7 nutrition tips for patients recovering from coronavirus

A large percentage of coronavirus patients fortunately recover after treatment at home or hospital. However, even after recovery, the loss of appetite and the lethargy lingers. Patients with complicated symptoms who were in the hospital ICU or were kept on ventilators, remain weak long after recovery. They may have difficulty in eating. So due attention must be paid to the nutrition of patients recovering from coronavirus.

1. Dry mouth is a problem for those who have had to use oxygen, nasal cannula and such for long. This makes it difficult to taste or swallow food. In such a case, the patient must drink at 6 to 8 glasses of water day after returning home from hospital. Drink fruit juice, milk and other liquids are also beneficial.

2. Drinking milk will help meet the protein and nutritional requirements of a patient after recovery and will also prevent osteoporosis. Also beneficial for a recovering patient is Vitamin-D enriched food such as mushrooms, egg yolk, sea fish, fish oil, etc. The body must be exposed to the sun every day.

3. When determining the diet, it must be noted whether the patient had diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney problems or a heart condition. Excessive sugar and salt must be avoided. However, decisions also depend on a whether a patient suffers from electrolyte imbalance.

4. Fresh fruit and vegetables help in ensuring a speedy recovery.

5. Chicken and vegetable broth is particularly important for patients who have undergone treatment in ICU. They may also be given rice cooked very soft, mashed with vegetables, or khichuri (soft rice and lentils).

6. It is better not to drink too much water before or between meals. It is better to drink water in small amounts throughout the day.

7. With weight loss and weakening of the bones, it is important for the recovering patient to have food enriched with proteins, calories, vitamin and minerals. A nutritionist may be consulted.

Jennifer Binte Huque is a nutritionist