Diet in COVID-19 Disease
How important is nutrition during coronavirus disease?
There is a direct relationship between nutrition and the immune system. The immune system is a collection of cells and components that protect the body against disease and promote recovery and health in the event of disease. The primary function of the immune system is to destroy bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Another role of the immune system is to destroy damaged or abnormal cells.
Healthy eating can increase the body's resistance and protect us against many diseases. Minerals and vitamins such as vitamins C, D, zinc, and selenium strengthen the immune system. Vitamin D is naturally present in sunlight and can be obtained for free. Vitamin C is believed to increase the production of white blood cells (which is the key to fighting infection in the body). Vitamin C is abundant in these foods:
• Grapefruit
• Orange
• Tangerine
• Lemon
• Sour lemon
• Bell pepper
• Types of cabbage
• Thyme
• parsley
• Kiwi
• Pineapple
Essential tips on corona nutrition
o Limit salt intake. During quarantine, fruits and fresh foods may not be available before, so go for canned, stewed, or frozen foods more often. These foods are generally high in salt. The World Health Organization recommends consuming less than 5 grams of salt daily.
o Limit sugar intake. The World Health Organization says adults should get less than 5 percent of their daily energy needs from sugar intake. If needing to eat a sweet snack, give fresh and dried fruits that do not have added sugar. If having a craving for food or other desserts, make sure they have a little sugar or a small amount of them. Choose low-fat options because high-fat foods are generally high in sugar. When cooking or making a drink, pay attention to the added amount of sugar or honey.
o Limit harmful fats. The World Health Organization recommends getting less than 30 percent of the daily energy from fats and less than 10 percent of that from saturated fats. It is necessary to follow the cooks' recipes that require the least amount of oil for cooking or do not want the oil to achieve this amount.
o Get Enough Fiber. Getting enough fiber helps improve the body's digestive system and long-lasting satiety; It is why fiber prevents overeating. On the other hand, overeating causes overweight, and overweight weakens the immune system. To make sure to get enough fiber daily, add whole vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains to the daily diet.
o Drink enough water. Consuming enough water and keep the body hydrated is vital to maintaining our health. Whenever water is available, try to drink some water. If feeling thirsty, purified water is the best and cheapest type of drink. Drinking water instead of sweetened juices is the easiest way to avoid consuming too much sugar and calories. To improve the taste of water, add frozen fruits such as citrus or cucumber and herbs such as mint, lavender, and rosemary. Avoid dark tea or strong coffees, energy drinks, and caffeinated beverages.
