Let’s consider 6 basic nutritional recommendations for relieving the symptoms of shingles.
- Nutrition should be balanced and contain all the necessary and important trace elements. The menu should contain a sufficient amount of complete proteins (lean meat and fish, milk and kefir).
- The amount of plant foods in the diet should exceed the amount of food of animal origin. If there is a salad of fresh vegetables on the table during each meal, the body’s defenses will gradually increase.
- All harmful foods should be avoided: smoked and salty foods, canned foods and sweets. All these products do not supply the body with nutrients and vitamins, but only worsen the digestive process.
- In shingles, it is recommended to use fermented milk products that contain bifidobacteria and restore the damaged microflora. In this case, there is a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract.
- The menu should consist of fresh and plant foods without additives that will unreasonably stimulate the immune system and the body’s resistance. Therefore, the diet should be based on fruits and vegetables.
- To normalize the functioning of the intestine should abandon sweet carbonated beverages, as they adversely affect the liver and complicate the condition of the patient with shingles.
- Foods consumed during the day must contain vitamins A, C, B and E, omega-3 acids.
Nutrition in this disease is as important as taking drugs for herpes (Amantrel, Acivir). And if it is strictly adhered to, it will speed up recovery. The shingles diet includes a list of recommended and prohibited foods. Recommended foods:
- nuts and citrus fruits;
- dairy products (cheese, natural yogurt, milk);
- olive oil;
- propolis and honey;
- river and sea fish;
- salad and green vegetables;
- broccoli;
- oatmeal and buckwheat;
- chicken and turkey meat;
- beans, lentils;
- pumpkin.
It is important to include in the diet those foods that can provide the body with vitamins E, A, B and C. During this diet, children and adults should follow an adequate drinking regime. It is better to prefer medicinal table mineral water, decoction of dog rose and St. John’s wort, green tea, dried fruit compote. Drinks should not be hot, but warm.
During illness, the following foods should be excluded from the diet:
- fatty fish and meat;
- fatty broths;
- smoked and salty foods;
- canned food and marinades;
- sauces and fast foods;
- cakes, pastries and buns;
- milk chocolate and sweets;
- cereals – semolina and white rice;
- black and red pepper;
- chicken eggs;
- horseradish;
- fried food.
These foods reduce the body’s resistance to various viruses and infections.
A balanced diet for shingles has a positive effect on the body. Food should be cooked, steamed or baked, but never fried. In addition, it is recommended to take vitamin complexes that will restore impaired metabolism and help form antibodies that will resist the herpes virus. Properly designed menu for patients with shingles will not only help to cope with the disease itself, but will also have a preventive effect.