If you are experiencing certain illness; special diet is recommended for you.

LOW SODIUM DIET

This diet is recommended for people with heart failure. By reducing sodium intake; symptoms of heart failure may improve.

Note: Eating too much salt causes the body to keep water retain, resulting to worst the fluid build-up that happens with heart failure.

You should have no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium each day if you’ve got heart failure. Less than 1,500 mg a day is ideal.

LOW CHOLESTEROL DIET

This diet is intended to lower the risks of having heart disease and obesity. It is also restricts the intake of saturated fat and cholesterol.

TYPES OF FATS

SATURATED FATS

Saturated fats can be found in a variety of foods, including:

•Animal meat including beef, poultry, pork

•Certain plant oils such as palm kernel or coconut oil

•Dairy products including cheese, butter, and milk

•Processed meats including bologna, sausages, hot dogs, and bacon

•Pre-packaged snacks including crackers, chips, cookies, and pastries

MONOUNSATURATED FATS

•This type of unsaturated fat contains only one double bond in its structure. Monounsaturated fats are typically liquid at room temperature and include canola oil and olive oil.

POLYUNSATURATED FATS

•This type of unsaturated fat contains two or more double bonds in their structure. They are liquid at room temperature. Polyunsaturated fats include safflower oil, sunflower oil, and corn oil.

FULL LIQUID DIET

A full liquid diet consists of liquids allowed on the clear liquid diet with addition of milk and small amounts of fiber. The diet may be used for short term such as a transition step between the clear liquid and soft diet following gastrointestinal surgery or procedures. It may also be appropriate for those with certain swallowing and chewing problems.

MECHANICAL SOFT DIET

Also commonly called soft diet and is a diet consists of physically soft foods. A patient with difficulty of swallowing and chewing; including patient with gastrointestinal problems and or mouth surgery. In some occasions, additional restrictions are stated. Patient advice to avoid acid reflux and those who are recovering from esophageal surgery are also initiated not to eat foods that can worsen reflux.

Foods high in acid are:

•Products with tomato

•Ketchup

•Citrus fruits

•Chocolate

•Mint

•Spicy foods

•Alcohol

•Caffeine

G6PD Diet

G6PD deficiency is a genetic abnormality that results in an inadequate amount of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) in the blood. This is a very important enzyme (or protein) that regulates various biochemical reactions in the body.

What are the symptoms of G6PD deficiency?

•rapid heart rate

•shortness of breath

•urine that is dark or yellow-orange

•fever

•fatigue

•dizziness

•paleness

•jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes

What causes G6PD deficiency?

G6PD deficiency is a genetic condition that is passed along from one or both parents to their child. In females, however, a mutation would have to be present in both copies of the gene. Since it’s less likely for females to have two altered copies of this gene, males are affected by G6PD deficiency much more frequently than females.

More about G6PD Deficiency ‘triggers’

•baked items, like cakes and cookies

•bottled lemon and lime juice

•frozen or canned fruits and veggies

•cornmeal and cornstarch

•crackers

•sauces like ketchup and mustard

•processed meat, like hot dogs and sausages

•dried fruits and veggies (including raisins)

•dried spices and herbs like mint

•tea

•fish and shellfish

•fresh grapes

•jams, preserves and fruit pie fillings

•lettuce

•fruit and veggie juices

•prepared potatoes (like frozen fries, dehydrated potato)

•chips and candy

•prepared rice and noodle mixes

•soy products

•processed tomato (like tomato puree or tomato paste)

•vinegar

•Despite the fact that G6PD Deficiency is so common, manufacturers of commercial food products are not required to state on their packaging whether the ingredients they contain are safe for someone with the condition.

•Therefore, it can be very difficult to ascertain whether commercially prepared food is safe for your baby.

•IF IN DOUBT, CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION.

