HIV POSITIVE & Nutrition
The Right Food Can Help with Eating Problems

Being infected with HIV can make it hard for you to eat sometimes. This is very common. You may be unable to digest certain foods that you used to eat all the time. The medicines you take may make you feel sick to your stomach. You may have infections in your mouth which hurt when you swallow. You may just feel too tired to eat. And you may worry a lot because you know you should eat, no matter how you feel.

The good news is that there are certain foods that can help you feel better when you are having these problems. This section will provide you with ideas of what to eat when you are having problems with:

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea & Vomiting
  • Ulcers in the Mouth/Painful Swallowing
  • Dry Mouth
  • Weight Loss
  • Poor Appetite
  • Fatigue

CAUTION: Some of the eating hints that are given for one of these problems may conflict with hints that are given for another of the problems. For example, one hint for gaining weight is to put gravy, butter or creamy sauces on your food. If you have diarrhea, however, the gravy, butter or sauce could make it worse.

If you are having more than one of the individual problems listed above, be sure to read the information in all of the sections that apply. Avoid eating foods which either section tells you might be harmful. Your doctor or dietitian can also help you sort out the differences.

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