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Covid 19 has a substantial impact on the immune system of a person. To maintain health, you need to provide the required nutrition to the body. Eating the right kind of food at the right time can help build a strong immune system as well as give strength to people who have recovered from Covid. The food you consume plays a major role in how fast you recover. Having the right knowledge about food on what helps and what harms leads to faster recovery.
As patients who have tested positive for covid 19 face symptoms like a gastrointestinal problem, loss of smell, loss of taste, swallowing difficulties, so the diet needs to be focused and well balanced. It is also crucial to understand the comorbidities of the patient like hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease and cardiac problem in order to choose the right type of diet. Your exercise routine and the food you eat determine your rate of recovery.
Listed below are a few suggestions for patients who are suffering from Covid 19:
In most cases, obese patients suffer from respiratory problems, weakened immune systems, and reduced lung volume. They are more vulnerable to develop pneumonia and cardiac issues. Hence, it is crucial to keep a check on your weight and calorie intake. However, an additional amount of energy is required after recovery from coronavirus infection to cope up with the daily activities. This additional energy requirement caters to the intake of food like rice, potato, whole grain, cereals in your diet. It is best to avoid empty calories like junk food or sugary beverages. It is important to keep your calorie intake in check.
It is recommended that recovering patients should consume 1.2-1.3 g/kg of protein per day. Include whole grains, lentils, legumes, dairy products, soy products, nuts and seeds in your diet and for non-vegetarians, chicken, eggs, and fish will be recommended.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are filled with dietary fibre, folate, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Include all of them in your diet for a better result. Many fruits, vegetables and herbs have immunity-boosting properties as they have phytochemicals and bioactive compounds.
Infections can dehydrate the body. Therefore, it is vital to rehydrate when you are recovering from Covid. Drink 8-10 glasses of water every day. Consume broths, soups, and other juices as part of your daily diet.
It is not only the people who have recovered from Covid should be concerned about the kind of diet they have to follow. Even asymptomatic people or those who have mild symptoms and at home quarantining must be careful about their diet for faster recovery. Listed below are the few tips which they can follow.
Consuming nutritious food is a vital part of living healthy. The food we eat should be giving strength to our body. Also, after the illness, it is mandatory to eat well to come out of it.
(By Ms Sherly Ganesh, Head of Nutrition and Dietetics, Columbia Asia Hospital Hebbal)