Shelf-help groupBuilding immunity is just a short walk to the kitchen

Manav Mander

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With cases of Covid-19 rising across the country, everybody is under stress. The anxiety is taking a toll on the mental health of the people.

Our best defence is our body’s immune system. It has the ability to produce a million antibodies and destroy viruses, bacteria etc. A healthy lifestyle—a balance of exercise, diet and sleep— is the best way to take care of our immune system.

The need of the hour is to keep calm and build a strong immunity. It is simple and is just a walk away from the kitchen. Many things already stored in our kitchen jars can actually help us in building our immunity strong and one just needs to make a little effort.

We talk to few Ludhiana-based nutritionists and dieticians, who help us recognise wonder foods from the kitchen. Accompanied by a daily dose of exercise, they can actually work wonders.

“Regular exercise keeps our blood circulation healthy and the immune system strong. Sleep and rest are extremely important for antibody generation and one should maintain a regular sleep cycle. Stress, anxiety and depression affect our immunity adversely,” says Raminder Kaur from Raminder’s Diet and Nutrition Clinic.

Adding further, Raminder says that the local spices, which are there in the spice box of every homemaker, are a rich source of antioxidants and vitamins.

Turmeric is most effective among these and a glass of turmeric milk can work wonders. Include spices like cloves, black pepper and cinnamon, and also ginger and garlic which help in boosting the immunity.

“Ensure that our daily diet has all the food groups i.e. cereals, pulses, vegetables, fruits, milk, oils and fats in appropriate proportion. No single food can boost immunity, so take a balanced diet,” says Raminder.

“We all can fight coronavirus if our immunity is strong. For boosting immunity, the first thing to follow is to keep the body hydrated. Try to drink lukewarm water all day. You can add lemon, ginger, black pepper, turmeric, garlic or green tea to your water intake to make it better for your body.”

Stock some citrus fruits as they are rich in Vitamin C and will definitely help your body,” says city-based nutritionist Sonia Kochar.

“Maintain gaps between your meals. Don’t binge eat. Eat cereal-pulse combination food like dal- chawal, dal-roti, khichdi for good quality protein. Try to add garlic, turmeric, black pepper to your food as they boost immunity. Lastly don’t panic and eat healthy and organic food,” signs off Sonia Kochar.