Dr Musenero tips of proper feeding to fight COVID-19

Jun 30, 2020

Experts recommend eating a well-balanced diet to make the body healthier,  strengthen the immune system, hence lowering the risk of chronic illnesses and infectious diseases.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, many families around the world have been affected - mainly with no food to eat because of the financial challenges due to unemployment and loss of income.

However, experts recommend eating a well-balanced diet to make the body healthier,  strengthen the immune system, hence lowering the risk of chronic illnesses and infectious diseases.

Monica Musenero, the Presidential Advisor on COVID-19, says there have been several harvests which have made food affordable for the citizens in the country.

For example, Musenero says maize, bananas, sweet potatoes and cassava are the fresh, unprocessed foods required by the body.

"Eating a variety of fresh unprocessed foods daily helps the body to receive vitamins, minerals, iron, proteins and antioxidants that the body needs to keep it strong and immune from illnesses," explains Musenero.

Food that should be eaten 

Musenero advises eating fruits and vegetables daily because they contain vitamins C and D which help the body to fight infectious illnesses such as cough and flu among others. 

If fruits and vegetables are added to the diet, Musenero explains that they contain nutrients that protect the body from heart diseases and stroke.

"For example fruits such as lemons, oranges, mangoes, passion fruits and vegetables like red and green amaranths should be eaten daily for they contain lots of vitamins which boost the immunity of the body," explains Musenero.

She says the healthy immune system protects the body from viruses and bacteria.

Fruits help keep away coughs and colds
Fruits help keep away coughs and colds

The body would be ill constantly without the health immune system in the body, the presidential advisor adds.

Additionally, Musenero advises drinking eight to 10 litres of water a day. Water is essential for transporting nutrients in blood and getting out waste.

Diet for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers

According to Musenero, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should eat diet which is rich in iron to prevent the risks of infections such as cough and cold.

Musenero explains that iron foods such as leafy green and red amaranths increase milk production which helps breastfeeding mothers to maintain the milk supply to sustain the baby.

"The food which is rich in iron also helps both the foetus and the newborn baby to grow," advises Musenero.

"Calcium food like millet is important to produce milk for newborn babies. Breastfeeding mothers should eat millet, leafy green vegetables like spinach and broccoli to regain the calcium that is lost after breastfeeding," Musenero advises.

For babies, Musenero advises mothers to breast feed them for the first six months to help them gain a healthy and balanced diet which is essential for their growth.

Musenero says breast milk contains anti bodies which protect the baby against illnesses.

Food hygiene

For breastfeeding mothers, Musenero says they should wash their hands with water and soap before breastfeeding the children to protect the baby from acquiring bacteria infection that can cause illnesses.

Additionally, Musenero advises washing hands with water and soap before preparing food, fruits, vegetables and juice.

"The fruits should also be washed with water before eating or making juice to prevent the contamination of germs that may be on the fruits," advises Musenero. 

Caution

However, even when WHO commends the washing of fruits, vegetables and all the food varieties with water and cleaning of hands before preparing them.

It further clarifies that there is no clear evidence yet that food varieties spread COVID-19.

 

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