Healthy Eating When You're Sick

Nutrition tips to fight fatigue and boost strength.

By R. Morgan GriffinWebMD Feature
Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD

Healthy eating when you're sick is a challenge -- Diseases and their treatment can sap your appetite or leave you nauseated.


It's natural to let good nutrition slide when coping with an illness. But it's also dangerous. Everyone needs to get enough vitamins and nutrients. And that's truer than ever when you're sick.
By learning what to look for, and making smart choices, you can get the nutrition you need without a lot of extra effort.


Healthy Eating When You're Sick: Protein
When you're sick, dietitians agree that protein is key. "Protein is crucial for building and repairing cells," says Paula Charuhas, RD, nutrition education coordinator at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Protein can help you prevent the loss of muscle mass. It also helps maintain fluid balance and improves your body's ability to heal.
Some of the best sources of protein are obvious, Chicken, lean beef, fish, and lamb are all good. Eggs and cheese are also easily digestible forms of animal protein.


What if you're a vegetarian?
Good non-animal sources of protein are beans, soy products like tofu, and nuts. Adding more peanut butter or almond butter to your diet is one easy way of getting more protein.


Healthy Eating When You're Sick: Getting Enough Calories
When you're sick, you may need more calories than normal because your body is working harder. But just when you need to eat more, your appetite is gone. Unintentional weight loss can become serious. It can leave you exhausted, weak, and interfere with your treatment.


Healthy Eating When You're Sick: Fiber
Fiber is good for you both in the short and the long term. It helps keep you regular and prevents constipation. In the long run, it may lower the risk of intestinal problems, diabetes, and other diseases.


Healthy Eating When You're Sick: Supplements
Vitamins and minerals are important for health; calcium, potassium, and vitamins A, C, D and E are just a few of them.


Healthy Eating Goes Hand-in-Hand With Treatment
Your ability to eat healthy depends on how you feel when you're sick. If your symptoms -- such as pain or nausea -- are overwhelming, you won't be able to eat well no matter how much you want to.
"In order to improve your appetite, you need to control your symptoms and side effects.