Everyone in the globe has been rocked by the Coronavirus epidemic. While physicians, nurses, and police officers are working tirelessly to combat the epidemic, the general populace must also take care of themselves. For a stronger immune system, start by eating nutritious foods. To combat the virus, children under the age of ten and the elderly must be extra cautious and eat a nutritious diet. Many people believe that eating chicken will give the body with necessary proteins and aid in the maintenance of a healthy immune system. Find out how to strengthen your immune system by eating chicken, as well as other diets to follow, from Anushka Baindur, Senior Dietician, Fortis Hospital…
1) How may eating chicken help us increase our immunity? What are the components of chicken that assist people of all ages enhance their immune systems?
Anushka Baindur: Antibodies and immune cells, for example, are protein-dependent components of our immune system. As a result, protein is a necessary component of our immune system. Because chicken is a high-quality protein source, it can assist to enhance one’s immune. Aside from protein, chicken is an excellent source of a variety of other nutrients, such as Retinol (an active form of Vitamin A), Vitamin B B3, Vitamin B9, Zinc, and others, all of which play a role in immunological function in some way.
2) Is it advisable to eat chicken during the summer because many people believe it increases the amount of heat produced in our bodies, regardless of whether this is a fiction or a fact?
Anushka Baindur: There is no scientific data that suggests avoiding chicken during the heat. Although one must ensure that it is well boiled to avoid the risk of stomach illness, which is more common in the summer.
3) How much chicken should I eat in a week, and in what manner should I eat it?
Anushka Baindur: The amount and frequency of food consumed in a week is determined by a person’s needs as well as their degree of activity. An athlete or someone who engages in high-intensity activities might take it more frequently than someone who is inactive. In addition, because protein consumption is proportional to a person’s weight, it might differ from one individual to the next. Also, instead of deep fat frying, employ healthy techniques like boiling and grilling.
4) What are some of the advantages of eating chicken?
Anushka Baindur: Chicken is a high-biological-value protein source. Including chicken in your diet can help you reach your daily protein requirements. Because of its high protein and zinc content, it aids in wound healing. It increases cognitive function, protects the skin from UV damage, and can help with osteoarthritis symptoms because it’s high in niacin. Furthermore, a bowl of hot chicken soup is soothing and can help with cold symptoms since it contains anti-inflammatory ingredients.
5) What vegetarian meal may be substituted for chicken if it is not available?
Anushka Baindur : Chicken is a high biological value food, which means it contains all of the necessary amino acids. Vegetarian meals lack such a source, however combining cereal and pulse, such as rice and dal, will provide all of the required amino acids, making it a complete protein. Even with a vegetarian diet, there are several protein sources, such as all dals, whole pulses like channa, rajma, green moong, soya milk, and milk products like paneer, almonds, tofu, and so on. Vegetarians must incorporate these foods into their meals on a regular basis.
6) What’s the finest side dish to serve with chicken?
Anushka Baindur: Chicken can be served with rotis made of wheat or millet, rice, or even a simple salad.
7) Could you provide the food plan that youngsters should follow for a stronger immune system?
Anushka Baindur: A diet chart is always unique to the individual and might differ from one person to the next. As a result, even for children, there is no “one size fits all” nutrition chart. Include protein-rich foods such as eggs, poultry, fish, paneer, dal, pulses, almonds, and other nuts in their regular diet for a stronger immune system. Children can be given a kadha or kashaya prepared from onions, tulsi leaves, ginger, and spices such as pepper, cumin, coriander, and turmeric, along with honey.
Ensure appropriate vegetable consumption in forms that are appealing to children, such as a palak, methi, or drumstick leaf paratha, mixed vegetable and protein cutlets, and nutritious spaghetti or noodles with lots of additional vegetables. Almonds, pistachios, rains, dates, and other nuts and dried fruits can be consumed alone or turned into milkshakes, chikkis, and ladoos. Include two to three servings of fruits in your daily diet. Drink plenty of water, buttermilk, coconut water, and traditional beverages like kokum and bael ka sharbat to stay hydrated.