Covid hacks from a nutrition health coach

For the half of Perth (and few left in the rest of the world) who haven’t already got Covid these are two combinations for food and liquid that helped me this week, especially when I didn’t have an appetite: cocosoda and protein yogurt.

These are in no way recipes but easy and nutritionally supportive for the immune system when you are Covid infected.

Protein yoghurt: I mixed 2 level tablespoons of chocolate flavoured protein powder with 4 heaped tablespoons of natural coconut yogurt and a few strawberries.

Why: protein is known for its association with muscle building but it also plays a key role in immune function. The ways it nourishes the immune system is by assisting recovery, repairing the body and building antibodies. Between 70 – 80% of our immune system is located in our gut. A healthy gut can act as a barrier against pathogens and serve as an internal pharmacy by creating natural antibiotics. The natural coconut yogurt I used contains 1 billion probiotics per serve of: B. lactis L. acidophilus, both known for immune and cold & flu support. You can use Greek yogurt if you like but dairy can contribute to mucus and phlegm, not something you want more of with the Covid cough. I added strawberries for their Vitamin C content, plus they go well with chocolate.

Cocosoda: mix coconut water and water together. Voila! I was having 1/3 a glass of coconut water and 2/3 of soda water on repeat, about 3L a day. 

Why: It was a blander more palatable taste that was easy to drink a lot of. Consuming adequate fluids supports all your bodies functions including the immune system. Staying hydrated lets your body circulate blood more freely, supporting white blood cells to fight the virus. Drinking the electrolyte and sodium containing coconut water helps balance your salt and water which can be lost with sweating/fever.

My last advice is sleep as much as you can. Sleep restores and heals the body. Without adequate sleep, optimal immune function is near impossible. I’ve had some geriatric worthy bedtimes this week and it was the best way, to sleep through it.