Alright, so we work out and are already vaccinated against COVID-19. We wear face masks. What else can we do to lower the risk of catching COVID and passing it on to others? (considering that vaccines are not 100% effective and that we will need boosters later on anyway).

Credit: AdventHealth University, 2021

DIET.

Having an excellent diet during the COVID-19 crisis is recommended because poor nutrition is associated with oxidative stress, which makes us prone to disease. Sufficient protein intake is crucial when producing more antibodies. Especially important dietary constituents include vitamin C (citrus), vitamin E, and phytochemicals such as carotenoids and polyphenols (your veggies) [ 1 ].

In other words, a varied diet that includes lean proteins and lots of veggies is a good idea.

This doesn’t mean that we are not allowed to eat burgers, pizzas, and whatever junk food we might like, but rather that most days we strive to eat clean. 

An easy strategy to follow is to eat healthier during the weekdays and to let Saturday and Sunday be our cheat days. This way, most of our intake during a 7 day week will come from exceptional food of increased nutritional value.

The key here is to ask ourselves this:

How good is the food I eat on average?

Is the food I consume helping me in any way in this crisis?

How can I change?

Start by incorporating tea in your diet.

Special attention is recommended for individuals with a BMI of over 25.0.

Consult your doctor for help in developing a long-term weight loss plan.