Experts Say You Should Eat Yogurt, Oysters And A Whole Lot Of Vegetables To Stay Healthy In Quarantine

TOPLINE

The mental and physical health challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic are numerous and not limited to the virus itself, according to experts who say eating plenty of vegetables—along with specialty items like oysters—as well as getting enough sleep and exercise can all contribute to a stronger and healthier immune system.

KEY FACTS

Tangent

Craving Oreos, potato chips and other carbohydrate, fat and protein-heavy foods in quarantine? Stress from events like a pandemic causes people to seek solace by craving sugary comfort foods, says the researchers. And it’s been found that women are more likely than men to experience these cravings. Jones advises that consumers avoid eating high-sodium and high-fat in quarantine as these can lead to higher cholesterol, blood pressure and body mass.

Key Background

There has been much talk of meat shortages around the United States due to disruptions in the supply chain from coronavirus outbreaks, though experts have repeatedly said there will be no long-term shortage, but maybe a lack of variety. No worries, researchers of this study say that these recommended Mediterranean diet foods are likely already in your pantry, it’s just a question of prioritizing these foods in lieu of comfort options with inferior nutritional value, to derive dietary value. 

With quarantine mandates, people are experiencing serious mental and physical health challenges that pose threats to balanced diets and lifestyles. These challenges include less opportunity for exercise, reduced access to school lunches, affordability and availability of cheap processed foods, the stress of social and personal life changes, disrupted sleep cycles and loneliness.

Five psychological studies reviewed by the Lancet found quarantine to be the greatest predictor of acute stress disorder in the 2003 SARS epidemic. Quarantined hospital staffers who may have come into contact with a SARS patient were significantly more likely to report exhaustion, detachment, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, poor concentration and indecisiveness, reluctance to work or resignation.

Further Reading

Nutritional recommendations for CoVID-19 quarantine (European Journal of Clinical Nutrition via National Institute of Health)

Coronavirus: To zinc or not to zinc? (UCHealth)

Food and nutrition tips during self-quarantine (World Health Organization)

These 7 Zinc-Rich Foods Can Help Boost Your Immunity (EatingWell)

Yes, The U.S. Could Face Minor, Local Food Shortages, But They Will Be Temporary (Forbes)

Study Says Obese People Should Quarantine Longer (Forbes)

The Mediterranean Diet: From an Environment-Driven Food Culture to an Emerging Medical Prescription (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health via National Institute of Health)

The psychological impact of quarantine and how to reduce it: rapid review of the evidence (Lancet)

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