achieve and maintain a good Nutritional status is one of the best assets we have to fight the virus and in general to maintain good health. The nutritional status of individuals is affected by various factors such as age, gender, health status, lifestyle and medications.
Optimal nutrition and the intake of nutrients in the diet have an impact on the immune system, so in the current context it is essential to strengthen the immune system. A proper diet can ensure that the body is in the proper state to defeat the virus. However, along with dietary management guidelines, food safety management and good dietary practices are highly recommended.
More than 2,500 years ago, Hippocrates said: “Let food be your medicine and medicine your food”. Optimal nutrition and dietary intake impact the immune system through gene expression, cell activation, and molecular modification. In addition, several nutrients are determinants of the microbial composition of the intestine and for the body’s immune responses.
An adequate intake of zinc, iron, and vitamins A, B12, B6, C, and E is essential for the maintenance of immune function. In the current scenario, COVID-19 has imposed a new series of challenges for the individual to maintain a healthy diet. Fear and anxiety can also cause changes in eating habits that lead to unhealthy dietary patterns and a decreased desire to eat or enjoyment of eating.
A balanced diet will ensure a strong immune system that can resist any attack from the virus. There is currently no evidence that any supplement can “boost” our immune system and treat or prevent any viral infection, except for vitamin C.7 Vitamin C is one of the main components of water-soluble vitamins that tend to boost the immune system. The RDA for vitamin C in the diet is 90 mg/day for men and 75 mg/day for women.
Diet Recommendations
- Eat fruits daily (apple, banana, strawberry, melon, grapefruit, pineapple, papaya, orange, red fruits, pear, mango, etc.) with a ration of 2 to 3 times.
- Eat fresh vegetables daily (peppers, garlic, ginger, kale, cilantro (dry), broccoli, green chili, lettuce, spinach, chard, tomato, cauliflower…) with 3 servings per day and add legumes (chickpeas, beans, lentils), three to four times a week.
- Prioritize whole grains (unprocessed corn, oats, whole wheat, millet, brown rice or roots such as potatoes, sweet potatoes or cassava) and consume natural or roasted nuts, avoiding fried ones.
- Red meat can be eaten once or twice a week, and poultry 2-3 times a week. If you are not a vegetarian or vegan, eat foods of animal origin (for example, fish, eggs and dairy).
- Prioritize natural yogurts without flavors, sugar or sweeteners. You can add fruit, nuts or cinnamon to improve its flavor until you get used to the taste
General recommendations
- For snacks, choose fresh fruits and raw vegetables instead of foods high in sugar, salt, or fat.
- Don’t overcook vegetables, as important nutrients like vitamins and minerals are lost.
- When using dried or canned fruits and vegetables, choose varieties with no added sugar or salt.
- Make sure food is prepared and served at acceptable temperatures.
- Limit your salt intake to five grams a day.
- Eat unsaturated fats (found in avocado, fish, nuts, soybeans, olive oil, nuts) instead of saturated fats (found in butter, fatty meat, refined sunflower, coconut, and palm, industrial cheese, precooked or fried foods).
- Drink between 8 and 10 glasses of water a day. It helps transport nutrients in the blood, removes waste and regulates body temperature. Coffee and tea are other good options.
- Avoid packaged juices, carbonated soft drinks, concentrates and all drinks that contain sugar.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle with exercise, meditation, and regular sleep. Adequate sleep will help immune function.
- Safe and moderate sun exposure will increase your vitamin D levels
- Make sure you maintain a good daily intake of healthy protein (meat, fish, nuts, legumes, tofu, soy derivatives…). It will help you maintain your muscle mass, especially important if you are elderly.
- A proper diet can help ensure that the body is in the strongest possible state to fight off the virus and any daily stresses.
Food hygiene guidelines
- Wash vegetables and fruits before eating them.
- Wash, rinse, and disinfect objects and surfaces each time before and after use.
- Keep cooked and raw foods separate, as this prevents harmful germs from raw foods from spreading to cooked foods.
- Use separate cutting boards and utensils for cooked and raw foods to avoid cross-contamination.
- Food service workers must wear gloves while preparing food.
- Try not to display or sell unwrapped food at the self-service counter.
- Frequently disinfect surfaces that have been in contact with customers or workers, such as doorknobs, counters, or shopping carts.
Individuals who eat well-balanced diets appear to be more confident, with better immune systems and lower incidences of chronic diseases and infections. With these guidelines you can acquire healthy dietary habits that help you maintain physical and mental health.
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