Food is as important as medicine regime to be followed by a patient of Tuberculosis who has to follow instructions religiously to avoid Drug Resistant TB & to avoid Liver & Kidney Failure.

There are No special / expensive foods.

These items are pocket friendly and available all through the seasons in every part of India.

Even Treatment costs less than 20/- day if person opts for a private clinic & TB is detected in time.

Open cases need No Isolation but a bit of Care and love within homely surroundings.

Every Antibiotic/Drug/Toxic fatty foods are Harmful for Liver & Kidneys & This includes medicines for TB & Typhoid.

Liver generates Antioxidants to Cleanse the system of Toxins and Kidneys act like a filter to remove toxins from the body while retaining the Essentials.

The person being treated shows low appetite. 

There should be No forced feeding leading to Vomittings & Draining of resources of body which is already under threat.

We as Doctors Have to Highlight the importance of foods to be taken along with anti TB drugs & ask for Liver Function Tests at least once in a month.

If enzymes are high but on borderline, the medicines can continue provided care is taken about diet.

For Recovery , we need a high protein simple diet with easy to digest proteins -

1) Toned Milk and Curds

2) Eggs preferably boiled/poached but never semi fried as yellow of egg can contain bacteria like Salmonella ( Typhoid)

3) Clear Chicken soups minus cream for non vegetarians & Chick pea ( chane),soaked well & boiled,,clear liquid of boiled stuff for Vegetarians

4)Grains of choice as healthy carbohydrates to balance the intake of proteins.

Remember that proteins get digested better if combined in equal amounts with carbohydrates ,grains,rice,bread or boiled potatoes.

5)Vitamins and Minerals in natural form. 

Lots of seasonal vegetables and fruits according to constitution and capability to digest & appetite. 

No 5 if taken in excess will hamper the intakes of 1,2,3 & 4 as a feeling of fullness will set in

Maintain a Healthy Balance between 1,2,3,4 & 5 but take 6 in plenty. 

6) Water-Take as Much as person likes. 

Lots of toxins are generated through process of healing & toxins need to be flushed out by Kidneys.

There is no Upper Limit but intake of water should not be less than 6 L for a healthy adult.

Avoid every street food including Juices to avoid catching water borne diseases like Typhoid. Coconut water is allowed as it is a Covered Fruit Like Bananas,Oranges etc

Take every care to remove TB germs from the body , and make person healthy with No Stigma of TB.

Also Remember that Immunity being low,person suffering from TB can catch other infections like AIDS .

HIV testing is Mandatory for every case which is positive for TB & is being detected ,treated and cared for in a family.

Get basic tests like Chest X ray and CBC test for every family member who might be having germs but showing no effects of disease yet.

Catch them early to make India as TB free.