Renna, who lives with sickle cell disease, sits smiling at a table with other people.

Eating well with sickle cell disease

Eating well with sickle cell disease

With a lifelong disease such as sickle cell disease, it is especially important that you take good care of yourself. Your body may need more energy to deal with the challenges of your disease.1 One simple way of increasing your energy levels is through proper nutrition.1

Here, you will receive nutritional recommendations specifically designed for people with sickle cell disease.

Collage of three pictures of people with sickle cell disease. Renna listens attentively to a conversation, Clementin talks and John laughs.
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Energy-rich foods

Your body needs lots of energy, as it is hard work dealing with the sickle-shaped, mutated red blood cells.1,2 For this reason, you need, among other things, more protein than healthy people.1,2 You should therefore make sure that you are eating enough. Talk to your treatment team if you feel that you are not getting enough energy from your diet.

What foods are suitable for people with sickle cell disease? Foods with high-quality protein content and high energy content are important.1,3

Animal products such as poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products are good sources of protein.4 If you are vegan or prefer a vegetable-rich diet, nuts, pulses and oats are good alternatives.4 Healthy carbohydrate sources such as wholegrain products, vegetables and fruit also supply the required energy.5

A healthy diet

A healthy diet can be delicious. Find out which healthy foods you enjoy. It is also recommended that fast food, red meat and processed foods be eaten only in moderation.6

Giuseppe and John are sitting at a table with cups and a fruit basket on it, smiling at the camera.

Tips for a balanced diet

    People with sickle cell disease are at increased risk of a pain crisis if they do not drink enough.7 You should therefore make sure that you drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.7

      Fibre refers to indigestible fibres in plant-based foods, which help your body to stay full for longer, prevent constipation and maintain a healthy gut microbiome.8 Fibre-rich foods include wholegrain products, fruit, vegetables, beans and pulses.8

        If agreed with your doctor, it can also be helpful to take dietary supplements in addition to maintaining a healthy, balanced diet, as people with sickle cell disease often have fewer vitamins and minerals in their blood.1,9 For example, they may have low levels of vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin E, vitamin D, folic acid and zinc.1

        Many people with sickle cell disease also find herbal dietary supplements particularly beneficial.7 Talk to your treatment team about your options.

          Did you know that your gut health influences your general wellbeing?10 Looking after your gut health can therefore have many advantages.10

          As you would expect, a healthy, balanced diet is important for your gut health.1 Probiotics can also be good for your gut.1,10 These are formulations made from live microorganisms such as lactic acid bacteria or yeasts.10-12 Probiotic foods include yoghurt, sauerkraut or fermented fruit. These foods can help to support your digestive and immune systems.1,11,12 During treatment with antibiotics, probiotics can support your gut microbiome.10 Talk to your doctor and find out whether probiotics could also be useful for you.

          Support and additional tips

          What you eat can have a significant impact on your sickle cell disease.1

          Talk to your doctor or a nutritionist; they will be able to provide you with tips and a personalised nutrition plan.

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          Resource hub:
          • Top tips for self-management
          • Your wellbeing diary
          • Set targets that work for you
          • Get the most out of your medical appointments
            1. Umeakunne K and Hibbert JM. Nutr Diet Suppl 2019;11:9–17. https://www.dovepress.com/nutrition-in-sickle-cell-disease-recent-insights-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-NDS. Last accessed: 18.09.2023.
            2. Hyacinth HI et al. J Soc Behav Health Sci 2013;7(1):10.5590/JSBHS.2013.07.1.02. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3848498/. Last accessed: 18.09.2023.
            3. Hyacinth H et al. Nutr Metab Insights 2010;3:57–67. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3085005/. Last accessed: 18.09.2023.
            4. https://www.eufic.org/en/whats-in-food/article/what-are-proteins-and-what-is-their-function-in-the-body. Last accessed: 18.09.2023.
            5. https://www.eufic.org/en/whats-in-food/article/are-carbohydrates-good-or-bad-for-you. Last accessed: 18.09.2023.
            6. https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/healthu/2021/11/18/worst-foods-to-eat-for-your-health. Last accessed: 18.09.2023.
            7. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sickle-cell-disease/living-with/. Last accessed: 18.09.2023.
            8. https://www.eufic.org/en/whats-in-food/article/what-is-dietary-fibre-and-is-it-beneficial. Last accessed: 18.09.2023.
            9. Hasanato RM. Ann Saudi Med 2006;26(1):17–21. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6078551/. Last accessed: 18.09.2023.
            10. https://www.eufic.org/en/healthy-living/article/the-role-of-gut-microorganisms-in-human-health. Last accessed: 18.09.2023.
            11. https://www.zentrum-der-gesundheit.de/ernaehrung/nahrungsergaenzung/probiotika-uebersicht/probiotika. Last accessed: 18.09.2023.
            12. https://www.zentrum-der-gesundheit.de/ernaehrung/nahrungsergaenzung/probiotika-uebersicht/probiotische-lebensmittel. Last accessed: 18.09.2023.
            The website Realtalk! Sichelzellkrankheit is intended to support you with as many questions as possible about sickle cell disease.