Notes on diet in the post-COVID-19 period

1. How to choose food in the post-partum periodCOVID-19

In the post-COVID period, what to eat to recover health is a concern of many people. Patients should choose foods rich in calories, protein, fresh vegetables, herbs and spices to improve health and immune system.

1.1. How to choose rich foodscalories

When infected with COVID-19, the patient's body is easily depleted of energy, so high-calorie foods are what the patient needs to regain their energy levels.

Calories in food can come from carbs, fat, and protein. The body can use calories to fuel activities or store them for later use as body fat.

Patients should choose foods rich in calories including: cereals, rice, potatoes, bread, pasta...

To calculate energy needs, people use the unit Kcal (1 Kcal = 1,000 calories). The average energy need of an adult is: 2,300 - 3,000 Kcal/day (for men); 2,000 - 2,500 Kcal/day (for women). Energy needs can be adjusted depending on the intensity of work.

- The amount of Kcal is calculated in 100g of edible portion of foods as follows:

100g of edible portion of sticky rice or white rice contains 344 KCal

Brown rice: 345 KCal

Glutinous rice flour: 362 KCal

Rice flour: 359 KCal

Potato: 93 KCal

Potato starch: 345 KCal

Cellophane noodles: 332 KCal

Bread: 249 KCal

Wheat flour: 346 KCal

Be careful not to eat too many calories as this can easily lead to weight gain, obesity and many other health risks. Avoid foods that contain empty calories such as all types of snacks.

1.2. How to choose protein-rich foods

A sick person cannot get better without protein. Protein is the main building block of new cells and tissues in the body. To maintain a healthy body, the regeneration and repair of cells and tissues is extremely important. Protein also allows the body to produce antibodies that it needs to fight off invading viruses and bacteria.

People with COVID-19 should eat high-calorie foods such as rice, potatoes, bread...

Adding protein-rich foods can help COVID-19 patients replenish lost nutrients in the body. Patients should eat protein-rich foods such as: meat, fish, eggs, poultry, whole grains, beans, low-fat dairy products, soy products, nuts...

- The body's protein requirement is: 1 - 1.5g/kg/day. The amount of protein in 100g of food is calculated as follows:

Grade 1 beef: 21g

Pigeon meat: 17.5g

Lean goat meat: 20.7g

Chicken meat: 20.3g

Lean pork: 19g

Horse meat: 21.5g

Frog leg meat: 20g

Carp: 16g

Snakehead fish: 18.2g

Tilapia: 19.1g

Grass carp: 17g

Salmon: 22g

Tuna: 21g

Chicken eggs: 14.8g

Duck eggs: 13g

Fresh cow's milk: 3.9g

Fresh goat milk: 3.5g

Sweetened condensed milk: 8.1g

Snow peas: 5.5g

Green beans: 6g

Peas: 6.5g

Soybean price: 7.7g

Green bean price: 5.5g

1.3. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables

Fruits, vegetables and some herbs and spices are excellent sources of fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that provide essential nutrients, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial to strengthen the body's immunity, helping patients recover quickly.

Protein-rich foods can help people with COVID-19 replenish nutrients lost in the body.

Patients can eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables and add some herbs and spices such as lemongrass, ginger, garlic, turmeric, onion, coriander, cinnamon, etc.

2. Some notes on diet in the post-COVID-19 period

Eat colorful fruits and vegetables.

In addition to increasing the above foods in the diet during the recovery period, people with COVID-19 need to note the following to implement a more effective diet:

- Prioritize products such as: fresh, newly harvested meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, etc., ensuring food hygiene and safety. Limit packaged products and processed foods.

- Make sure all of the patient's meals are cooked at home instead of depending on outside food.

- Eating a lot of food at one meal can be difficult in the early stages of recovering from COVID-19 infection, so patients should divide their meals into 5-6 small meals a day.

Ensure food safety when preparing food.

- Many COVID-19 patients have difficulty swallowing during recovery, so foods should be prepared in liquid, soft forms to make them easier to swallow and better absorbed.

- Ensure food hygiene and safety when preparing food. Wash hands with soap before and after handling and eating.