A good diet

Having HIV is unlikely to mean that that you have to make any drastic changes to your diet - your existing diet will probably meet all your nutritional needs. A good diet will consist of a balance of the following items:

Starchy food such as bread, cassava, cereals, banana, millet, maizemeal, potatoes, pasta, rice, and yam. Starchy foods should form the basis of your diet, and will provide carbohydrates for energy as well as vitamins, minerals and fibre. You should eat starchy food at every meal, and have four to six portions each day. A portion is equal to one slice of bread, one medium potato, a bowl of cereal or a cup of rice or pasta.

Fruit and vegetables provide vitamins, minerals, fibre and energy. You should eat five portions a day. A portion is equal to a whole piece of fruit, a heaped serving spoon of vegetables, a small glass of fruit juice, or a handful of dried fruit.

Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans and nuts provide protein, minerals, and vitamins. Try and eat two or three portions per day. A portion is equal to two medium-sized eggs, a 100g piece of meat, a 150g piece of fish or a small can of baked beans.

Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yoghurt provide vitamins, minerals and calcium. Three portions should be eaten per day. A portion is equal to a third of a pint of milk, a small pot of yoghurt or a matchbox-sized piece of cheese.

Fats such cooking oils, butter, margarine, meat and other protein-based foods provide energy, essential fatty acids and the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. They also provide calcium and phosphate. It is recommended that no more than a third of your daily calorie intake should come from fats.  Eating too much fat can lead to weight gain and increased levels of blood fats. This can increase your chance of developing cardiovascular disease and some cancers.