Coronavirus and Nutrition

Coronavirus Nutritionist Recommends to cut out the junk food and stock up on proteins, fruits and vegetables.

It’s an uncertain time, but we still need to stay healthy with exercise and diet.

Nutritionist Dr. Sarah Furlong has some advice on how to eat well when you’re stuck inside.

Firstly, whilst we are stuck at home it is so tempting to stockpile on comfort foods, chocolates, chips and lollies all look very appealing at the moment. However filling up on these comfort foods are not doing our bodies any good, infact when we fill up on junk foods we are depriving ourselves of nutritious foods that are important for our immunity. When building up a strong immune system we should focus on proteins, fruits and vegetables.

“When fuelling our bodies with protein we don’t have to eat a big steak, we can get a lot of protein from beans, legumes and dairy.”

Of the many functions of protein in your body, one of its most critical is supporting your immune system. The immune response protects you against harmful microorganisms, including viruses and bacteria. Some of the proteins involved in immunity lie in wait until they are called on, while others are synthesized on the spot as the need arises.

Furlong also says stocking up on fruits and vegetables “is really key.”

“There are five colors of the rainbow. I encourage people to eat five different colored fruits and vegetables and not get a bag of Skittles right now,” Furlong said.

If you’re worried about the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, there are options. Consider dried fruits, canned fruits and vegetables as well as frozen fruits and vegetables.

“Whatever it is you can do to support putting good food back into your body is really critical at this time,” she said.

Put back the bottles of soft drink, and drink water instead.

“This is not the time to be loading up on empty calories” Furlong stated.

Furlong pointed out it’s especially critical to make sure that elderly people and those with disabilities aren’t becoming malnourished during this isolating time.

A great solution is to create smoothies. A scoop of protein powder, a handful of frozen berries, a handful of frozen spinach and a 200-400ml of coconut water makes a really delicious, filling and nutritious snack that anyone can enjoy.