Nutrition can help support immune function during the COVID-19 pandemic. A healthy, balanced diet with foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds can provide nutrients that support immunity such as vitamins A, C, D, zinc and iron. Specific foods mentioned as beneficial include citrus, red peppers, broccoli, garlic, ginger, spinach and kale, almonds, turmeric, green tea, papaya and kiwis. Following guidelines for calorie and protein needs is also important for COVID patients. Maintaining good nutrition, physical activity, stress management and sleep can help keep the immune system strong.

1. Nutrition and Diet during
covid
Mrs. Suman P
BSc, MSc
Consultant nutritionist and dietician

2. How nutrition can protect people’s health
during COVID-19
• “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Hippocrates
• COVID-19 puts diets at risk through disrupted health and nutrition
services, job and income losses, disruptions in local food supply
chains, and as a direct result of infections among poor and vulnerable
people

3. Physical distancing and good hygiene are the best protection for
yourself and others against COVID-19
Although we do not have concrete evidence regarding specific dietary
factors that can reduce risk of COVID-19, we do know that eating a
healthy diet, being physically active, managing stress, and getting
enough sleep are critical to keeping our immune system

4. Can You Get the Coronavirus Through Food?
• There's no known evidence of transmission through food. The CDC
reports that the primary way that COVID-19 spreads is from person to
person via respiratory droplets.

5. Will Heat from Cooking Kill the Coronavirus?
• The short answer is yes. There haven't been studies done on this new
coronavirus, but research done on similar viruses show that sustained
high temperatures will destroy viruses

6. Do I Need to Sanitize My Groceries When I Come
Home from the Store?
• Despite what you may have heard, most experts aren't
recommending sanitizing grocery packages or foods. Fruits and
vegetables should be washed with just water.

7. Is Fresh Produce Safe to Eat?
• Yes. Fresh produce should be washed well with water (not soap or
other cleaning chemicals) and it's safe to eat

8. What Are Some Tips to Stay Safe While
Grocery Shopping?
• The biggest risk while grocery shopping remains close contact with
other people. The CDC recommends wearing a cloth mask while out
in public places, like the grocery store

9. Is It Safe to Order Takeout?
• It should be safe, but see what local public health departments have
recommended in your area as guidance around the country is
different and changing frequently. Restaurants and their employees
should be practicing good hygiene habits (washing hands, asking
employees to stay home when sick, and cleaning and disinfecting
more than ever)

10. • Food safety expert Benjamin Chapman, PhD, a professor at North
Carolina State University, believes the possibility of contracting
coronavirus is not high. "As food or food packaging has not been
identified as a risk factor for COVID-19 transmission, I would say the
risk is very low," Chapman tells Health.
• "And the better news is that a delivery recipient can reduce their risk
of transmission by good handwashing and/or using at least a 60%
alcohol hand sanitizer," says Chapman

11. Can nutrition boost your immune system?
• In response to the COVID-19 pandemic the British Dietetic Association
recently published a statement:
• “Simply put, you cannot ‘boost’ your immune system through diet,
and no specific food or supplement will prevent you catching COVID-
19/Coronavirus. Good hygiene practice remains the best means of
avoiding infection.

12. • There are many nutrients that are involved with the normal functioning of
the immune system, which is why maintaining a healthy balanced diet is
the best way to support immune function. Important nutrients for effective
immune function are:
• Copper
• Folate
• Iron
• Selenium
• Zinc
• Vitamins A, B6, B12, C and D

13. What is the guidance on protecting your
immune system?
• Be a healthy weight
• Be physically active
• Eat wholegrains, fruits, vegetables and beans
• Limit fast foods
• Limit red and processed meat
• Limit sugar sweetened drinks
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Don’t rely on supplements
• Breastfeed your baby, if you can

14. • Minimize trips to the supermarket during the pandemic and eat healthy.
• Stock up on nutrition-packed foods that will stay fresh for a week or longer. Breads—corn tortillas,
whole grain English muffins, bagels, breads, wraps, frozen whole wheat waffles
• Grains—instant oatmeal, quick cooking pasta, frozen brown rice, couscous, refrigerated pizza crust
• Fruits—sturdy fresh fruit (apples, citrus), dried, plain frozen, canned in juice or water
• Vegetables—sturdy fresh veggies (celery, broccoli, onions, potatoes), plain frozen, low sodium canned,
sun-dried
• Sauces—tomato pasta sauce, salsa
• Soups & Broths—canned, frozen, shelf-stable cartons
• 100% Juice—refrigerated, frozen, canned, boxed
• Milk—fresh, canned, shelf-stable packages
• Eggs—fresh eggs, egg whites in cartons
• Cheese—sliced, cubed, shredded, crumbled, grated hard cheese
• Beans/Legumes—canned beans (black beans, chickpeas), dry beans
• Nuts and seeds—bagged, canned, nut butters
• Chicken—frozen or canned
• Seafood—frozen ready-to-cook fish fillets, frozen shrimp, canned tuna, salmon, and sardines
• Beef—pre-made frozen lean ground patties or meatballs
• Flavorings—add zing with dried herbs & spices, vinegars, mustard, hot/steak sauces, lemon/lime juice,
light dressings, honey, Greek yogurt

15. • Go easy on the frozen dinners—most are high in sodium, fat, and calories.
• Limit purchases of tempting foods like chips, sodas, cookies, and ice cream. They are
high in empty calories and run up your grocery bill.
• Keep costs down—consider low cost alternatives. Instead of buying ready-made
hummus, pureed a drained can of chickpeas to make your own. Try a meatless meal,
like chili with beans instead of beef. If fresh fruits and veggies are too costly—
remember, canned and frozen fruits and vegetables provide the same nutrients as
fresh. Best bets are plain frozen veggies and fruits. Go for low sodium canned veggies
and fruits canned in juice or water—if these are in short supply, buy regular canned
fruits and veggies—drain and rinse before use.
• Think about friends and neighbors, especially older adults or those with health
conditions. Could you save them a trip to the grocery store?
• Try online shopping—it will save you time and let you keep your social distance. Be sure
to play ahead, many stores need a day or two from order to delivery or pickup.

16. Follow Aspen and Espen guidelines
• Nutritional status of each infected patient should be evaluated.
• All guidelines and recommendations available regarding Clinical
Nutrition in critically ill patients also apply for severely ill COVID-19
patients.
• Provide sufficient calories: enteral: 27-30 kcal/kg/d; parenteral (ICU):
< 70% of energy expenditure (EE) in early phase, 80–100% after day 3
• Provide sufficient protein / amino acids: enteral: ≥ 1g/kg/d;
parenteral (ICU): 1.3 g protein equivalents/d delivered progressively.

17. Citrus for Your Cells and Healing

18. Red Peppers to Pump Up Skin and Boost
Immunity

19. Broccoli, But Eat It Nearly Raw, to get the Most
Nutrients Out of It!

20. Garlic, Eaten By the Clove

21. Ginger is a Power Player for Immunity and
Digestion

22. Spinach, Wilted, Not Steamed (Also Kale and Dark
Leafy Greens of All Kinds)

23. Almonds for the Win, Pop Them Like Candy

24. Turmeric to Fight Inflammation, Put it In Your Tea
or Smoothie

25. Green Tea by the Gallon, Skip the Coffee and Sip
this Instead

26. Papaya, The Tropical Healer to Keep You Vacation-
Healthy All Year Round

27. . Kiwis, a Vitamin Powerhouse

28. Sunflower seeds to sprinkle on salads or eat by
themselves

29. Miso, Soup or Paste to Add to Your Soups and
Salad Dressings

30. Stay safe –stay SMART