Other foods to avoid if your child has G6PD Deficiency

In addition to the foods mentioned in the list above – which may contain sulfites – other foods that should be avoided, or only introduced under the guidance of your child’ doctor, are…

•Fava beans (also known as broad beans) and possibly ALL legumes (see note about favism below. You can see a detailed list of all legumes, with the various names by which they are known.

•Peanut butter (see note regarding legumes, above)

•Soy and soy products like tofu – soy does not affect all individuals with G6PD Deficiency, but you should certainly get the go-ahead from your doctor before introducing it to your baby.

•Blueberries (and products containing them, like blueberry yogurt)

•Bitter melon/melon gourd

•Some Chinese herbs

•Artificial ascorbic acid

•Artificial food colour (particularly blue)

•Menthol (can be in certain candy and toothpaste)

•Artificial food preservatives

•Most prepared Chinese and Korean food (this is because it often contains sauces made with soy or bean paste)

REMEMBER

The above list may not contain every food that could act as a trigger for your patient. Please speak to your doctor before introducing new foods to your patient.

BRAT/BRAC DIET

(banana, rice, apple juice, toast/crackers)

Common recommendations for children with gastrointestinal tract problems. Brat diet foods are low in fiber, protein and fat.

How to follow the BRAT diet?

•In the first six hours of your illness, you may want to skip food altogether. Wait until the vomiting and diarrhea have stopped to give your stomach some rest.

•Before introducing the BRAT diet, you may want to start by sucking on popsicles or ice chips, and sipping water or sports drinks. That will help replace water and electrolytes that were lost as a result of your illness.

•You should try to add clear liquids back into your diet in the first 24 hours after your illness. Try sipping on liquids every 10 minutes or so.

•Try things like water, apple juice, and vegetable or chicken broth. If your symptoms return, stop drinking the clear liquids, and wait a couple of hours before trying again.

•After the first day of your illness, start following the BRAT diet. This diet is limiting and not very nutritious, so you won’t want to stay on it for longer than necessary.

•By the third day following your illness, you should start slowly adding normal foods back into your diet. Start with things like soft-cooked eggs, cooked fruits and vegetables, and white meat, like chicken or turkey.

•The important thing is to follow your body’s cues. If you eat too much variety too soon, your symptoms may return. On the other hand, you may be able to eat a lot soon after your sickness ends.

LOW RESIDUE AND LOW FIBER DIET

Low-fiber and low-residue diets may be recommended for patients with diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and bowel inflammation. These diets also are used when there is narrowing of the bowel, before or after major surgery of the digestive tract and when radiation therapy causes complications. Low-fiber and low-residue diets will slow the movement and decrease the amount of stool in the intestines. This may prevent blockage.

General Guidelines

Low-Fiber

•Include white bread and refined cereals and rice products. Avoid products made with whole grain flour, bran, seeds or nuts.

•Choose canned or cooked fruits and vegetables. Some allowed raw or cooked fruits and vegetables may cause discomfort; omit these foods. Drink juices without pulp.

•Eat tender, ground or well-cooked meats. Avoid all dried beans and peas.

Low-Residue

•Follow low-fiber guidelines

•Limit milk and milk products to 2 cups per day

•Exclude prune juice from diet

DASH DIET

Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, or DASH, is a diet recommended for people who want to prevent or treat hypertension — also known as high blood pressure — and reduce their risk of heart disease.

The DASH diet was designed to reduce high blood pressure. While rich in fruits, vegetables and lean proteins, it restricts red meat, salt, added sugars and fat.

Lowers Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is a measure of the force put on your blood vessels and organs as your blood passes through them. It's counted in two numbers:

• Systolic pressure: The pressure in your blood vessels when your heart beats.
• Diastolic pressure: The pressure in your blood vessels between heartbeats, when your heart is at rest.

Whole Grains: 6–8 Servings per Day

Examples of whole grains include whole-wheat or whole-grain breads, whole-grain breakfast cereals, brown rice, bulgur, quinoa and oatmeal.

