Diet For Typhoid: Foods To Eat And Avoid for Fast Recover

Typhoid fever is a rare illness in developed countries but is common in developing countries. It can become a threat as typhoid may even lead to serious health problems. Typhoid is caused by a bacteria called Salmonella typhi, which can be very harmful for the human body. Typhoid fever comes with a number of side effects like headache, fever, fatigue, body aches, etc. Typhoid fever treatment and food are crucial aspects to consider when dealing with this illness.

The main factor behind getting infected with this illness is by drinking or eating the bacteria in contaminated food or water. The bacteria, Salmonella typhi, can even survive for weeks in water and sewage. Diet changes are not the ideal way to treat typhoid fever, but it can surely help in reducing typhoid symptoms. To know more about it in detail, Onlymyhealth editorial team talked to Dr R.K Singhal, Senior Director And HOD - Internal Medicine, BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, about the symptoms, causes, treatment and what to eat and avoid for typhoid.

Common Symptoms of Typhoid

Typhoid is a serious health concern. It requires immediate treatment and lifestyle improvements. But before that, it is important to identify if the person is suffering from Typhoid or viral fever.

The common symptoms of Typhoid are:

• Continuous high body temperature that doesn’t go away

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Body ache

• Indigestion

• Constipation

• Vomiting

Alongside this, if left untreated, these symptoms may become more complicated and worse during the night. One can experience loss of appetite and diarrhoea. It can last up to more than a month, opening doors to multiple health issues. If it is not treated on time, it can become a threat to life. To confirm typhoid we can analyze through blood tests, poo or pee.

What to eat and avoid for typhoid?

There are particular foods that help in coping with illnesses, while some food items should be avoided to protect yourself from further risk factors. Typhoid makes your body weak and it requires energy to survive. Therefore, it is essential to take care of your diet while suffering from this problem.

Foods containing Omega-3 fatty acids and protein are beneficial in Typhoid. Soybeans and eggs strengthen you while fighting the disease. Along with these, fruits like ripe bananas, apples, papayas, and apples are good to eat during Typhoid.

As far as the diet is concerned, one should take easily digestible foods like porridge, baked potatoes, chicken soup, tofu, mushrooms, and soft rice. Adding lemon juice to the food is a good choice, as its citrus nature helps recovery. Taking turmeric milk is also recommended, for it enhances the body's defence mechanism and helps fight Typhoid bacteria.

While the recovery phase, one needs to strictly avoid certain food items. Raw vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains like quinoa, and dried fruits are prohibited during Typhoid. Some people have the habit of drinking tea, but one should avoid such beverages. However, tea with medicinal qualities can be taken.

Here is what you should eat and avoid for typhoid:

Eat the Following Foods During Typhoid

1. Yogurt

   According to a study, yogurt contains Bifidobacteria that improved bloating and disturbed bowel movements in typhoid patients within three to six weeks. If you are suffering from typhoid, then having yogurt can help you in relieving some of the symptoms like lose motions. Yogurt is one of the best probiotic foods and probiotics are good bacteria that help in improving your health and overcoming many illnesses. You can include milk or yogurt in your morning diet.

2. Watermelon And Grapes

   Easily digestible food is an essential component of a typhoid diet. And, watermelon and grapes are fruits that have a high content of water and can be digested very easily. The rich water content in these fruits helps in restoring the water content in the body that might have been disrupted due to dehydration in typhoid patients. Watermelon and grapes have good amounts of nutrients like Vitamin C, A and B6 that help in lowering the temperature of typhoid fever. Therefore, these fruits should be included in the daily diet of a typhoid patient.

3. Boiled Potato

   Increasing the intake of carbohydrates is also advised by doctors to help with the symptoms of typhoid. And, one should consume potato as it is a good source of carbs. So, boiled potato can be very helpful for a typhoid patient to overcome sudden weight loss as it has a high calorific value. Boiling the potatoes can even kill the germs and bacteria that might be harmful to you. Potatoes are good sources of iron, potassium and vitamin C and can be beneficial for your immunity, resulting in faster recovery from typhoid fever.

   Moreover, other signs of recovery from typhoid include a decrease in diarrhoea and constipation and a reduction in abdominal pain. The doctor may also suggest some laboratory tests confirm that the bacteria has been eliminated from the body.

4. Porridge And Daliya

   Porridge should also be added to a typhoid patient’s diet. It is a solid food that can help in recovering from weakness during typhoid. Porridge and daliya are dense carbohydrate foods and contain good amounts of proteins that help in easy digestion and coping up from weakness in individuals suffering from typhoid. Moreover, these foods can even help in boosting your strength.

