A friend of my is HIV+ and I want to help him stay strong with a vegetarian diet. I'm an amateur chef so I'm very comfortable in the kitchen. My specialties are Asian, Indian and Italian cooking.
Does anyone, in general, know what nutrients would be essential for him to maintain a strong body, especially because of his condition? Also, if anyone has any suggestions for meals, I would love to hear them.
2007-09-06 04:12:48 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Food & Drink ➔ Vegetarian & Vegan
I should explain. I'm NOT trying to get my friend to use vegetarianism as a substitute for ANY medication. The reason I asked in the vegetarian section is because that is the only kind of cooking I do and I want to help him anyway I can.
2007-09-06 04:38:28 · update #1
None of us here are equipped to answer this. I really would have him see a doctor or nutritionist that have experience with HIV.
2007-09-06 05:04:39 · answer #1 · answered by KathyS 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Vegetarian or not, the ONE and ONLY thing absolutely shown to prolong the life of HIV+ patients is sticking to a proper regiment of anti-viral drugs.
Vegetarian is great if he wants to stay generally healthy, lower his blood pressure and cholesterol, that kind of stuff, but this isn't related to the virus.
Just remember that everyone needs to eat fat, carbs and protein, so include legumes, soy and such to make sure the diet include protein, and try to include nuts and olive oil to make sure he gets his complement of fats if you insist on no meat products.
With a generally well balanced diet, plenty of variety and making sure he gets a full complement of nutrients, there is no need to supplement any particular nutrient.
Frankly, there is no evidence that even something as simple as a multi-vitamin has any effect on people's health so long as they have a well-balanced diet. Because a well-balanced diet already includes everything you need.
2007-09-06 04:31:46 · answer #2 · answered by William 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I worked as a corrections officer we would have inmates that had AIDS and they were served vegetarian meals mainly because they had more immune strengthening agents, what people now call probiotics. Some of them we had to supervise at the hospital and the nurses told me a vegetarian diet was easily digestible unlike a meat-eating diet. One of the things they served which I eventually made and got addicted to is pinapple and cheddar cheese wrapped in lettuce. She said they also use it for patients with high cholesterol and heart disease. They would also serve lots of meals with various beans, yogurt, and green's. They also got a fruit cup twice a day. They also gave them root lots of root vegetable such as parsnips, potatos, carrots, ect for extra B12.
2007-09-06 06:21:40 · answer #3 · answered by al l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I suggest you talk to his doctor/or and a nutritionist about the best foods to cook for your friend. Physicians' Committee for Responsible Medicine has a website on diets for patients with cancer (www.thecancerproject.org). While they are two different illnesses, you may get information on keeping your friend strong. Or you could contact them to see if they have resources for the HIV positive.
2007-09-06 07:32:29 · answer #4 · answered by VeggieTart -- Let's Go Caps! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's very commendable!
Some things I would suggest is to make sure he is getting plenty of vitamin c, vitamin e, antioxidants, and high quality vegan protein. Those three things are the most important, nutritionally, for someone with HIV.
I would detox or cleanse him every three days in addition to that. You can make him some great smoothies that will help with that. Blend up a bunch of different low sugar organic fruits with some raw organic soybeans. Add some cran-apple juice to the mix also, thats great for detoxing.
2007-09-06 08:01:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
HIV treatment is very intense... you should definitely consult a physician that is well schooled in the meds. he is taking... they could very well wash out certain nutrients that would normally be abundant. There may also be things that he has to watch for as far as interfering with his meds. That is just something that you need to speak to an immunologist about.
Good luck.
2007-09-06 04:43:09 · answer #6 · answered by SST 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Lots of fresh fruit and vegetables (obviously for vitamins) - but be careful that he isn't missing out on protein (essential for strength) good sources of protein in a vegetarians diet are nuts (not salted if poss), eggs and tofu.
Be aware that I am not in any way qualified as a health advisor this is just my opinion.
Your friend has my sympathy, please wish him well on my behalf xxx
2007-09-06 04:21:21 · answer #7 · answered by 地獄 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would strongly recommend a macrobiotic diet. It's mostly Asian based and is designed to heal. It is a mostly vegan diet, based on grains and vegetables. Absolutley no sugar, dairy or eggs. Some macrobiotics do eat fish on occasion, but it is not on a regular basis. Check out this page for a description of what macrobiotics is:
http://www.kushiinstitute.org/html/what_is_macro.html
I have a great recipe book written by Christina Pirello, who was healed of adult leukemia by eating a macrobiotic diet. It's called Eating the Whole Foods Way.
You can find a link to her website here:
http://www.peaceful-organic-planet.com/macrobiotic-recipes.html
Also check out this link:http://www.peaceful-organic-planet.com/macrobiotic.html
2007-09-06 05:08:41 · answer #8 · answered by kpaschke 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I would also like to see evidence supporting the vegan/vegetarian diet would be best for him....if I were you and concerned about my friends' health and well being, consult with his doctor or a dietitian.....it is imperative for him/her to have all that is necessary for good health
2007-09-06 04:24:48 · answer #9 · answered by jonni_hayes 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
ooo, thats a tough one, i would say be needs alot of iron, but i have no idea, i think you may have to get some professional help with this one
2007-09-06 04:28:53 · answer #10 · answered by Kruger, Freddy Kruger 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