Examples of a serving include:

• 1 slice of whole-grain bread
• 1 ounce (28 grams) of dry, whole-grain cereal
• 1/2 cup (95 grams) of cooked rice, pasta or cereal

Vegetables: 4–5 Servings per Day

All vegetables are allowed on the DASH diet.

Examples of a serving include:

• 1 cup (about 30 grams) of raw, leafy green vegetables like spinach or kale
• 1/2 cup (about 45 grams) of sliced vegetables — raw or cooked — like broccoli, carrots, squash or tomatoes

Fruits: 4–5 Servings per Day

If you're following the DASH approach, you'll be eating a lot of fruit. Examples of fruits you can eat include apples, pears, peaches, berries and tropical fruits like pineapple and mango.

Examples of a serving include:

• 1 medium apple
• 1/4 cup (50 grams) of dried apricots
• 1/2 cup (30 grams) of fresh, frozen or canned peaches

Dairy Products: 2–3 Servings per Day

Dairy products on the DASH diet should be low in fat. Examples include skim milk and low-fat cheese and yogurt.

Examples of a serving include:

• 1 cup (240 ml) of low-fat milk
• 1 cup (285 grams) of low-fat yogurt
• 1.5 ounces (45 grams) of low-fat cheese

Lean Chicken, Meat and Fish: 6 or Fewer Servings per Day

Choose lean cuts of meat and try to eat a serving of red meat only occasionally — no more than once or twice a week.

Examples of a serving include:

• 1 ounce (28 grams) of cooked meat, chicken or fish
• 1 egg

Nuts, Seeds and Legumes: 4–5 Servings per Week

These include almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, kidney beans, lentils and split peas.

Examples of a serving include:

• 1/3 cup (50 grams) of nuts
• 2 tablespoons (40 grams) of nut butter
• 2 tablespoons (16 grams) of seeds
• 1/2 cup (40 grams) of cooked legumes

Fats and Oils: 2–3 Servings per Day

The DASH diet recommends vegetable oils over other oils. These include margarines and oils like canola, corn, olive or safflower. It also recommends low-fat mayonnaise and light salad dressing.

Examples of a serving include:

• 1 teaspoon (4.5 grams) of soft margarine
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of salad dressing

Candy and Added Sugars: 5 or Fewer Servings per Week

Added sugars are kept to a minimum on the DASH diet, so limit your intake of candy, soda and table sugar. The DASH diet also restricts unrefined sugars and alternative sugar sources, like agave nectar.

Examples of a serving include:

• 1 tablespoon (12.5 grams) of sugar
• 1 tablespoon (20 grams) of jelly or jam
• 1 cup (240 ml) of lemonade

PTB DIET

It’s a vicious cycle: Poor nutrition can actually encourage the persistence of active tuberculosis disease, and active tuberculosis leads to worsening malnutrition. So to keep your body primed to fight TB, you have to feed it right.

Getting Good Nutrition When You Have TB

To give your body the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients it needs to fight active tuberculosis and regain your strength and stamina, you need to eat a diet containing a variety of healthy foods, such as:

Foods rich in Vitamin A, C and E

Vitamin A (Retinoids)

Sources: Carrots, sweet potato, pumpkin, green leafy vegetables, squash, cantaloupe, bell pepper, Chinese cabbage, beef, eggs, peaches

Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)

Sources: Guava, bell pepper, kiwi, orange, grapefruit, strawberries, Brussels sprouts, cantaloupe, papaya, broccoli, sweet potato, pineapple, cauliflower, kale, lemon juice, parsley.

Vitamin E (Tocopherol)

Sources: Green leafy vegetables, almonds, sunflower seeds, olives, blueberries, most nuts, most seeds, tomatoes, avocado

What to Avoid When You Have Active Tuberculosis

As is always the case for good health, there are certain foods you shouldn’t eat and substances you shouldn’t use.

• Skip tobacco in all forms.
• Don't drink alcohol — it can add to the risk of liver damage from some of the drugs used to treat your TB.
• Limit coffee and other caffeinated drinks.
• Limit refined products, like sugar, white breads, and white rice.
• Avoid high-fat, high-cholesterol red meat and instead load up on leaner protein sources like poultry, beans, tofu, and fish.

