While there is no vaccination available to combat COVID19 infection, the only way to keep it at arm’s length is personal hygiene and a healthy diet. Frequent hand washing, using hand gloves while buying groceries, wearing masks, and not touching around your face as much as possible are some of the recommended ways to contain the spread of the virus, but experts have also emphasised boosting immunity. At this time, medical experts can help you recuperate from this disease by strengthening your immunity.
To improve your immunity, you will have to introduce changes in your diet. Although you have a variety of things to eat, not all of them are immunity booster. Before you get to know what type of diet you can follow during this global pandemic, you should know about food safety concerns.
Personal hygiene is crucial while preparing food. Handwashing is a must before you touch any food item. Make sure that you wash your hands properly with soap for at least 20 seconds. Do not forget to wash your hands after being out in public, coughing, sneezing, and blowing your nose. If frequent handwashing is not available, use at least 60% alcohol concentrated sanitizers. Clean your kitchen regularly. Use disinfectants to clean the whole surface.
There is currently no evidence that states that the virus can spread through food. It is believed that it spreads from person to person. As the virus can stay alive on surfaces for a couple of days, it is suspected that it can contaminate fruits and vegetables. Try to soak them in lukewarm water for a couple of minutes. If you add baking soda to it, it will likely kill bacteria.
If you have ordered food, make sure that you are following the norm of social distancing while collecting it. If food is sealed in a packet, you can sprinkle sanitizer over it.
Now that you have got to know what food hygiene practice you need to follow. It is the time to know about a healthy diet to keep the infection at bay.
Add unprocessed food in your diet
Processed food like potato chips is not healthy at all. They do not contain any nutritional values. They are full of empty calories that lead to nothing but spike your blood glucose level.
- Eat fresh fruits, vegetables, lentils, beans, nuts and whole grains. Brown rice, brown bread and whole-grain bread are unprocessed items, and hence they consist of healthy carbohydrates and fibre. Eat oats, oatmeal and roots like potatoes, taro etc.
- Include citrus fruits in your diet as they are rich in vitamin C that helps boost immunity. Eat salad and avoid poultry and fish.
- If you prefer canned and dried vegetables and fruits, you should choose the one without salt.
Take hot liquids
Water is essential to hydrate your body. Health experts have recommended drinking water as much as possible. Apart from water, you can consume other drinks like warm milk, tea, coffee, and green tea. Experts have suggested taking hot liquids as it mitigates the spread of infection.
It is likely not to have any symptoms for a couple of days. When you come in the contact of the virus, it stays in your throat for three days, and then it slides down to lungs. Experts have said that hot liquids can stop building mucus in your throat and keep your whole respiratory system healthy and functioning.
Try to avoid drinking cold water and cold drinks. They can deteriorate your health if you consume them at a chilled temperature. However, be careful with the number of hot liquids like tea, coffee and green tea. Excess consumption is also not healthy. You may think fruit juice is healthy, but they contain empty calories. You should eat whole fruits instead, for instance, oranges instead of orange juice.
Consume moderate oil and fat
Since you are spending most of your day home, you should avoid saturated fats found in meat, butter, lard, coconut oil, cheese, ghee and cream. Instead, eat avocado, nuts, olive oil, corn and sunflower oil.
If you want to consume poultry and fish, make sure that there has been no compromise with food hygiene. Avoid processed meat as they are high in fat and salt. People with chronic conditions like hypertension should not consume them. Dairy products are healthy for bones but try skimmed varieties. Nutritional diet can boost your immunity and prevent from catching the infection caused by COVID19. Maintain personal hygiene and eat a healthy diet. If your body shows any symptoms of fever, cough, or your body does not behave naturally, you should immediately go to the doctor to get the test done. You should not worry about money as loans like Provident can help you.
