Nutrition has played a key role during recovery from COVID-19 for many cases. A healthy organic diet will provide your body with the energy and nutrients you need for your overall health, it has also played a significant role in rebuilding immunity for several viruses.
Covid-19 pandemic did hit hard all around the world, and also has led many of us be more mindful of our health. Many people are now health conscious and are looking after their health and the health of their loved ones as well, generally speaking your nourishment is crucial for recovery of your body as well, so it is important to ensure that your body has enough energy (i.e. calories) to do so. Even if you are trying to lose weight generally, this is not the time to continue to do so – it should wait until you are fully recovered.
There are many causes for this deadly virus but the most reported symptoms of long-Covid include fatigue, reduced appetite, nausea, chemosensory dysfunction and reduced energy levels, all of which can affect food choices as well, now it’s important for your immune system to stay in tip-top shape during the Covid pandemic, especially as a new strain of Covid is spreading known as Delta variant, and among which one of the best ways to stay healthy is by maintaining a nutritious diet.
Our expert nutrition’s suggest you 2 diets that could be of benefit to those recovering from Covid-19 or managing long-Covid are below, and the one that will suit best depends on the person’s nutritional status which is why our expert Nutritionist of Pakistan suggest that you should eat.
- Healthy Diet – this diet is recommended for those of a healthy weight, have not experienced weight loss, and food intake has not been affected
- High protein & high calorie diet – this diet is recommended for those who have a reduced food intake, unintentional weight loss or low body mass index (BMI)
Healthy Eating Diet
Based on the food pyramid, this diet aims for a balanced approach.
- 5-7 portions of fruit and vegetables per day
- Tip: Eat a variety of different colours as they will provide your body with different nutrients!
- 3-5 portions of carbohydrates per day
- E.g. wholegrain bread, potatoes, pasta and rice
- 3 portions of calcium per day
- E.g. cheese, yoghurt and milk
- 2-3 portions of protein rich foods per day
- E.g. meat, fish, beans and nuts
- Reduce the amount of fats, oils and spreads that you are consuming
- Limit processed food and drinks, as they can be high in fat, sugar and salt
- E.g. biscuits, cakes, chocolate bars and crisps
- Aim for 8 cups of fluid per day, preferably water
High Protein & High Calorie Diet
This diet is a diet that is high in protein and calories (energy). For a high protein and high calorie diet, it is recommended to consume 3 meals and 2-3 snacks each day. If your appetite is reduced then a small and often approach may be beneficial, ensuring that you are eating foods high in protein and calories regularly throughout the day.
Food fortification can play a role in increasing both calorie and protein content of foods and should be considered if you are not meeting nutritional requirements from food alone. Food fortification is when additional substances – such as butter, cream, milk or cheese – are added to food or drinks to increase the calorie and protein content. An example is fortified milk, made by adding skimmed milk powder to whole milk.
If nutritional requirements cannot be met through diet and food fortification, there may be a need for oral nutritional supplements – nutritional drinks that provide additional energy, protein, minerals and vitamins. The use of these should be discussed with a dietitian or GP first.
Remember that this is general advice, but nutrition can play a key role in the recovery from COVID-19. this diet is shared by our expert nutritionist, if you want to eat a healthy chicken to improve your immunity please visit us at freslivery.com
