Dietitian Vaida Kurpienė’s advice on what is best to eat when sick

“We draw the attention of our customers and employees to the importance of nutrition for health. After all, vitamins, minerals and other valuable substances derived from food affect everyone’s immunity. Therefore, we constantly ensure a rich selection of fresh fruits, vegetables and other healthy products. We also consulted with specialists and shared advice on how to prepare food so that, in case of illness, it is not a burden on the body, but helps to recover “, says Ernesta Dapkienė, Director of the Department of Communication and Image of the Lithuanian retail chain Maxima.

Maintain fluid balance

If you feel symptoms of illness caused by the virus, health professionals recommend resting, maintaining fluid balance, and sleeping well. Dietitian Vaida Kurpienė says that food helps the body fight disease by distributing energy correctly. “It is very important not to overeat, to consume easily digestible products. It is better to eat more often and in smaller portions. And if your appetite is gone, don’t force yourself to eat. But drink fluids like hot tea regularly, don’t let your body get dehydrated ”, advises the dietitian.

According to V. Kurpienė, if the patient no longer feels thirsty, it is a sign that the body urgently needs to restore fluid balance. Because in the absence of fluids, the body cannot fight the inflammation caused by the virus at full capacity. “It can be difficult to drink pure water on its own, so it is better to choose hot tea and drink a little throughout the day. The selection of teas is abundant, only drink a low concentration of teas. Various herbal teas are suitable; you can consult a doctor or pharmacist before choosing ”, says V. Kurpienė and points out that when drinking black or green tea, it is important to keep in mind, because these drinks contain caffeine. If you do not want to eat while sick, you can drink sugary tea, which is not it is recommended for healthy people.

A hot drink is not always a benefit.

The dietitian also notes that honey or lemon added to hot tea loses many of its healing properties due to high temperature. “It is better to suck a teaspoon of honey than to dissolve it in hot water,” says V. Kurpienė.

In general, drinking very hot tea quickly, according to the dietitian, can do more harm than good: “When a sore throat suffers, the hot liquid can further worsen the condition of the irritated mucous membrane and prolong rather than shorten the process. healing. Therefore, allow the tea to drink and drink a little so that the body absorbs the fluids better. “

It is important to eat well and get adequate rest.

V. Kurpienė recommends that a healthy person eat fresh vegetables at least twice a day, while boiled or stewed products would be more suitable in case of illness, because these foods are easier to digest. Various stews, soups, porridges – dishes rich in various nutrients that do not overload the body. Various fruits are a good source of energy for illnesses because they are rich in valuable substances, natural sugars, fiber, and fluids.

The interlocutor emphasizes that it is very important to fall asleep when sick, and daytime sleep is valuable and restorative. It’s worth taking a break from work and focusing on recovery. “Plan to finish the job when you are well and recovered. If you work sick, the healing process will take time because it will deplete much of the strength your body needs to fight disease. Also, the work is probably not very productive and the results are worse, ”says V. Kurpienė.

Another extreme, according to the dietitian, is the great desire of loved ones to pamper a sick person. “Everyone wants a sick family member or friend to feel better. And the easiest way to pamper a person with foods, such as sweets, flour cakes and similar products that are high in sugar, raises blood glucose levels, which in turn can lead to inflammatory processes. For this reason, it is worth limiting sweets for a sick person, as well as for a healthy person ”, advises the specialist.