Food & Nutrition Tips During Self Quarantine

Introduction

Good health is as much an outcome of proactively fortifying your immune system and strengthening your bones and muscles, as it is defending yourself against disease and injury through safety and hygiene measures. What we eat is capable of protecting us against infections and facilitating better recovery. The present global health crisis compels us to pay attention to our health (both mental and physical) in order to survive the pandemic with our sanity intact. Eating healthy is one of the many things we should do to stay fit.

Tips for Healthy Eating

There is no dearth of nutrition advice out there. Physicians, nutritionists, fitness instructors and government agencies are constantly sharing data, useful information and health food tips to encourage better eating habits. Here are some of the easiest ways to ensure that you are eating properly and being kind to your body - a habit that will ensure physical and mental wellness. It is a good practice to consult your physician on diet and nutrition advice if you suffer from underlying health conditions.

1. Consume Fresh, Home-Cooked Meals

Working from home and restrictions on socialization has cleared up time in the day for cooking. Cooking has emerged as an act of self-care and pastime, allowing families to participate in a common activity together. Meals cooked at home are more nutritious, cleaner and safer to consume than anything you purchase from a restaurant or cafe. Ensuring proper quality of ingredients, following hygiene practices such as cleaning meats and vegetables thoroughly and using less unhealthy ingredients such as saturated fats, salt and sugar are possible to implement only at home. Safety protocols must be followed in handling food items such as washing hands properly, sanitizing surfaces, keeping food at appropriate temperature, etc. Cooking at home in a controlled environment is the safest way to have your meals prepared.

Including essential food groups such as fibre, protein, and balanced portions of carbohydrates and fats is the key to maintaining a wholesome diet.

2. Avoid Unhealthy Food Groups

Cooking at home doesn’t mean overindulging in foods high in salt, sugar or trans-fat. There is a tendency to overeat in moments of boredom or as a coping mechanism. Avoiding sugary, fatty foods, sweetened beverages, processed foods and even alcohol will impact your overall well-being and feeling of wellness. Consuming fresh fruits and vegetables, juices and leaner cuts of meat is advisable over anything else. Stressful periods have us all reaching out for comfort foods that provide a feeling of fullness and help ground you. Indulging in these foods occasionally is completely fine as long as it doesn't become a habit.

3. Hydrate

Drinking water and fresh juices cleanses the body of toxins. Hydrating properly also prevents headaches, muscle spasms and keeps fatigue at bay. Drinking at least 2-3 litres of water a day flushes out waste from your body. Even in times of sickness, consuming fluids is advised by physicians to clear toxins and maintain proper organ function. Hydration also contributes towards keeping your skin and hair healthy.

Strong tea or coffee, soft drinks, syrups and canned beverages should be avoided. If you prefer that your water have flavour, infusing it with fresh fruit like berries or herbs like mint or rosemary, add a great twist.

4. Eat Together

Eating meals with other members of your household at a fixed time makes the experience more fulfilling. Instead of staring at a TV screen or mindlessly browsing your phone, sitting at the dining table, at a fixed time and consuming each meal mindfully ensures that you eat your food properly and consume only what you need. It is a good way to regulate your intake of food and prevent overeating.

Meals also provide the platform to spend quality time with loved ones and check how their day went. It opens up room for important conversations that we are often too busy to have through the course of the day.

Conclusion

Eating healthy meals is only one way to protect your health. Another way to protect yourself and your family is to buy health insurance. Health insurance secures your finances against sudden illness, expensive treatments and hospitalization expenses. Select the right health insurance for yourself and secure your family's future. Trusted insurance schemes are available at affordable health insurance premiums giving everyone access to quality healthcare in their time of need.