Shelly-Ann Thompson, Freelance Writer

Left: Mr. Reid emphasises that vegetables are important in building and restoring his blood cells, which are being torn away by being HIV-positive.   Right: Ainsley Reid, who is HIV-positive, blends his favourite drink. The drink is a combination of Lasco Food Drink and ripe bananas. - Photos by Shelly-Ann Thompson

Ainsley Reid, who is HIV-positive, made the bold step recently to go public with his disease. He is the male figure of the mass media/outdoor advertising campaign 'Getting on With Life', that includes television commercials.

Still, Mr. Reid, who has had the virus for more than 13 years, attributes a proper diet as one of the main reasons for surviving with the virus.

Food asked Mr. Reid to share his diet so that others in his position may benefit.

In between taking threetablets daily, he ensures that his body is fed with lots of protein and carbohydrates. The protein is excellent in helping to restore and replace the blood cells, while carbohydrates replenish and provide energy. In addition, his sugar intake is very limited.

However, do not think that Mr. Reid's diet is boring because of his HIV status. His favourite punch is a 'concoction' of ripe bananas with a Lasco Food Drink flavour. He mixes one Lasco Food Drink vanilla flavour, ripe bananas, vanilla flavouring and almond essence in a cup of water. The punch will be had at breakfast, or sometimes instead of lunch or dinner.

"Sometimes my wife will say, 'why you having so much of that'," said Mr. Reid, who has been married for 11 years. His wife does not have the virus.

He also loves rotisserie chicken and vegetables. "It is not fattening and it provides protein." For those who do not like the bland taste of vegetables, he suggests the addition of cheese.

To his diet, supplements are also included, such as multi-vitamins, fish oil or Vitamin E.

In ensuring that his diet is kept within the needs of his immune specifications, he reads, Healthy Eating for Better Living - A Caribbean Handbook by Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute. "For anyone who is HIV-positive, and their family, this is a good book to have as it details what you need to know about your diet."

Being HIV-positive does not mean immediate death, so Mr. Reid is ensuring that he stays well.

"What keeps me well is the medication, then supplements and nutrition. Aside from that I also exercise, as this is a must."

His daily menu

Monday:

Morning - an apple or an orange, cereal, toast with jam, jelly or peanut butter and a cup of Milo or his favourite mix-up punch.

Lunch - often replaced by a snack that could be a salad.

Dinner - often nuts, such as pistachio or peanuts.

Late nights (at nine or 10 o'clock) - A fruit snack with medication.

Tuesday and Wednesday:

Could be the same pattern as Monday with lots of fruit juice and water.

Thursday:

The same for breakfast and lunch as other days.

Dinner - at a restaurant, that could be curried chicken and rice, callaloo soup or red peas soup.

Friday:

Breakfast - same as previous days

Lunch and Dinner - A snack (fruit, biscuits, crackers or porridge, nothing sweet) and granola bar.

Saturday:

This is our sabbath, anything, including rice and peas and chicken. Also non-meat protein such as tofu, veggie meats cooked with onions with very good drink, such as passion fruit mixed with mango.

Sunday:

Might be leftovers from sabbath. We try to make sure our weekend meals are solid. This means adding a banana or a dumpling. We do not eat red meats such as pork, beef or goat flesh.