By Tyler Mathews
MS RDN CD, Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill
As we continue through this pandemic, many who have been diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus have experienced similar symptoms, including fever, loss of taste, smell, and appetite. Having recently been diagnosed and symptomatic of COVID-19 myself, and as a Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist, I thought it would be appropriate to share some general nutrition tips that have helped me through my experience with COVID-19, and may help you!
It can be difficult to eat when sick, let alone when you cannot taste or smell. However, nutrition is an important part of the body for your immune system during illness. While an overall balanced diet is recommended for your general health, you may find yourself unable to tolerate food in general as you have no appetite. Those experiencing loss of taste and smell may not gain these senses back immediately and this can make meal planning more challenging, especially when you may find food overall unappetizing. Consuming a high calorie-protein diet can help prevent muscle and weight loss.
- Snack more frequently, instead of having larger meals throughout the day.
- Drink your calories, as it can be easier to drink fluids vs. eat foods (utilize protein drinks or milk).
- Consume foods with different textures.
- Focus on guilty pleasure items that you can tolerate in moderation, as restricting calories when your appetite is poor may not be appropriate.
Stay hydrated! With any sort of illness where a fever develops, when you develop a fever, your body will lose fluids, putting you at risk for dehydration. It is important to drink fluids even when you are not thirsty. When your body tells you to drink fluids, this generally is a sign that you may already be dehydrated, so stay well hydrated to prevent dehydration.
- Try fluids with different temperatures.
- Utilize electrolyte containing low-calorie sports drinks or electrolyte replacing fluids such as Pedialyte.
- Drink fluids every hour.
Staying nourished and hydrated during illness can be difficult task, especially with some of the common symptoms associated with COVID-19, but can help prevent against dehydration, weight and/or muscle loss, or develop other health conditions associated with an extended period of time with poor food and fluid intake. As always, please use your best judgment and seek medical attention should you experience worsening symptoms.
About Pine Crest
Pine Crest Nursing Home is a 160-bed skilled nursing facility located in Merrill, Wis. Pine Crest specializes in short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, dementia care and hospice/comfort services for adults. Pine Crest also has a new 20-bed Rehab Unit and 20-bed Special Care Unit. All beds are Medicare and Medicaid certified. Learn more at www.norcen.org/SkilledNursing.