5. Plenty of Fluids

   Plenty of liquid intake is recommended at home for a typhoid patient. Fluids like coconut water, lime juice, roohafza and buttermilk should be consumed in abundance if you are suffering from this illness. Liquids should surely be more as you don’t have much appetite so you can gain energy and nutrients through them. If the patient is hospitalised, then doctors can give IV fluids.

6. Bananas

   Bananas are included in high-calorie diets, and thus can be beneficial for typhoid patients in gaining weight. This fruit should be included in your fruit salad for a lot of health benefits. Bananas are highly nutritious, wholesome with important nutrients like potassium, Vitamin C and They will give you even more energy and many antioxidants that provide strength to overcome typhoid symptoms.

7. White Rice

   It is rich in carbohydrates and also assists in easy digestion. It compensates for energy lost during Typhoid and Speeds-up recovery process.

8. Bottled Water

   It contains essential minerals in the purest form and is free from harmful bacteria and germs. It rehydrates the body to provide energy and reduces the chances of bacterial infection.

9. Herbal Tea

   It contains a mixture of spices, herbs, fruits, and tea leaves. Moreover, it doesn't contain caffeine. It boosts the immune system, and It helps in detoxification.

10. Coconut Water

    It contains hygienic minerals. It has low in calories and sugar. It boosts electrolytes like potassium, magnesium, and sodium and replenishes lost nutrients during Typhoid.

Avoid the Following Foods During Typhoid

1. Raw vegetables

   Food items like broccoli, kale, cauliflower, cabbage, and onions produce gas and bloating during digestion. They increase pressure on the digestive system, which is harmful during Typhoid.

2. Fruits

   Dried fruit and raw berries, pineapple, and kiwi contain high fibre. Therefore, they are hard to digest. If people consume high fibre fruits during Typhoid, their digestive system further suppresses and increases recovery time.

3. Whole grains

   Certain foods like quinoa, couscous, barley, buckwheat, and brown rice take enough time to digest. It increases the pressure on the digestive system. Having a high fever with bad digestion makes patients restless.

4. Nuts

   Dry fruits like almonds, pistachios, macadamia nuts, and walnuts have fibre content which takes time to digest. Therefore, you must avoid nuts to improve digestion during Typhoid.

5. Seeds

   Pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, and other high-fibre seeds keeps the gut full for an extended period. They also increase the time of digestion. Eating these foods during Typhoid reduces sufficient energy supply.

6. Legumes

   Black beans, kidney beans, lentils, and chickpeas cause bloating during digestion. This condition further worsens and suppresses the digestion process.

7. Spicy foods

   Food items that contain hot peppers, jalapeños, paprika, and cayenne pepper are strictly restricted during Typhoid. They result in inflammation of the intestines, which degrades health conditions.

8. Fatty foods

   Oily and processed foods like doughnuts, mozzarella sticks, fried chicken, potato chips, and onion rings suppress the digestive system. Consuming these foods increases digestive complications during Typhoid.

Diet Chart For Typhoid Patient

Conclusion

Typhoid is a serious disease which results in a severe nutritional loss. To experience a speedy recovery, patients need to take prescribed medicines and follow healthy eating habits. Apart from eating properly cooked foods, it is also crucial to drink bottled water to compensate for water loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is milk good for Typhoid patients?

Typhoid patients can consume milk. However, it is necessary to properly boil the milk before consumption to reduce the chances of bacterial attack.

2. Can I eat roti during Typhoid?

Roti contains a high amount of fibre which is hard to digest. Therefore, typhoid patients must avoid eating roti.

3. How long does Typhoid stay in your body?

Treating typhoid requires proper medication and patient care. By following all the prescribed advice of a medical professional, symptoms of Typhoid can improve in 3 to 5 days.

4. Why is Typhoid reinfection common?

Typhoid is transmitted through the faecal-oral route. A person infected with Salmonella typhi can easily pass the infection through faeces or urine.

5. How can I prevent infecting others?

To stop the further spread of Typhoid, infected people must maintain a hygienic lifestyle and proper sanitation. They must practise washing their hands with soap and clean water after using the toilet.

6. What is the fastest way to recover from Typhoid?

To recover from typhoid fever, patients must take medications timely and eat properly cooked and easily digestible foods. In addition, they must drink sufficient water to remain hydrated.

7. What antibiotics kill Typhoid?

If the medicines are taken on time coupled with diet management and proper rest, Typhoid can be treated within a week. The symptoms start improving within 2 days. Antibiotics like Ceftriaxone, Levofloxacin, Azithromycin, and Ciprofloxacin are impactful. However, Ceftriaxone is not recommended for pregnant women, as it is strong.

8. Can we take a bath in Typhoid?

Though it feels difficult for the patient to shower with a high fever, taking a once or twice bath a week can be helpful. At the same time, one should dry hair precisely to avoid the chances of a cold.