So you just tested positive for COVID-19 and you have to isolate in the house. The end of quarantine seems like an eternity away and you have to figure out how to occupy your time. Although it’s unfair, some people have no symptoms or mild symptoms, while others can barely move and feel like death. No matter what your symptoms are, it’s important to remember that you have a virus in your system and boosting immunity is paramount.
As with any sickness, proper nutrition and hydration are vital aspects to a speedy recovery. Eating fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains help diversify your nutritional intake and replenish the body with antioxidants. Hydrating can also expedite the waste elimination process and keep the body feeling healthy. Drinking water helps to regulate body temperature and transport nutrients and compounds in the blood.
There are foods that you shouldn’t eat after receiving a positive COVID-19 test result. This is because certain foods can slow the recovery process or impair immune function. It’s beneficial to avoid processed foods because they contain added sugars, preservatives, sodium, and unhealthy fats. It’s also beneficial to avoid fried foods, sugary drinks, and the other foods in this article.
Avoid Spicy Foods
Typically, health experts encourage people to eat spicy foods if they are feeling down because it promotes decongestion. In the case of COVID-19, however, it’s better to avoid spicy foods because they can irritate the throat and cause you to cough more. If congestion is the issue, you may benefit from a little heat in your food. To play it safe, though, eat on the milder side.
Fried Foods
Greasy, fried, fast foods are rich in unhealthy fats. Consuming these foods can impair immune function, and your immune system needs all the help it can get if you have COVID-19. Additionally, these foods can negatively affect gut microbiome, which also suppresses immunity. During the frying process, foods become calorically dense, as the outer layer is replete with fat or oil. The oils in which people fry foods can contain trans fat, which has the ability to increases LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
Processed Foods
If it comes in a package and contains processed ingredients, it’s best to avoid it. Sodium, preservatives, additives, dyes, artificial flavors, and added sugars can cause inflammation in the body. The higher amount of omega-6 fatty acids and sodium further the inflammatory process. If you have a higher amount of inflammation in the body, the immune system cannot perform optimally. That leaves you more susceptible to developing symptoms and extends recovery time from the illness.
Sugary Drinks
It can be tempting to crack open a can of sugary soda or packaged juice, but many of these beverages contain added sugars. This also goes for a carton or bottle orange juice, which many people believe is the best source of vitamin C. You can drink orange juice, but it’s best to drink cold-pressed or freshly made varieties to ensure quality freshness. As stated in the previous paragraphs, added sugars contribute to inflammation in the body. If you crave carbonation, consider sparkling water to get your fix of bubbles.
Red Meat
Yet another food item that can promote inflammation in the body. Red meat has a high amount of saturated fat, which increases both inflammatory markers and cholesterol levels. Instead of eating foods with saturated fats, it’s better to enjoy foods with monounsaturated fats. Some of the best foods that contain monounsaturated fats include avocados, wild caught salmon, olive oil, nuts, and legumes like beans and lentils.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
