Diet for Women

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• RDA

DIET FOR WOMEN

Women often tend to the nutritional needs of their families and neglect their own nutritional health. For women with HIV, this lapse can lead to increased instances of AIDS-related conditions, a general lack of energy and depression; serious consequences which may result in hospitalization.

Compared to HIV-infected men, women with HIV are at an increased risk of death, although their disease progression accelerates at the same rate as men. This is generally due to several factors, including varying access to health care and standard treatments, lack of social support, fear of discovery which may lead to loss of income, and more alarmingly, loss of family.

Can the importance of nutrition be underestimated when the benefits are so clear? By addressing their basic nutritional needs, HIV+ women can maintain a healthier, stronger immune system; mount a better defense against infections; increase effectiveness of medicines and medical procedures (also minimizing their side effects); prevent the breakdown of soft body tissues and maintain the energy needed to lead an active, full life.

Here are a few conditions affecting HIV positive women which can be controlled and enhanced through proper nutrition:

Heavy menstrual periods

Some HIV Positive women experience heavier bleeding during their periods. This may be due to low platelets. For women taking AZT, there is a greater risk of iron-deficient anemia. Eating lean meats, liver, egg yolk, legumes, green leafy vegetables, whole grains, molasses, fortified cereals and other iron-rich foods may be helpful.

To increase absorption of iron from non-animal sources, combine these foods with those high in vitamin C such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, cabbage, strawberries, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, green and red peppers, potatoes and supplements.

Lighter or missed menstrual periods

This condition often appears in women who are extremely underweight of overweight. When a woman is underweight and under stress, while not getting enough calories and nutrients, the body functions conservatively and slows or stops menstruation (condition called amenorrhea ). To help alleviate this, concentrate on eating " three square meals" a day, including each of the food groups, with additional healthy snacks and weight-gain supplements (drinks or bars are fine). Increase fluid intake and take time for both physical movement and rest each day.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

This condition can be improved through proper diet. Here's the plan: Eat starchy and protein rich foods every three hours to avoid food jags and sharp drops in blood sugar. Choose from each of the basic food groups, including liver, met, eggs and vegetables for B-vitamin values. Add a bit of vegetable oil (sunflower, safflower, or corn) to insure intake of fatty acids. It may be beneficial to eliminate, or cut back on, caffeine (including chocolate) to reduce breast-swelling and pain; also avoid high sodium foods (added salt, chips, processed foods) which can cause bloating. It may be a relief to know it is common to eat 300-500 more calories premenstrually, but choose this food wisely and resume your normal caloric intake after your period.

Menopause

As with all menopausal women, HIV+ women at this stage lose bone calcium and need to increase calcium in their diet with calcium (such as Tums). As women get older, they tend to eat more and exercise less. Including a good protein source at each meal and snack, and participating in a physical activity each day, such as stretching and walking, as advised.

Pregnancy and transmission

Include at least one vitamin A-rich food in your diet and limit vitamin A supplementation to a maximum of 5,000 IU per day. Beta carotene is converted into vitamin A in the body, and several studies have suggested that beta carotene supplementation may have an immuno-stimulating effect for people who are HIV+. However, a Johns-Hopkins study suggests limiting beta carotene supplementation to 13,000-25,000 IU per day. Foods rich in beta carotene are also rich in color: turnip greens, greens, carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, egg yolk and tomato juice.

Diet for Infants

Vegetarian or vegan infants and children

Breast milk or modified baby milk should provide sufficient nutrients for the baby until the age of 4 - 6 months. Solid foods should then be introduced gradually. Vitamin drops should be given from the age of one month to two years and preferably until five years of age.

If no foods of animal origin are to be eaten, either vitamin B12 supplement or a food fortified with vitamin B12 (soy milk) should be given.

Weaning at 4 - 6 months

Foods should be introduced one at a time, and the quantities gradually increased. Suitable first foods include:

Baby rice and water or baby milk,boiled nachni with milk
Smooth pur�e of vegetables, e.g. carrots.
Smooth pur�e of fruit, e.g. apple, pear or apricot.
If the baby is thirsty it can be given boiled cold water or very dilute unsweetened fruit juice. No sugar or salt should be added to babies' food.

Continue weaning 5 - 7 months

New foods can be introduced one at a time. Suitable foods include:

Well cooked, pur�ed pulses, e.g. Lentils and split peas.
Pur�ed root vegetables.
Pur�ed brown rice, brown rice flour and water or baby rice.
Mixtures of pulses, vegetables and/or rice pur�e.
Pur�ed stewed fruit or well mashed banana.
No sugar or salt should be used added to food and salt free stock should be used in cooking.

At about six months the baby, under close supervision, can be given wedges of apple, sticks of carrot or baked whole meal bread to encourage chewing. Some commercial baby foods are suitable for vegetarian or vegan babies. These are fortified with some vitamins and minerals.

7 - 9 months

The baby should still be having half a litre of milk. If cows' milk is not taken, boiled goats' milk or a soy milk substitute may be used, but not until the baby is eating a variety of other foods and not without consulting a doctor or health visitor. Foods can now be minced or finely chopped and new foods can be introduced. Suitable foods include:

Wholegrain breakfast cereals and porridge.
Roti.
Brown rice.
A variety of vegetables.
Fruit (grated, chopped or stewed, including cooked dried fruit).
Pulses and beans - well-cooked and mashed or pur�ed, given with cereal food such as rice or bread.

9 - 12 months

At this stage most babies will be eating three meals a day. Most of the family's foods will be suitable and a wide variety of foods, flavors and textures should be encouraged. However, spicy, fatty foods and whole nuts should be avoided. At least half a litre of milk or milk substitute should be consumed daily.

In order to get the best nutritional value from foods, it is essential that a mixture of foods is eaten at each meal.

Breakfast.

Wholegrain breakfast cereal and milk or milk substitute and whole meal bread / toast / porridge / chapatti and mashed vegetable etc.

Lunch / Dinner

Mashed bean stew / rice / lentil / vegetable soup / chapatti / khichidi / and vegetables(cooked or raw) / fruits / yogurt or milk pudding.