- What to eat
- What not to eat
- Pneumonia Diet Menu
- How to circumvent lack of appetite
- Optimal amount of fluids during pneumonia
To treat and cure pneumonia it is important to increase the consumption of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory foods, such as tuna, sardines, chestnuts, avocados, vegetables and fruits, such as orange and lemon, for example, as it is thus possible to strengthen the immune system and accelerate the recovery process.
In addition, it is also important to reduce the consumption of foods rich in sugar, fat, fried foods, salt and caffeine, as it can hinder recovery and worsen general health.
What to eat
Pneumonia is an infection that can be caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi, which results in an increase in the body's energy expenditure to fight the infection. So it is important that foods that are able to provide enough calories and strengthen the immune system to help the body fight the disease are consumed, along with the medication prescribed by the doctor.
In addition, to recover more quickly from pneumonia, you should eat fruits and vegetables at every meal of the day, as they are foods rich in water, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which help to keep the body hydrated and strengthen the immune system. Thus, you can make snacks with juices, chopped fruits and vitamins, for example, in addition to soups or vegetable creams for lunch or dinner. Some examples of good choices are orange, pineapple, strawberry, broccoli, spinach and tomato.
In addition, increase your intake of anti-inflammatory and omega-3-rich foods, such as salmon, sardines, avocados, chestnuts and flaxseed. help reduce inflammation caused by the disease, bringing relief from muscle pain and fever.
Check out some home remedies to fight pneumonia.
What not to eat
In addition to being aware of what to eat to speed recovery from pneumonia, it is also important to remember to avoid consuming foods that increase inflammation and make the disease worse, such as fried foods, sweets, high-fat foods and processed meats such as bacon, sausage, ham and sausage.
It is also important to avoid the consumption of processed foods and spices, such as instant noodles, frozen ready-made food, stuffed biscuits and diced meat broths, as well as foods rich in salt and caffeine, such as Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, coffee, green tea, tea black and soft drinks.
Pneumonia Diet Menu
The following table shows an example of a 3-day menu that helps to cure pneumonia more quickly.
| Meal | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 |
| Breakfast | 1 glass of orange juice + 1 slice of wholemeal bread + 1 egg | Banana smoothie with 1 spoon of oats + 1 spoon of peanut butter | 1 glass of pineapple juice + 1 tapioca with cheese |
| Morning snack | 1 bowl of strawberries with 1 tablespoon of oats | 1 apple + 10 cashew nuts | 1 cup of plain yogurt + 1 spoon of honey + 1 teaspoon of flaxseed |
| Lunch dinner | 2 small boiled potatoes + 1/2 salmon fillet or 1 can of sardines + braised cabbage salad | Cooked rice with chicken and vegetables | Vegetable soup with chicken or fish |
| Afternoon snack | 1 cup of plain yogurt + 3 col of granola soup | 1 glass of orange juice + 1 slice of wholemeal bread with cheese | Avocado smoothie |
Between meals, you should always remember to drink plenty of water, juices or weak teas, preferably without sugar, to increase your fluid intake. Even without an appetite, it is important to try to eat at every meal, even if the consumption is made in small quantities.
How to circumvent lack of appetite
During pneumonia, it is common to have a lack of appetite and reduced food intake, which can worsen the condition and delay recovery. Thus, some strategies to increase the consumption of nutrients and calories in the diet are:
- Make at least 5 meals a day, even if small, so that every 3-4 hours the body receives new nutrients; Take fruit vitamins increased with caloric and nutritious foods, such as oats, peanut butter, cocoa and beer yeast; Add a spoonful of olive oil in the soup or over lunch or dinner; Make porridge and cream of vegetables well concentrated, so that more calories are eaten, even when consuming small amounts of these preparations.
In some cases, the doctor may also prescribe the use of multivitamins in capsules for adults or in drops for children, to compensate a little for low food intake and stimulate appetite.
Optimal amount of fluids during pneumonia
During recovery from pneumonia, you should increase your fluid intake to at least 6 to 10 glasses a day, and you can use water, fruit juices or vegetable broths to increase hydration.
This will help control the water loss that occurs during times of fever and with increased nasal discharge, as well as relieving cough and increasing mood. Find out how Pneumonia Treatment in Babies and Children is done.
