Focus on regaining strength, stamina and health after COVID to get you up and going in no time!
The coronavirus has a substantial impact on the immune system and the functioning of other organs, therefore many people might experience ongoing weakness, fatigue, and mental strain after recovering from COVID-19.
Patients with comorbidities, such as hypertension, diabetes, kidney malfunction, or heart involvement, along with every COVID patient must be given a very rich and balanced diet. For patients with disturbances indigestion, loss of taste and smell, breathing and swallowing difficulties and particularly people who might have been intubated during hospitalisation, diet plays an important role in recovering from COVID and returning to good health. The food you eat and the exercises you do decide how your recovery is going to be. It is a slow process but one-day-at-a-time does work.
Keep A Check On Calories
Depending on the patient’s nutritional status, calorie intake must depend on healthy body weight. Obese patients frequently suffer from respiratory problems, weakened immune systems, increased inflammation, and reduced lung volume and muscular strength. They are more susceptible to pneumonia and cardiac problems. This is why it is important to carefully plan out their diet to keep them in a calorie deficit but also fulfil the needs of their body for complete recovery.
Make Protein Intake Top Priority
It is recommended that recovering patients consume 1.2-1.3 g/kg of protein per day, with branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) supplementation increased to 50% to avoid muscle atrophy and improve respiratory muscle strength. Fresh yoghurt, paneer, or thoroughly cooked eggs are good options. Protein intake must be tailored to the individual’s nutritional needs, amount of physical activity, and digestive tolerance.
Include Carbohydrates For Energy
When carbohydrates are consumed, they produce an equal amount of carbon dioxide (known as the respiratory quotient), which must be avoided in order to reduce respiratory distress. If the patient is diabetic, the medication must be adjusted, and the patient must be continuously monitored for bouts of glucose highs and lows. Infection can cause persistently-elevated glucose levels, which is why the number of carbs consumed per day must not exceed 100 to 150g.
Add Healthy Fats For Maintenance
The percentage of fat in the diet can be raised to maintain calorie intake. Make the utilisation of medium-chain fatty acids a priority, and increase the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. They have a significant impact on immunological responses and are anti-inflammatory, which is a really essential factor when looking at post COVID recovery. Coconut oil, butter, ghee, almond and MCT (medium-chain triglyceride) oils are all good options for cooking. Dry fruits, nuts also play a very important role in meeting the fat requirement of the body along with other essential nutrients.
Replenish With Greens
When the body is fighting the deadly coronavirus, make sure to provide the right amount of nutrients to help it recover faster. A healthy and well-balanced diet rich in vegetables is essential for boosting the immune system, replenishing lost nutrients, and reviving stamina. Vegetables are a fantastic source of nourishment since they contain a lot of vitamins and minerals that the body needs to stay healthy. Including spinach, broccoli, ginger, soy, string beans, bell peppers, and cucumbers in your diet if you’re recovering from COVID-19 is really essential.
Comments