Post-Covid Diet Plan In India: Foods For Covid Patients

Covid has taken a toll on everyone’s mental and physical health. Being a new virus in the entire world, it was arduous to find the proper medical and dietary treatment. Although some doctors and nutritionists have started working on the appropriate treatment of the covid and post covid, it requires special care.

And today, we are at the stage where we can treat covid with both medicine and diet, thanks to those who researched the post covid treatment and helped to come out of this pandemic.

Let us talk about the post covid diet plan in India and discuss other dimensions regarding the post covid recovery in India.

Table of content

1. Diet Plan For Covid Patients In India

2. Foods For Covid Patients

3. Homemade Kadha For Covid Patients

4. Dietitian Recommendation

5. The Final Say

6. FAQs

Diet Plan For Covid Patients In India

To treat the covid patients, we need to boost immunity first to treat the symptoms. Here is a sample diet which makes up most of the required nutrients for post-covid recovery in patients.

Early morning- Cinnamon and turmeric water with chia seeds + 5 soaked almonds

Breakfast- Upma 1 serving with 1 glass warm turmeric milk/ 2 methi thepla with curd/ lehsun chutney.

Mid snacks- 1 bowl of pomegranate / 1 pear.

Lunch- 2 ragi roti with mixed dal 1 serving and French bean sabzi + 1 serving with 1 bowl of cucumber and tomato salad/ 1.5 serving vegetable pulao with 1 bowl of vegetable raita.

Afternoon- 1 big cup of warm Ginger and tulsi kadha / 1 big cup of warm clove and tulsi kadha.

Evening snacks- 1 serving of roasted chana/ 1 big bowl of tomato and spinach soup.

Dinner- 1 serving of Chicken curry with 1 bajra roti and 1 bowl of rajma salad/ 1 serving of vegetable oats with 1 bowl of boiled masala moth beans

ToneOp Note: The above diet has all the vital nutrients, including proteins, carbs, good fats, vitamins and minerals, which will recover the body well.

Foods For Covid Patients

1. Potatoes

Rich in starch, potatoes \balance the body's fluid as they contain potassium, which prevents dehydration. Because covid-19 is a respiratory disease, dehydration can thicken the respiratory secretions and make it hard to clear the lungs.

You can simply make potato sabzi or stuffed paratha with potato to increase the intake of starch. Other than potatoes, you can also have sweet potatoes and yam.

2. Soups 

Fluid intake helps hydrate the body well, and combining some proteins and vegetables like tomato, spinach, kidney beans, oats, and quinoa enhances the nutrition of the soup.

Also, having a warm soup helps to increase the flow of mucus and excrete the virus soon out of the body.

3. Coconut Water 

Tender coconut water has many benefits and nutritional values. First, it helps to maintain the electrolyte balance of the body. Hence, drinking fresh coconut water helps to boost immunity also as it is rich in sodium, potassium and calcium, which are essential for the body post covid to overcome weakness.

4. Whole Fruits And Veggies

Whole fruits and veggies contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, strengthening immunity. Fruits and veggies also have anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce inflammation in the body by enhancing recovery post covid. Fresh fruits like oranges, grapes, kiwi, pineapple, watermelon, and cucumber should be consumed for better health. 

A study published in September 2021 in the journal named Gut found that a plant-based diet lowered the risk of developing COVID-19 and reduced symptom severity for those who acquired the virus. 

5. Whole Grains, Popcorn And Oats

Whole grains, popcorn and oats contain anti-inflammatory properties, which provide many benefits to patients suffering from covid and lower inflammation.

You can simply consume popcorn, roasted oat flakes, or popped whole grains or its chivda, readily available in the market.

6. Fish

Fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel contain omega-3 fatty acids, boost immunity, and prevent inflammation in the body. These fish also have a good amount of protein to overcome muscle loss.

7. Curd 

Curd is rich in proteins, fats, calcium, and probiotics. It is highly beneficial for patients in recovery post covid. Curd consumption also helps to soothe digestion and reduce the symptoms of covid in patients.

8. Plant-Based Protein

COVID decreases food consumption because of shortness of breath or loss of appetite. Foods high in protein are essential for keeping muscle mass intact when you are likely cutting back on physical activity; for example, adding pulses, legumes, and nuts to your diet will provide strength; also, to increase stamina naturally include soya chunks in your diet.

