Question

I have type 1 diabetes and HIV. Should I change my diet?

28 August 2016. Related: All topics, Drug interactions, Newly diagnosed, Side effects, South Africa, Starting treatment.

I’m recently diagnosed with HIV and have started treatment. I am also diabetic type 1. so I’m about worried about my diet, should eat a lot and heavy food too in order to keep my physical strength where as on diabetic side its completely quite the opposite. I’m confused.

Answer

Answer: Muirgen Stack

Hi,

Thanks for your question. How are you handling your recent diagnosis? Do you have anyone supporting you?

It’s good that you are already on treatment as this will allow you to manage your HIV and diabetes better and balance when you need to take medications for both.

You don’t need to eat anything specifically for your HIV, just a balanced diet with lots of nutrition. This is probably the same diet you are used to for managing your diabetes.

Does your doctor know about your diabetes? It’s good for them to know so they can make sure your HIV meds won’t conflict with your diabetes as some ARVs are also implicated in causing increased blood glucose levels (more of an issue for type 2 diabetes).

Here is some more information on starting treatment that may also help.