Back to HIV Aids Centre

Useful Links & Surveys

Antenatal survey 2009

HIV prevalence and related factors : Higher Education Sector Study : South Africa 2008–2009

HIV survey 2008

Nutritional Info & Health Tips

Health Tips

Nutrition and HIV
1. You need food for energy (carbohydrates or starched). Examples: potatoes, seeds, nuts, mielies, porridge, noodles, bread, rice
2.  You need food to build your body  and immune system (proteins). Examples: eggs, meat, beans+rice, milk, cheese
3.  You need foods to give you vitamins and minerals. This comes from fresh fruits and vegetables. Examples: particularly good for you are spinach, paw-paw, butternut squash, citrus fruits, bananas, carrots. Cabbage can be filling, but does not provide much nutrition.Might want to avoid:

  • Fried Food is difficult for the stomach to digest and can lead to excess gain of fat (not good) rather than gaining lean muscle mass (good). Eating too much grease in your diet can also lead to diarrhea.
  • Sugar encourages oral thrush to grow in your mouth. Brushing your teeth after every meal, especially after sweets is important. Sugar is also high in “empty” calories and so does not add too good nutrition.
  • Spicy Foods can irritate the stomach and worsen gastritis and heartburn.

Information courtesy of iTeAch

Information courtesy of the Department of Health

Name Benefits How to use Caution
African Potato Strengthen the immune system. Add half a teaspoon in a half a cup of warm (not boiling) water. Use limited amounts and not for more than three months.
AloeVera Relieves constipation, soothing and healing of wounds. Use as extract from chopped leaf; boil and drink the concentrated water.  Apply fresh gel to wounds. Use limited amounts for a maximum of 10 days. May cause diarrhea, Avoid in pregnancy.
Chamomile Relieves nausea.  Aids digestion. Stimulates appetite. Soothing harmless sedative.  Anti-inflammatory. Antiseptic. Make tea-one teaspoon dry flowers or leaves to a cup of boiling water and drink three times a day.  Steam inhalation for inflamed mucous membranes of the head and throat.
Tea made from lemon leaves & guava leaves Used to treat sore throat and cough.