According to Aspen, hydration and nutrition play an important role in your body's response to and recovery from the COVID-19 virus and are an essential part of your medical treatment. 

The following information was pulled from nutritioncare.org.COVID19 and can give you some guidelines on ways to meet the nutritional needs of someone with the virus.

Background

In the US, only around 12 percent of those infected with COVID-19 will require hospitalization. The remaining 88 percent are people who will manage their illness and recover at home.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough and shortness of breath; these symptoms are usually accompanied by fatigue and loss of appetite.

Nutrition and hydration are central to recovery

With an infection, the body must work intensely to mount an immune response. High fever is the immune system's way of revving up metabolism to "battle the bug." Fever is also associated with excess loss of fluids and increased metabolism which can lead to dehydration and increased nutritional requirements.

Even though you may not be thirsty or hungry, it is important that you continue to eat and drink fluids to support your body's ability to fight the virus and support your body's immune function.

Protein and calories are important to protect against muscle loss while fighting COVID-19, especially if you are bedridden or inactive.

For more information, visit nutritioncare.org/COVID19.

What makes food and drink important?

When our body is fighting an infection it needs more energy and more fluids; therefore we need to eat and drink more than we usually would if we were well. Our body also needs more building blocks (from protein foods) to support our immune system and help repair our body tissues during recovery. Vitamins and minerals help these processes along.

When we are unwell it is difficult to eat and drink for many reasons. If we do not eat and drink enough our body may need to use its natural stores of energy, protein, minerals and vitamins; you may notice some weight loss or your muscles getting smaller and weaker. We hope the tips in this leaflet help to limit these changes in your body.

What can you do to make the most of your food and drink in hospital?

Choosing from the menu –

select the higher protein / higher energy options and ask for extra desserts or snacks (e.g. yoghurt, custard, rice pudding or cheese) to give your body the extra energy and extra protein it needs. Aim to have three portions of protein daily.

Supplement drinks –

these can be useful if you are eating less than usual due to poor appetite, breathing difficulties or fatigue; also if you have lost weight or muscle mass. You can ask your nurse or doctor to refer you to the ward dietitian who can advise on the most suitable supplement drinks; most of which are lactose free and Kosher approved.

Drinking more fluid –

set yourself a target to drink two jugs of water each day; remember soups, supplement drinks, milk, juice and moist foods all give you fluids too. Try drinking at the end of the meal - drinking before or during a meal may cause you to feel too full.

Try eating little and often –

for example, choose smaller meals (marked S on the menu) plus snacks rather than three larger meals. Eat slowly, take smaller bites, and breathe deeply while chewing. Eat while sitting up and choose foods that are easier to chew or softer to make it easier to breathe.

Coping with nausea or changes in taste/smell –

regularly clean your teeth/dentures or ask nursing staff for mouth wash or mouth care. Try sharp, spicy or sugary foods if you experience taste changes as they have a stronger taste. For nausea, plainer foods may be better tolerated. Ask ward staff for sauces or extra salt/pepper to add more taste to meals. For a dry mouth try sucking on fruit sweets, ice lollies, mints or chewing gum as these can stimulate saliva production.

What Coronavirus Patients Should And Shouldn't Eat While Recovering

Components of a COVID-19 recovery diet

What you eat and drink now will play a huge role in boosting your immune system and that, in turn, will determine how quickly you’re able to get back on your feet. The World Health Organization (WHO), UK’s National Health Service (NHS) and the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) have provided many dietary recommendations through the months of the pandemic. Based on all of these guidelines, a proper recovery diet for COVID-19 patients should include the following categories of nutrition.

1. Calories:Your body has been drained of energy, so calorie-dense foods are what you need to get your energy levels back up. Include rice, potatoes, bread, pasta, whole grains and cereals in your diet, but avoid foods with empty calories - like all types of junk food.
2. Protein:You can’t start feeling better without these building blocks of life, so eat more protein-rich foods to get 75-100g of this nutrient every day. Add as many whole grains, lentils, legumes, dairy products, soy products, nuts and seeds as you can in your diet. If you’re non-vegetarian, then have plenty of chicken and eggsas well as fish.
3. Fruits and veggies:Fresh fruits and vegetables are great sources of dietary fibre, folate, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Include everything from apples and bananas to gourds and green leafy vegetables in your diet.
4. Immune-boosters:Fruits, vegetables, herbs and some spices have immense immune-boosting qualities because they’re packed with phytochemicals and bioactive compounds. Add these to your diet and drink immune-boosting herbal drinks like kadha, turmeric milk, green tea, herbal tea, etc.
5. Fluids:Infections can dehydrate the body, so it’s important to rehydrate when you’re recovering. Drink 8-10 glasses of water every day, and make broths, soups, and other drinks a part of your daily diet.

Things to remember about the recovery diet

Apart from adding all these essential foods and drinks to your recovery diet, you need to keep the following things in mind to make this diet more effective:

Prioritize fresh produce like fruits, vegetables and animal products over pre-packaged ones.

Make sure all your meals are simple and freshly cooked at home instead of relying on outside foods.

Ensure that all hygiene practices are followed to the T while preparing the food. Wash your hands before and after handling/eating.

Eating large portions may be difficult during the initial phases of recovery from COVID-19 infection, so take smaller but more frequent meals.

Many COVID-19 patients experience difficulties swallowing during their recovery period, so experiment with soft, mashed or liquids to begin with.

Any diet is ineffective without proper sleep and exercise, so get enough rest and start with smaller physical activities to get back in shape.