As regards COVID-19, the focus has gone beyond protection and prevention to adding Coronavirus diet and nutrition.
We already know, coronavirus (COVID-19) is a deadly transmittable disease caused by a new strain of virus known as coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2).
Infected people without prior medical conditions are mostly to have mild symptoms while those with a clinical history of diabetes, cancer, chronic lung disease, and cardiovascular disease get to deal with severe signs.
What are the mild signs of coronavirus?
Mild signs of coronavirus may include fever,
- cough,
- runny nose,
- sore throat,
- headache,
- sneezing,
- fatigue,
- shortness of breath or breathing difficulty, and
- muscle or body aches.
What are the severe signs of coronavirus?
Severe symptoms of covid 19 may include:
- loss of taste,
- loss of smell,
- pneumonia,
- diarrhea,
- severe acute,
- respiratory syndrome, and
- kidney failure.
People who are over 50, sick, or have weak immune systems are at a higher risk of contracting the virus.
Coronavirus is not friendly to both the sick and healthy. The moment an individual is infected, the immune system starts to weaken and then different symptoms and signs will surface.
Hence, healthy diets and nutrition are required for infected patients who have started treatment. It helps aid fast healing and recovery.
Coronavirus diet: best foods to eat for fast recovery.
The best foods for covid 19 patients to eat for fast recovery are antioxidant vitamins, mineral-rich foods, and water. Consuming these foods would help rebuild muscle, immunity, and energy levels.
Note: People with respiratory diseases can also eat these foods as they are considered harmless, healthy, and safe.
List of healthy foods for covid 19 patients
According to experts, the following foods are safe and healthy for COVID 19 patients to consume the…
Protein-high foods
Protein high foods are very essential for covid-19 patients. Nutritionists say they provide the body with adequate energy needed for the manufacture of antibodies, enzymes, hormones, and tissues.
Chicken, fish, eggs, paneer, soya, nuts, or seeds are known good sources of rich protein for the sick and healthy. Eating one or more of rich protein foods boosts the immune system and speeds up recovery.
The Reference Daily Intake (RDI) for protein is 46 grams for women and 56 grams for men.
However, many health and fitness experts believe you need more than that to function optimally. Hence consult and follow a doctor’s prescription if you’re a Covid-19 patient.
Complex carbohydrates
Consumption of more protein foods is unsafe for covid-19 patients as it can lead to constipation, anal fissures, and bleeding. So to balance up, experts say add complex carbs.
Complex carbs are vital nutrients needed while battling to recover from covid 19. They contain fiber, and starch and can be richly sourced from whole grains (barley, brown rice, buckwheat, cracked wheat, millet, oatmeal, popcorn) peas and beans, nuts, and fruits.
Healthy fats
Healthy fats are safe to consume if you’ve got coronavirus infections.
walnuts, almonds, olive oil, mustard oil are good sources of healthy fats recommended for fast healing.
You can add some to your breakfast, lunch, or dinner to boost your immunity level.
Tumeric milk
Turmeric milk, a yellow Indian beverage also called golden milk is known to help build immunity and ward off sicknesses
For a covid-19 patient, one cup of turmeric milk twice a day can help boost the immune system and in turn aid recovery.
The drink is traditionally made by warming up cow’s or plant-based milk with turmeric and other spices, such as cinnamon and ginger
The easy and simple way to make turmeric milk at home
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (120ml) of unsweetened milk of your choice
- 1 tsp of turmeric
- 1 small piece of grated fresh ginger or 1/2 tsp of ginger powder
- 1/2 tsp of cinnamon powder
- 1 pinch of ground black pepper
- 1 tsp of honey or maple syrup (optional)
Steps…
- mix all ingredients in a small saucepan or pot
- Place on the fire to boil.
- reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes or until fragrant and flavorful.
- strain the drink through a fine strainer into mugs and top with a pinch of cinnamon.
- And then serve.
P.S: you can make it in large quantity and then store it in your refrigerator for a maximum of 5days. Ensure you reheat before drinking or serving someone.
Dark chocolate
Small amounts of dark chocolate a day is not harmful. According to experts, pure dark chocolate with at least 70% of cocoa is healthy and good for covid-19 patients to consume. Aside from that, it can boost your immune system, it can also, lift mood, lower anxiety, reduce heart disease risk, improve blood flow, and lower blood pressure.
Vegetables
During an attack, coronavirus targets the immune system and affects the functioning of body organs significantly but eating the right amount of nutrients from fresh vegetables may make it impossible.
Vegetables are a rich source of nutrition that contains a lot of vitamins and minerals essential to maintain the good health status of the body. If you are recuperating from COVID-19, the best vegetables to incorporate into your diets are spinach, broccoli, bell peppers, tomato, carrot, and other vitamin A, C, D and E rich plant-based foods, Nutritionist and Dietitian Shweta Gupta.
Fruits
Fruits are equally an important part of the coronavirus diet. No one fruit provides all of the nutrients a covid patient needs to recover fast. Eat different colours of fruits every day. Five servings is not too much but enough to supply all the essential vitamins and minerals the body requires. The best fruits for covid patients recovery include papaya, watermelon, banana, apples. pineapple, avocado, and citrus fruits.
Water
Water is an essential element of life as it transports nutrients in the blood, controls body temperature, and flushes out toxins from the body. Besides, the covid-19 infection can dehydrate the body. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water every day to hydrate yourself.
Other fluids you can take are coconut water, milk, herbal concoction, and fresh juice. Packed juice, caffeine, and fizzy drinks are not healthy so avoid them. Also read: Does covid affect pregnancy ?
More tips for fast recovery
- Avoid sugary drinks, alcohol, coffee as it leads to dehydration
- Take oral nutrition supplements and antioxidants to meet bodily nutrition demands.
- Eat ginger, garlic, and turmeric spiced foods
- Drink plenty of warm water with mint or tulsi leaves for a dry cough.
- Take ginger tea to calm diarrhoea and nausea feelings.
- Don’t eat leftovers, treat them as medical waste.
- Avoid eating much quantity of food in one sitting.
- Eat only soft foods at small intervals. [1]
Frequently asked questions
can you get coronavirus from food?
No, you can’t get coronavirus from food. Currently, no research evidence supports that claim. The virus that causes COVID-19 can be killed at temperatures similar to that of other known viruses and bacteria found in food.
can coronavirus live on food?
Yes, coronavirus can survive on certain foods but may not be able to multiple as the viruses need a living host to thrive. According to research, the virus can survive on refrigerated or frozen meats for weeks.
What are the Best vegetables for covid recovery?
The best vegetables for coronavirus patients to eat for fast recovery are Cauliflower, purple cabbage, mushroom, beetroot, red capsicum, spinach, broccoli, bell peppers, tomato, and carrot.
Final note…
Eating the right kind of food as a covid 19 patient goes a long way in boosting your immune system which in turn helps your healing and recovery to happen faster than thought. The foods mentioned above are good and suitable for people with mild covid-19 symptoms and should be followed with guidance from a doctor or a nutritionist.
