Adults With Recurrent Infections
Diet & Foods to Avoid
Diet & Foods to Avoid
Hydration: Drink 2.5 to 3 liters of water. Add a squeeze of lemon or a few Tulsi leaves to your water bottle for an extra detox effect.
The "Sunset" Rule: Try to finish dinner by 7:30 or 8:00 PM. Late-night eating diverts the body's energy to digestion instead of repair and immunity building while you sleep.
Keep a mix of Pumpkin seeds (high in Zinc) and Sunflower seeds (Vitamin E) at your desk. Eat 1 tablespoon daily as a snack.
Cook Fresh: Try to eat freshly cooked meals. Food that is "Alive" (fresh) gives life; dead food (processed/frozen) drains energy.
Foods to Avoid
The objective is to remove "immune suppressors" and foods that create toxins (Ama) in the gut.
Immune Suppressors:
Refined Sugar: High sugar intake temporarily paralyzes white blood cells, reducing their ability to kill germs. Minimize sweets, sugary tea, and sodas.
Maida (Refined Flour): Foods like naan, white bread, and pasta clog the gut and promote the growth of bad bacteria.
Inflammatory Fats:
Trans Fats: Avoid "Vanaspati" and cheap vegetable oils found in roadside snacks (samosas, vadas). These increase inflammation, keeping the immune system distracted.
Leftovers (Baasi Khana):
Avoid eating food cooked more than 24 hours ago. Reheated food creates toxins and lacks essential nutrients ("Prana") needed for cell repair.
Alcohol & Smoking:
Alcohol dehydrates the body and destroys the gut lining, which is the first line of defense against pathogens. Limit or eliminate it.
Focus on Zinc, Vitamin C, and Probiotics to arm your immune system.
Superfoods:
Amla (Indian Gooseberry): The richest natural source of Vitamin C. One Amla a day (raw, juice, or pickle) is more effective than expensive supplements.
Moringa (Drumstick): The leaves and pods are packed with vitamins. Add drumsticks to Sambhar or make a soup from the leaves.
Immune-Boosting Proteins:
Dals & Pulses: Green Moong Dal is the easiest to digest and great for recovery.
Eggs & Fish: Excellent sources of Zinc and Omega-3 fatty acids, which regulate the immune response.
Prebiotics & Probiotics:
Homemade Curd (Dahi): Essential for gut health.
Garlic & Onion: Use them generously. Crushed raw garlic produces allicin, a compound with potent antimicrobial properties.
Lightness:
If you feel heavy or are falling sick, do not force-feed yourself. Switch to eating light soups, Moong Dal Khichdi, or fasting for a meal to let the body burn off toxins.
Viruddha Ahara (Incompatible Foods):
Ayurveda strictly warns against combining Milk with Fish, Milk with Sour Fruits, or Curd with Non-Veg. These combinations are believed to create toxins that confuse the immune system.
Haldi Doodh:
Drink warm milk with Turmeric and a pinch of Black Pepper at night. The pepper increases the absorption of curcumin
Hot Water:
Sipping hot water throughout the day acts as a solvent for toxins, flushing them out and keeping the throat clear.
Ginger:
Eat a small slice of fresh ginger with a pinch of rock salt (Sendha Namak) just before lunch to ignite your digestion and burn tox
This diet advice is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical consultation.