Food to help recover from dengue should be rich in foods that are sources of protein and iron, such as meat, eggs and liver, as these nutrients help prevent anemia and strengthen the immune system. Being well nourished favors the body in combating dengue, so it is important to eat frequently, rest and ingest at least 3 liters of fluids per day.
In addition to the foods that help fight dengue, you should avoid some foods that increase the severity of the disease, such as potatoes, pepper and tomatoes, as they increase the risk of bleeding.
Foods indicated in dengue
The most suitable foods for those with dengue are especially foods rich in protein and iron, which are important nutrients to prevent anemia and increase the formation of platelets, an essential substance to prevent bleeding and which is missing in the body during dengue.
Thus, the foods that help against dengue are:
- Lean meats such as chicken, fat-free red meat and fish; Liver; Milk and dairy products; Egg; Beans, chickpeas, lentils, peas; Water, coconut water, natural fruit juices.
In addition, it is also important to consume foods rich in vitamin C, such as orange, acerola, pineapple and kiwi, as this vitamin helps in the absorption of iron in the intestine and strengthens the immune system. See also the teas that are indicated to improve the symptoms of dengue in: Best home remedies for Dengue.
Menu for dengue
Here is an example you can eat in case of dengue to recover faster:
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | |
| Breakfast | 2 pancakes + 2 slices of cheese | 1 cup of decaffeinated coffee with milk + 2 scrambled eggs with 3 toast | 1 cup of decaffeinated coffee with milk + slices of bread and butter + 1 slice of papaya |
| Morning snack | 1 jar of plain yogurt + 2 tablespoons chia + ½ banana | 4 maria biscuits | 1 roasted banana with 1 spoon (of dessert) of chia |
| Lunch dinner | 90 grams of chicken breast + ½ cup of rice + ½ cup of beans + 1 cup of cauliflower salad with carrots + 1 dessert spoon of flax oil | 90 grams of boiled fish with pumpkin puree + 1 cup of beets with carrots + 1 dessert spoon of flax oil | 90 grams of turkey breast + 1 cup chickpeas + 1 cup sautéed vegetables (like eggplant with carrots) + 1 dessert spoon of flax oil |
| Afternoon snack | 1 ripe pear without skin | 1 cup of oatmeal with milk | 3 rice crackers with cheese |
What not to eat during dengue
Foods to avoid in dengue are those that contain salicylates, and act in a similar way to aspirin, which thins the blood and slows blood clotting, favoring bleeding. These foods are:
- Plum, cherry, blackberry, apple, melon, nectarine, peach, grape, tangerine, lemon, strawberry, raisin, currant; Almond, walnuts; Potato, cucumber, tomato, apricot; Pepper, garlic, onion, ginger.
In addition to avoiding these foods, some medications are also contraindicated in cases of dengue, such as AAS, Aspirin and Doril.
