What to eat when you have a virus

During the virus, it is important to eat easily digestible foods, such as white rice, white bread and tapioca, as well as cooked and peeled fruits and vegetables, such as apples, pears, chayote and zucchini.

Furthermore, it is also important to avoid foods rich in fiber, such as whole grains, raw and unpeeled fruits and vegetables, and foods rich in fat, such as fried foods and fast food, as they are difficult to digest and can stimulate bowel movements, causing discomfort and diarrhea.

Virosis is a condition caused by a virus, which can cause respiratory infections or gastroenteritis in adults and children, causing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, cramps and fever. Learn about the main types and symptoms of the virus.

Recommended foods

Foods recommended during the virus should be low in fiber and low in fat, such as:

• Cereals with little fiber, such as rice, white, corn flour, white bread and white pasta;
• Fruits, such as apple, pear, banana, guava, peach and melon, preferably without skin and seeds, and cooked;
• Legumes, such as carrots, pumpkin, chayote, green beans and zucchini, preferably without the skin and well cooked;
• Low-fat proteins, such as skinless chicken, white fish, turkey and tofu;
• Tubers, such as potatoes, cassava, yams, yams and tapioca;
• Lactose-free dairy products, such as lactose-free milk, lactose-free yogurt and lactose-free cheeses;
• Vegetable drinks, such as rice, soy, oat or almond milk;
• Water, which must be divided into small amounts throughout the day, to avoid dehydration.

Furthermore, some teas such as chamomile, ginger and fennel can also be consumed during the diet, as they help to relieve nausea and vomiting. Discover other tea options to relieve nausea and vomiting.

It is also recommended to eat 5 to 6 meals a day, divided into small portions, to facilitate food digestion, avoiding nausea and vomiting.

What to eat in cases of vomiting

In cases of vomiting, it is recommended to avoid eating and drinking for 1 hour and then try drinking small amounts of water. Once your body tolerates the water, you can try eating small portions of food little by little.

3-day menu for viruses

The following table contains an example of a 3-day menu to treat the virus:

This menu is just a model, where the quantities and types of food may vary according to the age, sex, weight and health status of each person. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a nutritionist for an assessment to be carried out. Complete and plan a diet according to individual needs.

Foods that should be avoided

Foods that should be avoided during the virus are mainly those containing difficult-to-digest fiber, lactose and foods rich in fat, such as:

• Laxative fruits, such as papaya, orange, plum, avocado, fig and kiwi;
• Dry fruits, such as raisins, dried apricots or dates;
• Seeds and oilseedssuch as chia, pumpkin seeds, walnuts and peanuts;
• leafy vegetables, such as arugula, lettuce, spinach, kale, chard and chicory;
• Dairy products with lactose, such as yogurt with lactose, milk with lactose, cheese with lactose and butter with lactose;
• Foods rich in fat, such as ice cream, fries, hamburgers, pizza and packaged snacks;
• Sulfur-rich foods, such as broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, leeks, onions, radishes, garlic, turnips and Brussels sprouts, beans and eggs;
• Built-ins, such as sausage, sausage, mortadella, salami and ham;
• Ready-made sauces and seasonings, such as ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard and soy sauce;
• condiments, such as pepper, curry, paprika and cumin;
• Proteins with a lot of fat, such as bacon, picanha, lamb, duck meat and pork;
• sweet foods, such as honey, sugar, cakes, stuffed cookies, chocolates, soft drinks and processed juices;
• Caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, black tea, green tea and mate tea;

Furthermore, natural fruit juices should also be avoided, as they contain a lot of fructose, a type of carbohydrate that stimulates intestinal contraction, worsening diarrhea.

What to eat after the virus

After the virus, it is important to return to a balanced and varied diet, gradually including other types of food in the diet, such as all fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products. See other tips for resuming a balanced diet