Umaisar Gull Ganie
Srinagar, May 20: Experts said that Covid patients both positive and recovered should eat nutritious and balanced diet to boost their immunity to fight against COVID-19.
Dr. Altaf Hussain Shah Professor & HOD Gastroenterology, SKIMS said that eating proper food is basic to boost immunity.
“Some covid-19 patients/recovered skips eating which can lead to weakness, low immunity and faces difficulty to fight Covid-19,” he said.
Shah said that a balanced and nutritional diet can be proved effective to increase immunity.
“The patient with good immunity can fight the virus. They can fight, and break their food into 5-6 halves and eat throughout the day,” he said.
“To improve immunity, the person should eat fresh fruits and leafy vegetables which are rich in vitamins,” he said, adding that vegetarians can eat leafy vegetables and pulses.
Shah said the Covid patients should eat less red meat and has more proteins like egg, chicken, milk and nuts like walnuts, almonds and should take more fluids like water, juices and lemonade.
“No food is restricted, only eat fresh fruit and leafy vegetables. Do not eat dried vegetables as they do not have any vitamins, minerals in it,” he said
Shah said hydration is also important for both normal and Covid infected patients.
If someone does not have kidney or heart problems they should drink a good amount of water for good urine output,” he said.
“Drug addicts, alcohol consumers are more vulnerable to get infected not only with Covid but other infections also. They already have weak liver, weak immune system and thus should avoid drinking alcohol and taking drugs,” he said.
“If Covid-19 patient eats disposable items, they should dump it out along with their leftover food,” he said.
