Introduction
Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne disease spread by the female Aedes Species, Aedes aegypti, and Aedes albopictus. The Chikungunya virus belongs to the Togaviridae family.
People suffering from Chikungunya experience symptoms like chills, nausea, vomiting, severe headache, high-grade fever, swelling of the joints, muscle and joint pain, sore throat, cramps in the muscles, and sensitivity to light.
There are no drugs or vaccines for a permanent cure for Chikungunya. However, understanding the risk factors, taking preventive actions to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes, eating the right food, following hygenic principles to keep home and surrounding clean, and spreading awareness to prevent mosquito bites are the best methods to keep the spread of the disease under control.
This article has discussed the food items you should have in your diet if diagnosed with Chikungunya. Having the right food in the diet and keeping the body hydrated is the best way to recover faster. According to a published article, the diet for Chikungunya patients should have 1600 kilocalories of food per day (breakdown as 800 mg of Calcium, 1200 mg of Sodium, 288 gm of carbohydrate, 67 gm of protein, 20 gm of total fat, and 20 mg of iron.)
However, before following any diet plan or incorporating any herbal medication for relief and faster recovery, always consult a registered physician, pharmacist, and nutritionist.
Foods to eat if you have Chikungunya
- Coconut water
Coconut water plays an essential role in recovering patients suffering from diseases like Jaundice, Chikungunya, Dengue, and Malaria. Patients suffering from Chikungunya should have fresh green coconut water because of its detoxifying nature. Also, coconut water replenishes the electrolyte and minerals content lost by the patient due to the disease. Coconut water is refreshing and keeps the body hydrated. Drinking three to four glasses of coconut water per day will help improve the patient’s recovery rate. - Green leafy vegetables, Fresh Fruits, and Vegetable soup
The benefits of eating well-cooked green leafy vegetables are not hidden to anyone. Green leafy vegetables are beneficial for Chikungunya patients as they help control symptoms like joint pain and prepare the body to fight against the disease. Green leafy vegetables are rich in essential vitamins and have a significant advantage of getting digested easily.
To recover faster, chikungunya patients must include fresh fruits like apples, pomegranates, bananas, ripe papaya, pear, pineapple, cherries, mausambi, cheeku, and many more.
Suppose patients do not feel good about chewing green leafy vegetables. In that case, they can be served carrot soup, tomato soup, mixed vegetable soup, and fresh salads to provide relief in Chikungunya. Carrots, Capsicum, Cabbage, Cauliflower, green peas, tomatoes, turnip, onions, garlic, and ginger should be used to make a healthy mix of vegetable soup. However, do not add marketed Soup powder to your homemade soup. Vitamin A and C-rich vegetables should be included in the diet of Chikungunya patients. - Drinking sufficient water
Keeping the body hydrated is vital for every human being. And, when people have any disease, it becomes essential not to skip drinking 12-15 glasses of water. This is because water helps in cleansing the body, improves the function of the kidneys, and enhances the body’s immunity system. In addition, it helps the patient in faster recovery. Therefore, chikungunya patients should drink a sufficient amount of normal water as per the direction of their physician. - Homemade Yellow Dal
Homemade yellow dal is a good energy source (protein) and is easily digestible. Therefore, eating in the required quantity as directed by the nutritionist or physician is beneficial for Chikungunya patients. - Papaya leaf extract
Papaya leaf juice helps recover blood platelet count, which generally drops when a patient suffers from diseases like Dengue and Chikungunya. - Herbal Tea
Herbal tea boosts the immunity of the patients. Herbal tea made from ginger, tulsi leaves, fennel seeds, ajwain, cumin seeds, jaggery, and lemon helps a lot in providing relief and recovery of the muscle and joint pains among Chikungunya patients. Chewing effective herbs like tulsi leaves can help in lowering the fever and strengthening immunity. In addition, one can add honey or jaggery to make the herbal tea better in taste.
Some people also consider having tulsi leaves and Ashwagandha to reduce fever and pain in Chikungunya patients. However, do not take any herbal drug without prior advice from a medical practitioner or
a pharmacist. - Foods rich in Vitamin C
Vitamin C-rich foods are recommended for consumption during Chikungunya because they are high in antioxidants and help increase immunity. In addition, Vitamin C-rich foods, such as oranges, kiwis, and guava, are easily digestible and do not cause any damage to the digestive system of the patient. Therefore, vitamin C and vitamin E-rich foods support overall health and help Chikungunya patients recover faster.
Squeezing half a slice of lemon on rice or dal will benefit patient recovery. - Food items containing Omega-3 fatty acids
Patients diagnosed with Chikungunya benefit significantly by incorporating omega-3 fatty acids in their diet because the omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation. Flaxseeds, walnuts, almonds, chia seeds, and fish such as tuna, mackerel, sardine, salmon, trout, and others are high in omega-3 fatty acids. - Giloy Juice
Giloy juice is widely accepted as an effective treatment for faster recovery in Chikungunya patients. Therefore, a few drops of giloy juice added to a glass of water should be consumed by Chikungunya patients twice a day to see better results. However, one should consult with a physician or a pharmacist before taking herbal medications. - Barley
Barley, also called jau or jau ka sattu in Hindi, detoxifies the liver and is beneficial in managing the recovery of Chikungunya patients.
REFERENCES
- These 10 superfoods will help you recover from Chikungunya faster. Accessed at
https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/these-10-superfoods-will-help-you-recover-from-chikungunya-faster-101631522328199.html - Chikungunya Diet: Best Foods For Better Recovery From Chikungunya. Accessed at
https://doctor.ndtv.com/living-healthy/chikungunya-diet-best-foods-for-better-recovery-from-chikungunya-2101882 - Suffering From Chikungunya? Know What to Eat & Avoid. Accessed at
https://www.credihealth.com/blog/chikungunya-what-to-eat-what-to-avoid/ - 10 foods and liquids to consume during ‘Chikungunya’. Accessed at
https://www.indiatvnews.com/lifestyle/news-10-foods-and-liquids-to-consume-during-chikungunya-350081 - Diet Chart for Chikungunya. Accessed at
https://www.lybrate.com/topic/chikungunya-diet-chart - Lifestyle Modifications and Diet Control During and Post Chikungunya Treatment. Accessed at
https://www.nightingales.in/blog/health-checkup/fight-chikungunya-nightingales/ - Recover From Chikungunya Better With These 5 Food Items. Accessed at
https://www.news18.com/news/lifestyle/health-and-fitness-recover-from-chikungunya-better-with-these-5-food-items-2297773.html
