Nutrition is important when it comes to recovering from COVID-19. Here are a few suggestions from the team at Alberta Health Services:
- Try to eat every two to three hours and include a protein when you eat. Try a higher-fat milk than usual, or a higher-fat cheese. Choose Greek or Icelandic yogurt instead of regular yogurt.
- Remember to drink enough fluid. Try water, milk, broth, sports drinks, or nutrition supplement drinks. Take sips every few minutes if you cannot drink all at once.
- Keep liquids by your bedside so you can sip them if you wake up at night. Try water, fruit juice, or sports drinks.
- Even a small increase in protein may help you maintain or gain weight and strength. Choose nuts or trail mix as a snack, add nut butter to crackers or toast, or add skim milk powder or protein powder to smoothies.
- A healthy diet helps keep your immune system at its best. Your body needs more protein and calories when fighting an infection such as COVID-19. Try adding extra beef, chicken, or tuna to casseroles, stew, vegetable dishes, or soups.
If you are struggling, 211 Alberta is a free, confidential service that offers information on food hampers, free or low-cost meals, and school meal programs. Call 211 or text INFO to 211 or go to www.ab.211.ca and click on “live chat.”.
