Since the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine started, people have been advised to take precautions by staying home and avoiding close contact with others. A big part of this isolation is diet – people are being told to avoid touching their faces and eat food that is easy to digest and won’t make them sick. such as high blood pressure or Type 2 diabetes, that same 5 or 10 pounds may represent a potentially severe change in health status
While this may seem like a sensible plan, it could be doing more harm than good. By eating nothing but bland, easy-to-digest foods, you’re depriving your body of essential nutrients and increasing your risk of getting sick.
What you eat during a quarantine can be as important as what you don’t eat. Make sure you include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet and lean protein and healthy fats.
In addition to weight gain, signs that your quarantine diet is affecting your health include:
Heartburn
Heartburn, also called acid reflux, is a burning feeling in your chest that often occurs after eating. The symptoms can range from mild to severe. They may include a sour taste in your mouth, a hoarse voice, trouble swallowing, or heartburn that wakes you up at night. In addition, you may have heartburn if you have GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).
Heartburn is often treated with drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), and esomeprazole (Nexium). PPIs are the most prescribed drugs in the United States.
Sleep disturbances
A recent study published in the “Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine” found that sleep disturbances are common during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study surveyed 2,019 people in the United States, Canada, and Europe who were self-isolating because of suspected or confirmed exposure to COVID-19.
Results showed that 58 percent of respondents reported at least one sleep disturbance in the previous two weeks, such as difficulty falling asleep (27 percent), difficulty staying asleep (23 percent), and nightmares (10 percent).
People over age 60 were more likely to report sleep disturbances than those younger than 60. In addition, people with preexisting conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes were more likely to report sleep disturbances.
Constipation
Constipation is a common side-effect of quarantine diets. Straining to have a bowel movement can cause hemorrhoids and anal fissures. It can also lead to problems with your urinary tract and even increase your risk for a heart attack. So, what can you do to avoid constipation? First, drink plenty of fluids. Eight glasses of water per day should be your goal. If you’re not a big fan of water, try drinking juice, tea, or broth.
Second, eat plenty of fibre. It helps keep things moving through your digestive system. Good sources of fibre include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. Third, exercise regularly. Exercise helps stimulate the bowels and keeps them healthy. Fourth, avoid processed foods and sugary drinks. These foods can slow down digestion and contribute to constipation.
Increased blood pressure
It’s no secret that maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle is essential for keeping your blood pressure in check. But what if your quarantine diet is making your blood pressure worse? Recent studies suggest that eating many processed foods and salt may be linked to increased blood pressure.
If you’re currently experiencing high blood pressure, now is the time to focus on eating fresh, whole foods low in sodium. This means avoiding processed foods, fast food, and restaurant fare.
Instead, try cooking at home using whole ingredients. You can also add plenty of fruits and vegetables to your diet, which is naturally low in sodium. Making these changes may help lower your blood pressure and help improve other aspects of your health.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a common symptom of both infectious and non-infectious diseases. It can be caused by many factors, including infection, inflammation, medications, and psychological factors. In addition to its impact on daily activities, fatigue can also lead to social isolation and reduced quality of life. While the cause of fatigue should be determined and treated if possible, some measures can be taken to improve energy levels in the meantime.
Eating a healthy diet is one meaningful way to help reduce fatigue. However, it can be challenging to know what is considered a healthy diet during a pandemic. There are many conflicting messages about what is safe to eat during a quarantine. Some people avoid all fruits and vegetables because they are unsure which ones are safe. Others eat only fruits and vegetables because they believe that all other foods are unsafe.
Changing the Menu
Diet is a critical part of recovering from an illness, but what if your diet makes you sicker? Most people in quarantine are on a bland diet of boiled chicken, white rice, and steamed vegetables. This type of diet can be very monotonous and lead to boredom, leading to cheating or not sticking to the diet at all. Tufts Medical Center. An affair can lead to more severe health problems and further setbacks in your recovery.
A recent study showed that when rats were put on a “quarantine diet,” they lost weight and had less energy. The rats also had a more challenging time recovering from the illness. The study showed that it is essential to have a varied diet while quarantined to maintain your energy level and help you recover faster. So what should you eat while you are quarantined?
