HIV POSITIVE & Nutrition
Fatigue

Feeling tired is normal when you are sick. It is a sign that your body is working hard to fight off germs. Your body needs rest, but it also needs good food. Since it is hard to cook when you are tired, try these simple ideas:

  • Fix simple snacks, rather than meals, for yourself.

  • Let family or friends cook or bring you food. Don't be embarrassed to ask for their help. People like doing things for others.

  • Try take-out restaurants. Hamburgers, pizza, Mexican food, chicken and Chinese food can all be obtained this way. Some of them are quite low in cost.

  • Call a home food delivery service. Many large towns and cities have these. Look in the phone book for "Meals on Wheels." Call your county health department or local AIDS service organization for more information.

  • If you are going to spend the day in bed, put some favorite foods and drinks in a cooler with ice beside you. Then you can get your rest but not be without food. A food warmer or crock pot could be used in the same way to keep hot foods hot at your bedside.

  • Eat canned foods. Try creamed soups, spaghetti, chili, chow- mein and other things. They may not taste the greatest, but they'll get some food in your stomach. And if you eat a piece of fruit for dessert and drink a glass of milk or juice, you've got a balanced meal.

  • Eat frozen foods. Frozen dinners, pizza, egg rolls, macaroni and cheese, fried chicken and fish. Just pop them in the oven, and set a timer. Comeback after a little nap and you're ready to eat. Drink a glass of milk or juice, add a piece of toast or fruit.

  • Keep a stock of easy-to-prepare foods as suggested later in this section.

  • On days that you feel well cook extra food and freeze it in little plastic containers. You'll be grateful to have these to heat up on days that you are tired.

  • Make as few dirty dishes as possible. Use paper cups and dishes, cook in the foil pans that frozen food comes in.

Go to the Eating Problems Menu

Go to the Peggy A. Wickwire, M.S., R.D. Menu

Go to the HIV & Nutrition Menu

Go to the HIVpositive.us Main Menu














39