HIV/AIDS

Strengthen immune system, maintain healthy weight and improve medication absorption

Recommended For

AIDS, Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, HIV, Human immunodeficiency virus.

Diet Goals

Increased nutrients; food safety

  • Focus on protein, healthy fats, fiber
  • Ensure meeting higher nutrient demands
  • Follow food safety rules with weakened immune system
The HIV virus attacks the immune system, so the diet goals are to maintain strength and to ensure food safety with a weakened immune system.

Food Recommendations

Foods to Eat

Nuts, Seeds: Chia seeds, flax, pepitas, almonds, walnuts
Lean proteins: Poultry, white fish, low fat yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese, tofu, beans
Beans, Legumes: Lentils, soy, black beans, peas, chickpeas
Low fat dairy: Skim, 1% milk, yogurt, cheeses, buttermilk
Whole grains: Whole wheat bread & pasta, oatmeal, popcorn, quinoa, brown rice
Fruits, Vegetables: Berries, avocado, leafy greens, carrots

Foods to Avoid

Saturated fats: Beef, lamb, pork, full fat dairy, butter, pastry, pie, biscuits
Soft cheese: Feta, brie, blue veined, queso, camembert
Foodborne illness: Unpasteurized juices, dairy products; raw or under cooked meat
Food safety: Raw, undercooked meat, fish, eggs; unwashed fruit, veggies
Bacterial contamination risk: Hot dogs, lunch meat, deli meat
High sugar: Fruit yogurt, granola, energy bars; raisins, ketchup, pasta sauce

Diet Rules

Additional Information

Research

Calorie requirements to maintain weight and activity in asymptomatic HIV increase by 10%; in symptomatic HIV, by 20-30%.
Studies find nutritional deficiencies associated with poor immune function, more rapid disease progression; replenishing these nutrients can improve outcomes.
HIV nutrition management required to decrease risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, anemia and osteoporosis associated with HIV and ART.

Caveats

The immune system in HIV/AIDS is always fighting to get rid of the virus; creates chronic inflammation which is associated with long term health risks.
Food safety with weakened immune system; avoid raw eggs, meats, seafood; wash fruits & vegetables carefully, use boiled or bottled water for drinking and cooking.
Weight gain > 5% over first 6 months of antiretroviral therapy (ART), especially big trunk, thin legs, can increase the likelihood of heart disease and diabetes later; discuss with MD.
Discuss any vitamins or supplements with MD due to potential drug interactions.

References

HIV/AIDS Evidence Based Nutrition Practice Guideline Executive Summary of Recommendations. (2010). Academy of Nutrition. https://aplahealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/HCC-AND-HIV-Nutri-Gdln-Recs-2010-with-Algorithm.pdf
Adizie, T., Hodkinson, B., French, N., & Adebajo, A. (2016). Inflammatory arthritis in HIV positive patients: A practical guide. NIH, National Library of Medicine, BMC Infectious Diseases. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4774153/
As HIV patients live longer, heart disease might be their next challenge. (2019). American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2019/06/03/as-hiv-patients-live-longer-heart-disease-might-be-their-next-challenge
CDC. (2023). Travelers Health/Search Results. CDC Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel. https://search.cdc.gov/search/?query=Hepatitis%20G&siteLimit=wwwnc.cdc.gov%2Ftravel%2F&dpage=1
Cheung MS RD Nutritionist, P., Gonzalez RD Nutritionist, M., Trepal MS RD CDN Nutritionist, E., & Zullig MS RD CDN, L. (n.d.). Eating Tips: A Nutrition Guide for People Living with HIV/AIDS. New York State Department of Health. Retrieved January 17, 2022, from https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/0151.pdf
de Pee, S., & Semba, R. (2010). Role of nutrition in HIV infection: Review of evidence for more effective programming in resource-limited settings. Food. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/15648265100314S403
Ellis MS, E. (2021). Nutrition Tips to Keep the Immune System Strong for People with HIV AIDS. Academy of Nutrition. https://www.eatright.org/health/health-conditions/hiv-aids/nutrition-tips-to-keep-the-immune-system-strong-for-people-with-hiv-aids
Enwereji, E., Ezeama, M., & Onyemachi, P. (2019). Basic Principles of Nutrition, HIV and AIDS: Making Improvements in Diet to Enhance Health. IntechOpen Limited. DOI:%2010.5772/intechopen.84719
Eveland MD, J. (2015). The Low-Down on Inflammation from an HIV Doctor. San Francisco AIDS Foundation. https://www.sfaf.org/collections/beta/the-low-down-on-inflammation-from-an-hiv-doctor/
Your Gateway to Food Safety Information. (2023). FoodSafety.gov. https://www.foodsafety.gov/
Gebremikael, M., Konings, E., & Roberts, C. (2018). Identifying and Treating Gestational Diabetes Among Women Living with HIV in Ethiopia. MATERNAL HEALTH TASK FORCE, Harvard Chan School. https://www.mhtf.org/2018/02/27/identifying-and-treating-gestational-diabetes-among-women-living-with-hiv-in-ethiopia/
HIV and High Cholesterol. (2021). HIVinfo@NIH.gov. https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/hiv-and-high-cholesterol
Klemm RDN, S. (2020). Nutrition Tips to Keep the Immune System Strong for People with HIV-AIDS. Eat Right. Academy of Nutrition. https://www.eatright.org/health/diseases-and-conditions/hiv-aids/nutrition-tips-to-keep-the-immune-system-strong-for-people-with-hiv-aids
HIV and Nutrition and Food Safety. (2021). National Institutes of Health. https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/hiv-and-nutrition-and-food-safety
Pee, S., & Semba, R. (2010). Role of nutrition in HIV infection: Review of evidence for more effective programming in resource-limited settings. Sage Journals. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/15648265100314S403
Nutrition and Exercise. (n.d.). U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved January 21, 2022, from https://www.hiv.va.gov/patient/daily/diet/index.asp
Food Safety for Older Adults and People with Cancer, Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Organ Transplants, and Autoimmune Diseases. (2022). U.S. Food. https://www.fda.gov/food/people-risk-foodborne-illness/food-safety-older-adults-and-people-cancer-diabetes-hivaids-organ-transplants-and-autoimmune
Nutrition and Exercise. (n.d.). US Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved June 27, 2023, from https://www.hiv.va.gov/patient/daily/diet/index.asp
Volny-Anne, A. (2020). US study shows an increased risk of dementia in men ageing with HIV. NAM/Aidsmap. https://www.aidsmap.com/news/sep-2020/us-study-shows-increased-risk-dementia-men-ageing-hiv
West, M. (2021). The role of nutrition and diet in HIV and AIDS. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/hiv-aids-nutrition-and-diet
Nutrient requirements for people living with HIV/AIDS. (n.d.). World Health Organization. Retrieved January 29, 2022, from https://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/Content_nutrient_requirements.pdf