"Doctor, are there any restrictions in my diet because of my illness?"

This is a question that comes to your mind when you are told that you are suffering from an illness. One is always worried whether he is eating the right kind of food, now that he has been diagnosed as suffering from a particular disease.

We have listed a few common diseases and the dietary dos and don’ts.
Diabetes mellitus/ Obesity
Food not allowed: Sugar, Honey, Jaggery, Sweetened beverages, Pastries, Dry fruits, Nuts, Ice- creams, Sweets, Chocolates and Sweetmeats, Mangoes
Food restricted: Eggs, Fish, Meat, Chicken, Tea, Coffee, Papads, Pickles, Chutney, Bananas, Ripe beans, Potatoes, Sweet potatoes, Yam, Thick soups.
Freely allowed: Thin soups, Spinach, Cabbage, Lady’s fingers, Brinjals, Pumpkins, Onions, Carrots, Radish, Tomatoes, Unsweetened drinks like soda, barley water.

Underweight
Food freely allowed: Fats like oil, butter, ghee, cream, margarine, Potatoes, Sweet potatoes, Yam, Dried nuts and fruits, Cereals, Milk and its products like cheese and butter, Bread, Jam, Honey, Meat, Eggs, Gravy
The total calories should be more than the energy required. There should be a step-wise increase in the calories, as a sudden increase may not be tolerated. Fluids should be restricted before and during meals.Large quantities of fats should not be taken as they may produce diarrhoea, or flatulence and gastrointestinal upset. If taken before meals, they decrease the appetite.

Gout
Food not allowed: Beans, Peas, Brinjals, Lentils, Pulses, Spinach, Asparagus, Chickoo, Custard apple, Mushrooms, Yeast, Liver, Kidney, Fish, Fowl, Shellfish, Lobster, Anchovies, Meat extracts, Sweetbread
Food allowed: Eggs, Milk and Milk products, Sugar, Sweets, Cereals, Fruits and beverages like Tea and Coffee.
Increased intake of fluids will help in the removal of uric acid through the urine and prevent deposits in the kidney.
Alcohol should be avoided as it may precipitate an attack of gout.

Peptic ulcer
Food not allowed: Raw, leafy, uncooked resinous vegetables, Spices, Meat (soups and extracts), Pickles, Chutney, Vinegar, Alcohol, Tea, Coffee, Tobacco, Betel nut, Fried food
Food allowed: Milk and milk products, Fats like butter, cream, cheese, ghee, Potatoes, Cereals

Gall bladder disease
Food not allowed: Cheese, Potato chips and French fries, Fried eggs, Fat meat, Nuts, Dried fruits, Pastries, Apples, Melons, Peas, Beans, Cabbage, Radish, Cucumber, Turnip, Cauliflower, Chutney, Pickles, Spices

Constipation
Food necessary: Bananas, Figs, Apricots, Dates, Raisins, lots of Fluids, Lactose Food necessary: Bananas, Figs, Apricots, Dates, Raisins, lots of Fluids, Lactose

Diarrhoea and Dysentery
Food allowed: Rice and sago Kanji, Vegetable puree, Fruit juices esp. apple, pomegranate, and Salted biscuits
Food not allowed: Butter, Fat, Dried fruits, Nuts, Spices, Pulses, Pickles, Chutney. In children, wheat products and milk
Diarrhoea may result in loss of fluids and electrolytes. It is important to maintain the salt and fluid level of the body by giving adequate quantities of previously boiled and cooled water with salt and sugar.

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Food not allowed: Papad, Pickles, Chutney, Pastries, Salted biscuits, Meat, Fish, Chicken, Eggs, Extra salt or baking powder, Animal fats and Hydrogenated oil
Food allowed: Sago, Rice, Wheat, Sugar, Jelly, Nuts, Fruit juices, and Salt free butter