Dengue has become a global challenge, affecting a huge number of the population every year. It is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the dengue virus injected into the human body via a bite from an infected mosquito. The virus can cause blood platelets to drop and can even damage the blood vessels.
Recovering from any fever requires a lot of energy and patience, but recovering from dengue fever takes it to another level, leaving one feeling weak and lacking in appetite. However, what a patient eats plays a crucial role in their recovery, influencing their progress. The right food diet for dengue patients can help in fast recovery, relieving them from symptoms and giving them extra relief along with the medication. On the other hand, the wrong dengue diet can have the complete opposite effect.
So, if you are someone diagnosed with dengue fever, here are some foods to eat and avoid in dengue to ensure a smoother and faster path to getting back on your feet.
Foods to Eat in Dengue Fever
While there is no specific dengue diet, there are some foods, such as fruits and vegetables that can help in recovery and boost one’s immunity. Here are the best foods for dengue fever:
- Food Rich in Vitamin C
Among all the vitamins and minerals, vitamin C is the most crucial element for recovering from Dengue. Known for its anti-viral and anti-oxidative properties, incorporating vitamin C in a diet for dengue fever can help strengthen the patient’s immune system. There are certain vegetables and fruits for dengue that are good sources of vitamin C and can be included in a dengue diet: -
- Orange
- Lemon
- Papaya
- Grapefruit
- Pineapple
- Kiwi
- Bell peppers
- Broccoli
- Leafy green vegetables
It’s also important to note that papaya leaves are considered among the best foods to increase platelet count in dengue fever. It is typically advised to consume these leaves in the form of juice.
- Food Rich in Iron
Platelet count dropping is a common problem in dengue fever. These platelets are vital in the blood clotting process of our body and hence it is important to prevent blood loss, which is quite common during dengue. To maintain a patient’s haemoglobin levels and produce platelets, one needs to consume iron-rich food in dengue treatment.
Some iron-rich foods to increase platelet count in dengue fever include:
- Red meat
- Pomegranate
- Beans
- Lentils
- Beef
- Leafy greens like spinach
Food Rich in Vitamin K
Vitamin K plays a crucial role in blood clotting, which is essential for managing the bleeding and bruising associated with dengue fever. Some foods to eat in dengue fever that are good sources of vitamin K include:
- Leafy green vegetables (kale, spinach, collard greens)
- Broccoli
- Sprouts
- Soybeans
- Avocado
- Kiwi
High Calories Food
During the recovery process, it's important to consume enough calories to support the body's energy needs. Some high-calorie, nutrient-dense foods to include in a dengue fever diet are:
- Nuts and nut butter
- Avocado
- Coconut milk
- Oily fish (salmon, mackerel)
- Whole grains (quinoa, rice, brown rice)
Fluids
Water is essential for those recovering from dengue fever as the illness can lead to dehydration, making it crucial to include fluids in a food diet for dengue patients. Some fluids that can be included in a dengue fever patient's diet are:
- Coconut water
- Herbal tea
- Vegetable juice
- Soup
- Papaya leaves juice
Foods to Avoid During Dengue Fever
While focusing on a nutrient-rich after-dengue diet is crucial for full recovery, there are also certain foods and beverages that should be limited or avoided. Some of the foods to avoid during dengue fever include:
- Dark Coloured Foods
Dark-coloured food, especially red and brown-coloured food or drinks should be excluded from the food diet for dengue patients. Food like chocolate, red or violet-coloured juices, and foods that resemble blood can mislead doctors by imparting colour to vomit, stool, or urine, potentially masking important disease progression signs.
- Caffeinated Beverages
Caffeinated beverages act as a diuretic, causing the body to lose water through urine. And since the body needs to stay hydrated during dengue, caffeinated beverages should be excluded from the dengue fever patient’s diet.
- Spicy Food
Spicy food during dengue can stimulate the stomach to produce acid. This acid may end up irritating the walls of the stomach and can cause bleeding. That’s why, it’s essential to exclude spicy food from diet plans for dengue patients and only provide them with a soft, bland diet.
- Fatty Foods
Foods high in fat, such as cheese, fatty meat cuts, butter, deep-fried foods, and avocado, should be avoided from a dengue fever diet. These can be difficult to digest and may worsen symptoms.
Diet chart for Dengue Fever
By knowing the right food to eat and avoid during dengue recovery, one can easily create a well-balanced dengue fever diet that helps them in recovery and boost their immune system. Here is an example or sample of a dengue fever diet chart for someone with dengue: -
- Breakfast: Idli with Sambar or Vegetable Upma (semolina porridge)
- Mid-morning: Coconut water or fruits, such as apples, banana, oranges, etc
- Lunch: Rice, daal, and cooked vegetables
- Evening Snack: Boiled egg or fruit
- Dinner: Roti (Flatbread) with vegetable curry and salad
Ultimately, with proper medication and by incorporating the best food for dengue fever, one can easily aid their recovery and feel more energised. Lastly, it’s important to remember that dengue is a fatal disease. So, if someone experiences any symptoms, they should see their doctor immediately.




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