Here are some ideas to help you meet the food requirements for your antiretroviral therapy. If your medication should be taken on or with:

• An empty stomach – Take your medication either 1 hour before meals, OR 2 hours after meals.
• Lots of water – Fill a one litre bottle with water each morning and sip from it all day.
• Food – If you have trouble eating full meals, try a snack or some fresh fruit and vegetables. You can also ask a dietician in case you want to try a can of Ensure, Advera or other meal supplements.
• Low-fat snacks – Some suggestions include: plain toast with jam, an apple and a glass of skim milk, cereal and skim milk, low fat pretzels, crackers, or plain popcorn.
• Fatty foods – Try the following: crackers with cheese, egg on toast, bagel and cream cheese, potato chips, baked potato with sour cream, a donut, a chocolate bar, a hamburger, pizza, French fries, peanut butter, ice cream.
• Acidic Beverages – Drink a cola (diet or non-diet) carbonated beverage, or a glass of orange, cranberry or apple juice.
• Grapefruit – Have half a grapefruit, or a glass of grapefruit juice (can be fresh or made from frozen concentrate).