STOMACH ULCER DIET

What to eat if you have a stomach ulcer;

In addition to taking the antibiotics and acid-blocking medications recommended by your doctor for your ulcer treatment, eating these foods may also be helpful against the ulcer-causing bacteria:

• cauliflower
• cabbage
• radishes
• apples
• blueberries
• raspberries
• blackberries
• strawberries
• cherries
• bell peppers
• carrots
• broccoli
• leafy greens, such as kale and spinach
• probiotic-rich foods, such as yogurt, kefir, miso, sauerkraut, kombucha, and kimchi
• olive oil and other plant-based oils
• honey
• garlic
• decaffeinated green tea
• licorice
• turmeric

Foods to limit when you have acid reflux and an ulcer

Foods that may make acid reflux worse include:

• Alcohol
• Coffee (regular, decaf)
• Caffeinated foods and drinks
• Milk or cream
• Fatty meats
• Fried foods/high-fat foods
• Heavily spiced foods
• Salty foods
• Citrus fruits and juices
• Tomatoes/tomato products
• Chocolate

Best Choices

Fruits: Any fresh or frozen fruits are good and contribute beneficial fiber and antioxidants. Berries, apples, grapes, and pomegranates are among the best choices for ulcer healing polyphenols. If citrus fruits or juices like orange or grapefruit trigger reflux, avoid those.

Vegetables: Leafy greens, bright red and orange vegetables, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and kale are packed with vitamins and antioxidants that are especially good for your overall health and healing. Avoid spicy peppers and tomatoes/tomato products if they cause reflux. Limit raw vegetables, as they can be harder to digest.

Lean proteins: Skinless poultry, lean beef like sirloin or tenderloin, fish, eggs, tofu, tempeh, dry beans, and peas are excellent sources of low-fat protein. Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines provide omega-3 fats, which can reduce inflammation and may be helpful in preventing another ulcer.

Fermented dairy: Products like kefir and Greek yogurt provide probiotics along with protein, so they're good choices.

Breads and grains: 100% whole grain breads and whole or cracked grains like oats, quinoa, farro, millet, or sorghum are good sources of fiber to include in your diet.

Herbs and spices: You can use most mild herbs and spices liberally. They're all concentrated sources of health-promoting antioxidants. Best bets include turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, and garlic, which have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. For a sweetener, try to use honey instead of sugar.

Foods to Limit

Alcohol: All alcohol is a stomach irritant and will delay healing. Avoid wine, beer, and spirits.

Caffeine: You should cut back or eliminate coffee, tea, and caffeinated sodas, as these can increase stomach acid production.

Milk: Used to be recommended as a treatment for ulcers, but the latest research has found that it increases stomach acid, so it's best to avoid it.

Certain meats: Avoid highly-seasoned meats, lunch meats, sausages, and any fried or fatty meats and proteins.

High-fat foods: Try to avoid large amounts of added fats, which can increase stomach acid and trigger reflux. You may need to avoid gravy, cream soups, and highly-seasoned salad dressings. (Healthy fats are OK.)

Spicy foods: You may want to skip anything that is "hot" such as chili peppers, horseradish, black pepper, and sauces and condiments that contain them, especially if they bother you or cause any pain or reflux.

Salty foods: Researchers have found that highly salted foods may promote the growth of H. pylori. Be aware that pickles, olives, and other brined or fermented vegetables are high in salt and are associated with an increased risk of H. pylori ulcers.

Chocolate: Chocolate can increase stomach acid production, and some people find that it triggers reflux symptoms.

Recommended Timing

Try to eat five or six small meals each day, rather than three large ones. Stomach acid is produced every time you eat, but large meals require much more of it for digestion, which can be irritating.

Finish up eating at least three hours before bedtime, and try to stay upright for a few hours after your last bite for improved digestion and less acid reflux.