Nutrition and HIV/AIDS: A Training Manual - Linkages Project

Dietary Managementof Symptoms• Enables greater food intake• Contributes to increased comfort• Compensates for nutrient losses• Prevents dehydration• Complements and strengthens medicaltreatment• Reduces severity of symptoms•Dietary Managementof Symptoms, Cont.Anorexia: Eat small amounts of foodfrequently and eat energy-dense foodsThrush: Eat soft mashed foods cold or atroom temperature and avoid spices andsugarConstipation: Eat more high-fiber foods anddrink plenty of fluidsBloating and heartburn: Eat small andfrequent meals, avoid gas-forming foods,and eat long enough before sleeping•Dietary Managementof Symptoms, Cont.Diarrhea: Drink lots of fluids and eatenergy-and nutrient-dense foodsNausea: Eat small frequent meals, avoidlying down immediately after eating, restbetween mealsFever: Drink plenty of fluids and eat soupsthat are rich in energy and nutrient foodsAnemia: Eat iron-rich foods, such as animalproducts, green leafy vegetables. Take ironsupplement.Context-SpecificDietary ManagementAlways adapt recommendations to thespecific food habits and food securityconstraints of the context and the clientConclusions• Dietary management of HIV/AIDS-relatedsymptoms helps maintain food intake andcompensate for nutrient losses• Dietary management complements medicaltreatment and enhances the client’scapacity to fight opportunistic infections• Health workers and counselors shouldmonitor symptoms and food and drugregimen to ensure nutritional status ismaintained