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Diet & Nutrition

Most people live to eat. I eat to live a quality life as a Porphyric.

Changing ones eating habits could be perceived as a hostile action, often a Porphyric will show signs of anxiety, defending their right to eat whatever they want, cramming ones face with cake, chocolate or biscuits, sometimes in secret, emitting behavior akin to rebelliousness. Change can be daunting for most of us, to embrace change we have to lose our old habits, acknowledge the grief of the loss and work through the 5 – 7 stages of mourning;

1. Denial and Isolation
2. Anger
3. Bargaining
4. Depression
5. Acceptance

Changing ones eating habits takes a long time or a “radical event” to motivate us.
Because a “radical event” in the Porphyrics’ life could mean entering a world of physical torture, outside judgment and personal frustration, go easy, start slowly by taking small steps, over time it will become second nature.
(It ook me 2 years - Aletta Longari)

Porphyria patients are very well aware that food plays a massive role in how they cope with their Porphyria, and this topic is growing more popular amongst support groups.

One glance at the food section in the “All Triggers Recorded” document, is enough to send one into despair, however take heart, there are lots you can eat. educate yourself on food groups and it wont seem so scary.
Whilst reading this, keep an open mind, one can become enthralled by the variety of fresh produce with new interest. Soon you will find your fears have been replaced with a determination to read labels and research ingredients!

We kill our food with oils, butter, cream, cheese, sugar and condiments, and the way we cook our food. The term “eating clean” will be the nucleus, what it means is that we strip right down to basics, and get re-acquainted with the bare joys of un-altered tastes of fresh produce, trying out new recipes and ways of cooking You will be pleasantly surprised!

Porphyria, Portion Control & Diet

Food and Nutrition - what you should know. By Aletta Longari

An example of these foods are;

• Brussels sprouts,
• Broccoli,
• Red grapes
• Cabbage
• Red plums
• Prunes

It is vitally important that A Porphyric must Not Skip Meals!
It is vital that one consumes sufficient good carbohydrates, although there are some schools of thought that consumption of carbohydrates do not play such an important role, there is sufficient evidence based on many members of the SAPF that carbohydrate intake can starve off a pending acute attack.
The stress that is placed on the body, lack of glucose and dehydration could trigger an acute Porphyria attack.

Cooking Methods:
Steer clear of certain cooking methods, foods such as deep fried foods, crumbed foods or pan fried foods: (French fries, potato crisps.
These will not help you maintain an ideal weight, and can cause weight gain.
It is also important to mention here that our beloved South African “Braai” (open fire cooking) can play havoc on a Porphyrics’ digestive system, as the charred bits can contribute to or act as an trigger.

Stay clear from:
• Deep fried foods,
• Crumbed foods,
• Pan fried foods,
• Braai / open fire / barbequed foods,

Basic Diet Rules For Porphyrics

There are a few foods that could inflame Porphyria: These are called “Porphyrinogenic foods” which contain chemicals that stimulate heme synthesis, thus aggravating the condition.

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NPO Registration No 266-465

Porphyria Awareness Week

Diet & Nutrition

Porphyria, Portion Control & Diet

Basic Diet Rules For Porphyrics

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