Tested Positive for COVID-19? Here's What You Should Eat

Two red lines, the test came back positive. You have COVID-19. Now it's clear why you've had the fever, cough, and fatigue. You're settling into isolation, and now you just have to wait to recover.

Just wait? Not at all. There are many things you can do to help your body tackle the illness, with Hashem's help. Here are some nutritional tips to support you in the coming days.

Recommended Foods

• It's advisable to stick to homemade meals and avoid industrial food. It's also good to ensure your food is fresh. If cooking is difficult, opt for a whole-grain sandwich filled with healthy spreads, vegetables, nuts, etc., rather than processed schnitzel.
• Enrich your diet with high-protein foods like eggs, fish, lean meat, legumes, tofu or soy, various cheeses and dairy products, nuts, and also edamame.
• Choose foods containing complex carbohydrates over those with simple carbohydrates. For example, prefer whole-grain bread rather than white, whole-grain pasta instead of regular, as well as legumes, quinoa, oatmeal, and pearl barley.
• Fill your menu with fruits and vegetables. These contain antioxidants, essential minerals, and vitamins.
• Enhance your diet with healthy fats like olive oil, *tahini*, avocado, chia seeds, and various nuts.
• To boost your probiotic balance, consume a yogurt daily.
• Throughout the day, drink plenty – and choose water or green tea (which also contains antioxidants) over other beverages.
• Of course, avoid snacks and sweets, sugary drinks, and similar items.
• Simultaneously, consider adding dietary supplements, especially vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc – which strengthen the immune system. Naturally, you can also find these vitamins in various foods:
  • Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits, kiwi, peppers of all colors, broccoli, cauliflower, strawberries, and generally in fruits and vegetables.
  • Vitamin D is found in fatty foods like eggs, fish, and dairy products.
  • Zinc is available in legumes, whole grains, and animal-derived foods like milk, eggs, fish, and meat.

When Should You Eat?

Often, when you're ill, especially with COVID-19, you might lose your appetite. With COVID-19, you may also lose your sense of taste and smell. However, not eating may, Heaven forbid, lead to malnutrition. Therefore, even without appetite, ensure you have three varied meals daily.

Even if you have no such symptoms and feel well, it's crucial to maintain regular meals. Otherwise, out of boredom in isolation, you might find yourself overeating. Keep yourself occupied with non-food-related activities to prevent unnecessary weight gain.

When Experiencing Digestive Issues

One common COVID-19 symptom, which can persist even after recovery, is various digestive issues. This includes constipation, diarrhea, a feeling of fullness, heartburn, and other disturbances. If you have digestive issues, it's crucial to get individual recommendations from a dietitian on managing these symptoms. Sometimes it's best to add specialized probiotics and digestive enzymes to your diet.

If you've already recovered from COVID-19 but continue to experience digestive problems for an extended period, do not neglect them. Seek advice from a gastroenterologist.

Get well soon!