A side effect of the advent of Novel Corona Virus is being locked up in the house. In its second stage in India, as declared by experts, the country is on a self-lockdown mode with people being advised to stay indoors for the next two weeks at least.

As cities go on social distancing mode, people will be forced to lead a sedentary life.

“Add vitamin C containing fruits in your diet, along with antioxidant rich food items in daily menu. Water intake should be high. At the core of a balanced diet are foods that are low in unnecessary fats and sugars but high in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. The following food groups are essential parts of a balanced diet. At the core of a balanced diet are foods that are low in unnecessary fats and sugars but high in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. The following food groups are essential parts of a balanced diet. For non-diabetic patients there is no restriction for intake carbohydrate rich food products or cereals like Rice/ Atta/ Maida/ Suji/ Muri/ Chira/ Bread/ Noodles/ Oats. But diabetic patients should restrict their intake,” Sohinee advices.

Do not look for your favourite, rolls or fries for snacks. Sohinee said: “Fruits and vegetables (boiled or sauté) are perfect snacks. You can add handful of vegetable and 1no of fruit in a day as daily basis if your blood potassium level is under limit. Protein helps you heal after operation & builds and repairs muscles & tissues. You should intake 100gm of fish or 65gm (without bone) chicken per day along with 1 no of white portion of egg daily if your blood creatinine level is under limit.”

Oil does make our food yummier, but with no legwork, less sweating and burning of calories, she advices less oil. Intake of oil for cooking purpose is should be less than 5 tsp (25ml) per day and ratio of mustard oil or olive oil and white oil or soya bean oil will be 2:3 per day.

Avoid the intake of salt & processed and ready to eat foods like chips, pasta, canned products. Also limit your intake by avoiding intake of cakes, biscuits, sweets, chocolate, squashes, and cold drink. Too much sugar can cause weight gain, increase triglyceride and blood sugar level. It is advisable to include 200-250ml double toned milk & milk products in your daily diet as any form of milk, chenna, curd. But avoid butter, ghee.

About the author-Sohinee Seal, Dietician-in-Charge, Fortis Hospital and Kidney Institute