How Can Your Nutrition Affect Your Recovery From Illness

How Can Your Nutrition Affect Your Recovery From Illness

While being unwell and losing a few pounds due to lack of appetite may seem like a blessing at first, losing weight due to longer illnesses or being unable to eat a proper diet can actually hinder you when trying to get better.

Dehydration is one of the biggest and most serious issues for someone who has been unwell. Water is the key to unlocking our body’s potential. When we drink enough water, we are less likely to feel sluggish, we may find we suffer fewer or no headaches and it may even be easier to maintain a healthy weight. If we don’t have enough water, our systems slow down which can result in weight retention among many other effects.

Water is particularly important if you have been unable to keep water in for long, suffering from vomiting or diarrhoea for example. If your illness means you have suffered from loose stools or diarrhoea, it might be also advised that you keep your fibre intake lower than usual to allow your bowel movements to get back to normal.

Some sources suggest that when you are recovering from illness, you need to consume an extra 200 calories per day. This is because your body has to work harder to get back to normal. If your calorie intake is less than you use, you may struggle to put weight back on, and your immune system could take a hit.

Your immune system is at its strongest when taking in a healthy diet. It is also advisable to take a vitamin C supplement which can help to boost your immune system further. Large doses of vitamin C are fairly safe, as it is water soluble and any nutrition your body does not require will simply pass in your urine. Speak to a doctor or pharmacist before trying any supplementation. Multivitamins with iron and zinc may also be useful, but they should be discussed with a healthcare professional and they are not intended to replace a healthy diet.

If you are really struggling to get food in due to loss of appetite or other causes, you might find medical nutrition supplements helpful. Complan, by Nutricia, is very popular and can be purchased from your local pharmacy or supermarket. One sachet contains all the nutrition you would get by eating a light meal. For long term issues, you may be referred to a dietician for advanced medical nutrition, designed to supplement or replace your diet where needed.

By making sure you take in the correct nutrition levels, you are setting your body up for a full and healthy recovery. By failing to eat, your immune system and the rest of your body has to work harder in order to cope. It’s right when grandma says ‘you need to eat to keep your strength up’. Getting a healthy diet back in place as soon as possible is essential to make sure your body can perform at its best and heal and fight the illness that has shaken it.