Long COVID: Experts recommend eating these foods to help ease symptoms

Following COVID-19 infection, symptoms can last for more than 12 weeks, resulting in long COVID or post-COVID symptoms. As the time period increases, these symptoms, such as -- fatigue, loss of taste or smell, brain fog -- can interfere with your day to day time and cause frustration and irritation.

In order to reduce the impact of these symptoms, there are several things which you can do, one of the important ones being monitoring your diet.

Eating well is important to get back on your feet, which is possible when you get enough nutrition to recover. You have to include plenty of healthy foods in your diet and balance them out so that you get all the necessary protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals for your recovery. Here are some nourishing foods to include in your daily diet:

People usually feel low on energy during and after recovering from an infection. To increase your energy levels, include carbs in your diet with foods such as potatoes, rice, bread, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates. Include rotis made whole grain carbs such as whole wheat, whole oats, millet and whole barley. These are high in fibre and provide energy at a slow yet consistent speed, which is more ideal for getting rid of fatigue.

If you eat five portions of fruits everyday, you will see great results in your overall health, energy and mood. Fruits will provide you with the much-needed vitamins, minerals and fibre. Prefer going for fresh fruits, however if you are unable to get any, you can also consume frozen, tinned or dried fruits. You can start your morning with a piece or two of an apple, pear, or plum. You can enjoy a fruit chat as a mid meal between breakfast and lunch. In the evening, you can enjoy sweet fruits like watermelon to feel refreshed and satisfy your sweet tooth with a healthy, natural alternative.

Read more: Liver disease: This symptom in your day-to-day life can be an indicator of a liver problem

Beans, pulses, nuts, seeds, fish, eggs and meat are all good sources of protein. Milk, cheese and yogurt are also rich sources of protein, calcium and vitamins. Try to eat home-cooked meals including non-vegetarian foods such as chicken. You can prepare a delicious chicken curry at home, which will be much-more healthier than processed meat used in sausages or burgers. Protein will help in rebuilding your muscles, maintaining your immune system and increasing your energy levels to get your healthy body back.

Omega-3 fatty acids strengthen the cell walls and aid in eliciting a strong immune response in the presence of a virus, pathogen or bacterial invasion. To include omega-3 in your diet, you can eat fish such as salmon or sardines, twice a week. If you are a vegetarian, then you can consume plant-based sources such as nuts, seeds, and soya.

Read more: Coronavirus: THIS new symptom of BA.5 Omicron subvariant appears at night-time, as per reports

Drink plenty of fluids everyday, especially water. Hydration will help your body to eliminate the toxins of the infection from your body. Water also helps in the distribution of oxygen and nutrients in the body. Along with water, you can also drink soups, milk, fruit juices and smoothies but try to avoid too much sugar. If you are drinking juice, opt for freshly squeezed juice instead of packaged juices.