Another good option is a protein shake, which will be easier to consume if you are too tired to cook a meal.

Homemade Kadha For Covid Patients

ToneOp brings you immune-boosting drinks that help curb the symptoms of covid, protect the body, and provide loads of antioxidants.

1. Immunity Boosting Kadha

Ingredients

• Ginger- 1 inch
• Black pepper- 4 to 5 no.
• Badi elaichi- 1 pod
• Clove- 2 no.
• Jaggery or honey- ⅕ tsp
• Cinnamon stick- 1 small
• Tulsi- 7 to 8 leaves
• Fresh turmeric/turmeric powder- 1 tsp
• Black raisins- 7 to 8 no.

Preparation Method

1. Crush the ginger and fresh turmeric and make a rough paste.

2. Take a deep bowl, add water, let it boil and add turmeric and ginger.

3. After 2-3 minutes, add all the other spices and let it boil until the water reduces to half.

4. Add jaggery or honey at last and sieve and drink warm.

2. Tulsi, Giloy And Pepper Kadha

Tulsi, giloy and black pepper are highly beneficial and excellent for improving immunity. Where tulsi is rich in vitamin C and zinc, adding giloy to your diet will enhance immunity. Likewise, the Health benefits of black pepper have been in sight for years. Together, this amalgamation of these ingredients can do miracles for your health.

Ingredients

• Dry ginger powder- ½ tsp
• Giloy powder- 1 tsp
• Tulsi- 7 to 8 leaves
• Black pepper powder- ⅓ tsp
• Cinnamon- 1 small stick

Preparation Method

1. Add half a cup of water to a bowl and let it boil.

2. Now add dry ginger powder, cinnamon and tulsi and keep boiling it for 4-5 minutes on a medium flame.

3. Now add giloy powder and cinnamon stick and let the water boil until it reduces in half. At last, add the black pepper powder and boil for 2 minutes; keep it aside for 10-15 minutes, then sieve and drink warm.

Dietitian’s Recommendation

Above are all the tried and tested tips and tricks and diet plans loaded with health benefits for patients recovering from covid. Other than that, some quick tips for relief from a blocked nose and coughing are below.

You can dry roast the Ajwain on the tava for 2-3 minutes on sim flame and roll it in a small packet. Then, inhale that Ajwain often to prevent a blocked nose and increase mucus secretion, which helps to unclog the lungs and relieve the respiratory issue.

You can also make tulsi and Ajwain kadha, which is excellent for people with a runny nose and sore throat. Boil Ajwain and tulsi in water for 10 minutes, add 1 tsp honey and drink it twice a day for 1 week. It helps to reduce soreness.

Also, you can add some Ajwain seeds to the water while taking steam; it also unclogs the clogged mucus.

Dt. Akshata Gandevikar

The Final Say

A diet plan that helps recover from covid is incredibly beneficial because it is balanced with immunity-boosting foods and other nutrients that make the body recover fast. Also, including some foods and some kadha in the diet provides extra benefits to the covid patients.

Maintain good fluid retention, as hydration is the key to preventing urinary infections. Add reasonable amounts of multivitamins, minerals & trace elements to the diet: 

• Vitamin C - 1-2g/day
• Vitamin D – 10-1000mcg/day
• Vitamin A – to be consumed through diet
• Vitamin E – 134-800mg/day
• Zinc – 30-220mg
• Vitamin C – 200mg- 2gm

The above micronutrients increase your body's T-cells & B-cells (antibodies) and will help in COVID recovery.

FAQs

1. How to manage dry cough in covid patients?

You can drink tulsi and honey kadha to treat dry cough, and you also can have turmeric milk. Try to consume as many fluids as you can and take steam often.

2. Can eating veggies and fruits without washing transfer the virus?

No, but washing them before eating can surely help to work as a precaution to curb the transmission of the virus.

3. What are the foods to be consumed by covid patients?

Fruits that are juicy and vitamin-rich, green veggies, potatoes, and some immune-boosting foods like turmeric, tulsi, and ginger are best for consumption by covid patients.

4. Which foods to avoid for covid patients?

Sugary and processed foods should be avoided, which can lower your immunity and increase the chances of infections.

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