chicken, pulses, lentils, and chickpeas, which encourage recovery.
Immunity boosters such as vitamin C fruits, tulsi tea, turmeric milk, guava, leafy greens, pumpkin, and beetroot increase immune function and aid recovery.
The best fruits that dengue patients should eat are kiwi, guava, pomegranate, mosambi, papaya (leaves and fruit), and banana, while fried foods and greasy foods should be avoided, as they do not help in improving blood platelet production.
Just like some foods are beneficial for dengue symptom management and recovery, certain foods can worsen he symptoms and are not good to eat during this infection.
Fried foods, oily and spicy foods, are difficult to digest, irritate the lining of the stomach, and prevent proper functioning of the digestive system. These foods can make the symptoms worse.
Processed foods should be avoided in dengue fever as they contain sodium, sugars, and unhealthy fats that interfere with the proper function of the digestive system. Junk food is considered harmful for dengue patients as it can delay recovery.
Sodas and sugar-containing beverages may cause blood sugar spikes and worsen dehydration, making the dengue symptoms even worse.
Red meat is considered harmful for people suffering from dengue fever. Generally, it is advised to avoid beef and pork as these types of meat are tough to digest, and fatty foods can worsen the symptoms, diminishing the recovery.
Caffeinated or alcoholic beverages can cause various adverse effects. While suffering from dengue or recovering from dengue fever, it is advised to avoid wine, beer, other alcoholic beverages, and caffeinated drinks. Caffeine has a diuretic effect that leads to dehydration, so it should not be consumed.
Early Morning: Warm water with papaya leaf juice or leaf extract.
Breakfast: Easy to digest, light meal such as fruit and oats or porridge.
Mid-Morning: Take Pomegranate juice or mosambi juice
Lunch: Boiled veggies with khichdi and curd, which is nutritious and at the same time easy to digest.
Evening Snack: For snacks, you can have fruits such as guava or abnana and a cup of herbal tea.
Dinner: Add boiled vegetables with dal and roti to your dinner plate.
Consider frequent but smaller portions to avoid stress on your digestive system and improve digestion.
Consume an adequate amount of water and fluids to avoid dehydration.
Listen to your body and consume more nutrients, dont overeat or eat forcefully.
Keep monitoring your platelet count and take rest, allowing healing and better recovery.
If symptoms persist or become worse, consult a healthcare professional promptly.
Mosambi juice is definitely good for dengue fever as it offers hydration, immune support, better digestion, electrolyte balance, and fatigue relief.
Fruits that are rich in antioxidants, hydration, and vitamin C, including banana, pomegranate, papaya, kiwi, orange, and watermelon.
Vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B12, iron, and folate-rich foods boost platelet production. These foods include citrus fruits, papaya leaf extract, leafy green vegetables, wheatgrass, pumpkin, and pomegranate.
Patients suffering from dengue can eat eggs if they are tolerated easily. Eggs contain protein that promotes tissue repair and healthy immune function.
Just like some foods accelerate the healing process and recovery, some foods can delay the recovery and even make the symptoms worse, and increase complications. Avoid acidic, oily, spicy, sugary foods, and also alcoholic and caffeinated beverages; soda, alcohol, and caffeinated drinks should not be consumed.
What you eat has a significant impact on how you feel and recover from dengue fever. A nutrient-rich diet helps ease symptoms, supports the immune system, improves digestion, and encourages healing. A balanced diet aids energy restoration and can help prevent possible complications.
The above-mentioned dengue-friendly diet and foods are excellent for a strong immune system, platelet production, and tissue repair. These dengue fever-friendly foods help maintain energy levels in the body, preventing dehydration. If your symptoms persist or become worse, talk to your healthcare provider to get necessary medical attention.
***Medical Disclaimer - The following information is for educational purposes only. No information provided on this website, including text, graphics, and images, is intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your doctor about specific medical advice about your condition(s).
