In the on-going COVID-19 wave there are a huge number of patients who are infected mildly or moderately and hence are recovering in home care. Albeit such patients are receiving medical guidance but a major challenge being faced by their caregivers is with regards to the dos and don’ts of the food to be served to them. 

Well alike other diseases, COVID-19 too can be combatted with nutrition. Primarily the body is weakened and this continues for days even post completing the quarantine and testing negative. So in order to attain a speedy and complete recovery what is of key importance is consumption of the right kind of diet.

A good question to ask here is what is the ‘right diet’ for a COVID-19 patient? Well, it is basically foods that help rebuild muscle, immunity and energy levels. Confused? Want some more clarity? So here’s sharing some suggestions - 

1. Complex Carbohydrates - Whole grains like ragi, oats or amaranth
2. Protein - Chicken, fish, eggs, paneer, soya, nuts and seeds 
3. Healthy Fats - Walnuts, almonds, olive oil, mustard oil 
4. Immunity Booster - Turmeric milk (once a day)
5. Vitamins and Minerals - Five servings of all coloured fruits and vegetables 
6. Mood Boosters - Small amounts of dark chocolate with at least 70 per cent cocoa (to lift your mood, get rid of anxiety and boost your immunity)

List of Suggested Items to Eat

For Breakfast,

Poha 

Cheela (Omelette)

Upma

Sevaiyan

Idli 

Eggs 

Turmeric Latte 

Khichdi

For Lunch,

Chapatti (made from amaranth, ragi or multi-grain flour) + Rice or Pulao or Khichdi + Dal + Green Vegetables + Curd Salad (with carrot and cucumber)

For Evening Tea 

Ginger Tea

Vegetable or Chicken Soup

Sprouts Chaat

Paneer

For Dinner ,

Chapatti (made from amaranth, ragi or multi-grain flour) + Soya Beans + Paneer + Chicken + Green Vegetable Salad

Important Tips to Remember

• With most COVID-19 patients losing smell and taste and facing challenges in swallowing it would be advisable to eat soft food at regular intervals and also add mango powder (aamchur) to the food
• Patients suffering from diarrhoea/ nausea can be provided vegetable khichdi, ginger tea (do add basil, cinnamon, clove or cardamom)
• Post-COVID fatigue can be combatted by –
  • Consumption of energy-boosting foods like bananas, apples, oranges or sweet lime juice
  • Including a sweet potato as part of your meal
  • Drinking warm water with organic honey and lime

Now isn’t that quite easy?  Most of these items are already part of our dining table menu, so just a minor tweak here and there and you can serve your loved one a diet to boost their immunity and get them up and going.   

Just normal wholesome homemade food along with regular physical activity (yoga) and breathing exercises (Pranayama), as per individual tolerance levels will suffice to bid farewell to the wily virus and say hello to a stronger and more immune you!