RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Redoubling care with the sanitization of fruits, vegetables, and packages of industrialized products is crucial at this time of the Covid-19 pandemic, a disease caused by the coronavirus.
Food itself is not a source of transmission, but it can be handled by someone infected and, if not correctly cleansed, with plenty of running water and soap, it can spread the disease.
Hence, all care is insufficient when taking food home, placing it on the table and eating it. The alert is from the nutritionist of the Municipal Health Department (SMS) Ana Kelly Amaral.
The nutritionist’s guidance is that fruits and vegetables are washed with a loofah and soap and rinsed with plenty of running water. The packages of beans, rice, flour, and pasta should be discarded and the food packed in containers. Regarding salads, the expert recommends soaking them in plenty of water with a few drops of bleach.
“It’s important to remember that if the food contains a trace of saliva from someone who is infected, a person may catch the disease by touching it or ingesting it without sanitizing it properly,” she explains.
Another care pointed out by the nutritionist is related to the plastic bags and cardboard boxes that pack the groceries. “Ideally, they should be discarded at the door before going into the house,” she says.
Children
It is a well-known fact that a healthy and nutrient-rich diet is one of the key factors for ensuring immunity. With the coronavirus pandemic, a balanced diet becomes one of the main factors for the body to stay strong and resistant to the virus, particularly when it comes to children.
The nutritionist recalls that the ingestion of healthy and well-sanitized food is an additional concern for parents during the quarantine period.
At this time of social isolation, kids tend to become more anxious and end up eating more junk that is much less healthy. Therefore, the nutritionist stresses that the children’s diet also requires attention.
“The diet needs to be rich in vegetables and fruits which are sources of vitamins and minerals, thus boosting immunity. I recommend as little industrialized foods as possible,” she stresses.
Ana Kelly recommends the consumption of good carbohydrates, such as cassava, yams and sweet potatoes. “If you’re going to feed them bread, avoid those with white flour and offer them wholemeal and oatmeal”, she points out.
Another tip from the nutritionist to boost the defense system of children is the intake of nuts and foods that are a source of healthy fat and rich in antioxidants.
On the list of banned foods are industrialized sweets, sodium-rich snacks and yoghurts loaded with sugar and colorings.
“It is important for families to know what to leave in the pantry and also to impose meal times for children. The fewer sweets and industrialized products, the easier it is to have a healthy diet”, concludes the nutritionist.
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