Feeling tired, sluggish, or getting sick a lot? Maybe you’re not eating the right foods!
Proper nutrition and hydration are important to keep up a strong immune system, which is more important than ever now during this COVID pandemic.
People who maintain a well-balanced and healthy diet have a lower risk for infectious diseases and even chronic illnesses.
Here are the best foods to eat and vitamins to take to strengthen your immune system and lower the risk of developing serious complications from COVID-19.
Eat Fresh Foods and Avoid Processed Ones
Among the best foods to eat and vitamins to take is by eating fresh foods. Eating vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and foods sourced from animals is a great idea. You can make lots of meals out of beans, lentils, potatoes, wheat, oats, rice, eggs, milk, fish, meat, eggs, etc.
The daily recommended intake is to eat two cups of fruits, 2.5 cups of vegetables, 160g (~3 oz) of beans and meat, and 180g (~5.5 oz) of grains. For snacks, you can choose fresh fruits and raw vegetables rather than going for foods that are high in salt, fat, or sugar. Avoid overcooking the fruits and vegetables since that can strip away the vital nutrients. If you are going for dried or canned fruits and vegetables, you should try varieties that don’t have a lot of added sugar or salt.
Staying Hydrated by Drinking Enough Water
Water is the most important nutrient you can have. It helps to regulate the temperature of the body, transports compounds and nutrients and cushions and lubricates the joints. Everyone needs to drink eight to ten cups of water daily to make sure their immune system is working in optimum condition.
A lot of people don’t like the plain taste of water, but you can incorporate fruits, drinks, and vegetables that also contain water. Lemon juice mixed in with water can be nourishing for the body too. You should remember that many beverages do not actually hydrate you. Having too many caffeinated drinks or sweetened drinks can be worse for you. Try some of those real fruit smoothies!
Fast and Oils are Important in Moderation
It is better to eat unsaturated fats like avocado, fish, nuts, soy, olive oil and sunflower oil is better than saturated fats like butter, fatty meats, cheese, cream, lard, ghee, or coconut oil. Avoiding red meat. Having white meat like fish and poultry is better since it is lower in fat. Processed meats can also have a high content of salt and fat, such as deli meats. Even dairy and milk that have reduced or low fat can be great options.
One thing that you should absolutely avoid is trans fats, which are often found in snacks, fast food, processed food, cookies, spreads, pies, and frozen pizza.
Eat Less Sugar and Salt
While preparing and cooking food, you should reduce the amount of high-sodium ingredients and salt. Going easy on the fish or soy sauce can be a good idea. The daily intake of salt should be less than 5g or a teaspoon. It is also better to use iodized salt and avoid snacks that have a lot of sugar and salt.
Limiting the intake of your sodas and soft drinks that have a high amount of sugar like syrups, flavored milk, and juice concentrate, not to mention the weight gain! Selecting fresh fruits instead of eating sweet things like chocolate, cakes and cookies can go a long way.
Reduce Eating Out
While it can be important to support local businesses at this time of need, cooking at home as much as possible helps limit the rate of coming into contact with others, but if you do go out, be sure to maintain the six-foot required distance between you and others and wear your mask. Also, pick a restaurant that you know goes the extra effort to keep the chairs and tables disinfected. Eat outside the restaurant if possible.
If you order take-out, make sure to go for no-contact deliveries where you pay without cash. Remember to tip well too!
September 16, 2022 Update: Now with the Covid crises almost over, you can gradually return to you normal lifestyle, which means visiting restaurants without those stringent Covid rules and fear looming over your head, but we would still recommend precautions. Bring a sanitizer with you. Wash your hands before you eat and wash the table as well. Masks are still recommended.
Vitamins and Minerals
The best foods to eat and vitamins to take during the pandemic (and during normal times as well) include the following.
- Vitamin D: Probably the most important vitamin you can take (either via natural foods or over-the-counter). This nutrient is filled with important benefits, which include the following:
- Supports lung function
- Supports your heart
- Strengthens bones and teeth
- Supports your immune system
- Supports the brain and nervous system
- It may help to reduce some cancers
And the foods you should eat that contain vitamin D are:
- Fish, especially tuna and salmon
- Orange juice, soy milk, and some cereals (read the ingredients on the box)
- Cheese
- Egg yolks
Other important vitamins for your body’s health are:
- Vitamin A: This can help maintain the health of your respiratory system and intestines and since COVID attacks the lungs, this would be one vitamin to take very seriously. Foods rich in vitamin A include spinach, sweet potatoes, carrots, red bell peppers, and broccoli.
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C is best known for keeping your bones in good shape and builds up your immune system. You can have kiwis, red bell peppers, and citrus fruits to up your vitamin C intake. The recommended daily amount for vitamin C is 65 to 90 milligrams (mg) per day.
- Vitamin E: Helps to neutralize free radicals by acting as an antioxidant. Vitamin E exists in nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, and avocados.
- Zinc: Many enzymes in the body are dependent on zink and a deficiency can lead to a dysfunction in the immune system. Foods rich in zinc include nuts, seeds, beans, poultry, meat, and seafood.
- Protein: Amino acids are a good protein and is needed for the T-cell function that protects the cells from pathogens, like the COVID-19 virus. Items like seeds, nuts, beans, eggs, seafood, poultry, and meats have plenty of protein that can be good for you.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, you have to remember that foods aren’t the only thing that will keep you safe. While the items mentioned here are considered the best nutrients and vitamins to take, especially during this pandemic, good exercise is also highly recommended.
And remember, these guidelines do not only apply when there is a pandemic, such as the coronavirus, but they are recommendations you should follow every day.