: Are You Feeling Constantly Tired Post Covid Recovery? Heres A Diet Plan For You #IndiaNEWS #Coronavirus This article is a part of a series by The Better India to share verified information about COVID-19

Are You Feeling Constantly Tired Post Covid Recovery? Heres A Diet Plan For You #IndiaNEWS #Coronavirus
This article is a part of a series by The Better India to share verified information about COVID-19 care. While several posts on various aspects of fighting COVID-19 are being circulated on social media and messaging services like WhatsApp, we urge you not to trust unverified content. To separate fact from fiction, we will be sharing the videos and content with doctors and experts and bring you their responses with scientific research-backed information.
If you or someone you know has recovered from COVID-19, you must be wondering about the right diet and nutrition.
Dr Archana Batra, a dietitian and certified diabetes educator based in Gurugram and Dr Bela Sharma, additional director, Internal Medicine, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, help us understand how important it is to focus on nutrition and immunity post COVID-19 recovery.
1. Once someone tests negative for COVID-19, what kind of nutrition do they need?
Dr Batra: Post recovery, it is ideal to follow a balanced diet with a lot of emphasis on protein, calcium and protective foods like fruits and vegetables. This is not the time to focus on losing weight. It is important that you consume adequate calories so as to regain health and stamina.
Consider having small frequent meals rather than one large meal. Having three main meals, and two to three healthy snacks in between, might be helpful. Include proteins in every meal since proteins help speed up recovery.
If during your isolation period, you have spent a lot of time under bedrest, you might have lost a lot of muscle mass. This hampers immunity, strength and can also prolong recovery. Therefore, consciously include protein-rich foods in your diet.
2. Any particular food group one must consume consciously?
Dr Archana Batra
Dr Batra: Yes, as mentioned earlier, make proteins your best friend. Protein requirements depend upon age, physical activity, height and weight of the person. Eating protein throughout the day is more beneficial than consuming one protein-heavy meal.
Protein supplements can also be included if the protein requirement cannot be met through food.
As a guideline, consume 25 to 35 g of protein at each of your three meals and 10 to 20 g at each of the two to three snacks per day. Another good way is to consume proteins anywhere between 1 to 1. 5 g for every kilo of body weight.
4. Is there a chance of contracting COVID-19 more than once?
Dr Bela Sharma
Dr Sharma: Yes, the chances of re-infection are high. One has to continue to maintain COVID-19 appropriate behaviour. However, chances of re-infection are not immediate and might happen after three to six months from the first infection.
5. When is it appropriate to start mild exercise/walks post recovery?
Dr Sharma: This should be governed by how each individual feels post recovery.