A diet for dengue patients should ideally be made up of sources of protein, vitamin C, iron and other nutrients. Dengue patients are advised to eat fruits, vegetables and lean proteins, which can help prevent anemia and strengthen the immune system.

It is also recommended to avoid foods that can worsen symptoms and hinder recovery from dengue fever, such as fried foods, fast food, and processed meats, as well as foods that cause gas, such as beans, chickpeas, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lentils and sweet potatoes.

A body that is well-nourished is better-equipped to combat a dengue infection. Therefore, it is important to eat frequently, rest and drink at least 3L (about 12 cups) of fluid a day.

What to eat

When treating dengue, you should eat foods like:

Fruits, such as apples, green bananas, pears, guavas, cherries, pineapples and lemons, all without the peel, seeds and pulp, when possible to be easier digested
Low-fiber grains, such as white rice, white bread and white pasta
Lean proteins, such as chicken, eggs, turkey, tofu, fish and lean cuts of beef, such as muscle, rump and flank steak
Vegetables, preferably peeled and cooked, such as zucchini, tomatoes, chayote, carrots, pumpkin, beets and eggplant
Tubers, such as cassava, potatoes, yams, and taro
Low-fat dairy products, such as skim milk, white cheeses and skim yogurt
Plant-based milks, such as soy, rice, almond and oat milk
Beverages, such as water, coconut water and natural fruit juices.

These foods are rich in protein, vitamin C and iron, which are nutrients that are necessary to increase platelet levels, as they tend to drop with dengue infections. These foods are also low in fiber, which can help make digestion easier and treat nausea and diarrhea.

In addition, some teas, like chamomile and peppermint tea, may also be beneficial in managing dengue-related symptoms, like nausea, headache and body aches.

Some studies ^{[1] [2] [3]} show that supplementing with vitamin D may also help to strengthen the immune system to combat a dengue infection. Vitamin D contains an immunomodulador effect, as does vitamin E (which has antioxidant action that protects immune system cells).

Foods to avoid

Foods to avoid during dengue treatment include:

High-fat foods, such as fried foods, nuggets, pizza, hamburgers and fast food meals
High-fat dairy products, such as whole milk, yellow cheeses, butter and cream
Laxative fruits, such as oranges, papaya, avocado, kiwi, figs and ripe bananas
Seeds, such as walnuts, chestnuts, peanuts and hazelnuts
Whole grains, such as brown rice, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat bread and oats
Leafy vegetables, such as lettuce, arugula, kale, spinach, chard, Swiss chard and watercress
Foods that cause gas, such as beans, radishes, chickpeas, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lentils, sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts
Fatty cuts of meat, such as bacon, lamb, and pork,
Processed foods, such as ketchup, mayonnaise, soda, ice cream, packaged biscuits, ready-made sauces and instant noodles
Some seasonings, such as pepper, curry, garlic, cinnamon, wasabi, chili and onion
Processed meats, such as sausage, ham, salami, pork sausage and mortadella;
High-sugar foods, such as table sugar, jelly, chocolate, cake, processed juices, dried fruits and fruits in syrup;
Carbonated drinks, such as sparkling wine, soft drinks and sparkling water;
Caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, green tea, mate and black tea;
Alcohol, like wine, beer and liquor

These foods should be avoided because they can make digestion more difficult, and cause excess gas, increase dehydration or worsen diarrhea.

3-day dengue diet plan

Here is an example of a dengue meal plan that promotes a speedy recovery:

	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Breakfast	1 cup of peppermint tea + 1 scrambled egg + 1 slice of bread	1 cup of chamomile 2 + 1 slice of whole wheat toast + 2 slices of white cheese	1 cup of plant-based milk + 1 omelet with 2 eggs
Morning snack	1 natural skim yogurt + + ½ unripe banana	1 peeled apple	1 peeled pear
Lunch	Stewed chicken thigh + 3 tablespoons of rice + 3 tablespoons of cooked carrots and squash	Grilled fish + 3 tablespoons of pumpkin puree + 3 tablespoons of boiled beets	1 omelet with spinach + 3 tablespoons of cooked sweet potato + 3 tablespoons of stewed eggplant
Afternoon snack	1 cooked pear	1 serving of unsweetened jello	2 cream crackers + 2 slices of ricotta cheese + 1 cup of lemongrass tea
Dinner	1 stewed fish fillet + 3 tablespoons of mashed potatoes + 2 tablespoons of stewed carrots	1 cup of pasta with homemade tomato sauce + 1 grilled chicken breast + 4 tablespoons of boiled squash	1 serving of soup made with pumpkin, celery, chayote, carrots and protein (beef, tofu or chicken)

The types and quantities of foods outlined in this meal plan can vary depending on the patient's age and general health status. Therefore, you are advised to consult a registered dietitian for a thorough assessment and nutrition plan.