Hey folks, greetings for the day.
You must have heard this many time, but here’s my version of the well-known saying. “Laughter is the fire work of any soul”…
On that note, I am going to share this experience of mine with you to help you through this lockdown phase.
Seasoned employees or even the newbies know, it’s that dreaded time of the year again! Yearly appraisal looms overhead as COVID19 outbreak reaches India.
This week let’s talk about “Coronavirus vs Compensation”.
A scene at the hospital
Patient: “Doctor, I have a problem with my eyes. I see something coming from far, but when I reach there it is nothing and gone!”
Me (feeling the same): “It’s AIDS, sir! Welcome to the club.”
Patient looks bewildered.
Me: “It’s called the acute-annual increment deficiency syndrome – AIDS-get it? And it’s caused by the No Hikes or Increment Version 2.0, or HIV, as we know it. This happens when companies use the Duck-Worth Lewis method to set targets and pay their employees.
(Dedicated to all my salaried colleagues)
Since there is nothing much I can do about the compensation, I have decided to resort to writing on coronavirus.
Here’s a set of tips to combat the cold and flu this season. Boost your immunity naturally with herbs, leaves and spices.
Diet for seasonal cold, flu and viral infections |
|
Recommended Food and Nutrients |
How do they help you |
| Diet rich in Magnesium, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Vitamin C, D, E, Betacarotene, Flavanoids. | Associated with lower rates of allergies and flu. |
| Plenty of fruits and vegetables | Good source of antioxidants such as Beta Carotene |
| Betacarotene or Vitamin A rich foods | Reduces exercise induced asthma |
| Food with Vitamins C, E e.g. Citrus fruits like Grapes, Kiwi |
Helps reduce lung swelling and irritation (inflammation) caused by cell damaging chemicals known as free radicals. |
| Apples | > Source of Flavonoid compound Khellin
> Helps prevent lung inflammation. |
| Banana | > Rich in fibre, Potassium and Antioxidants
> Improves lung function and decreases wheezing in children |
| Berries and Pomegranates | Rich in antioxidants |
| Broccoli, Brussels, Sprouts | Loaded with nutrients |
| Cantaloupe, Spinach, Dark Chocolate, Salmon and Pumpkin seeds | > Rich in Magnesium.
> This helps in lung flow and volume. |
| Avacado | > Rich in Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFA) and helps lower cholesterol
> Also a source of antioxidant Glutathionine |
| Ginger, Garlic, and turmeric | > Strong anti-inflammatory properties
> Curcumin in Turmeric dilates the lung passages |
| Tomatoes | Helps in breathing better over long term |
| Kale | High in Vitamin C, K, A, & D, Manganese |
| Spinach | Source of Vitamin C, Betacarotene, Vitamin E, Potassium, Zinc, Iron, Magnesium, Calcium |
| Nuts like Almonds and Hazelnuts | > Rich in Vitamin E
> Ingredient Tocopherol helps with cough and wheezing |
| Flaxseeds | > Relax muscle surrounding the bronchi
> Keep airways open |
| Food rich in or fortified with Vitamin D, e.g. Milk, Eggs, Salmon, and spending time outdoors | > Increases Vitamin D levels
> Strengthens the immune system |
| Coffee or caffeinated drinks | Opens up airways up to four hours after consumption |
| Olive oil and canola oil | |
| Increased intake of probiotics like curd and yoghurt | Better gut microbiome |
| High fibre intake | > Helps prevent constipation
> Weight loss and maintenance > Protect against metabolic syndrome |
Your everyday diet needs to include:
- One banana a day
- One glass of apple juice a day
- Fresh salads and fruits with spinach, tomatoes, kale, avacado, cantoloupe, pommogranate, lettuce, sweet potatoes, carrots, green leafy vegetables etc
- Ayurvedic chavanprash 1 tablespoon a day
- Samahan tea (2 sachets in warm water, hot milk or tea)
- Drinking warm water every now and then
Like all Grandmothers, mine had recipes for all things to keep me healthy. Let me share the one for cold, flu cough and viral infections.
Herbal concoction
- Take equal quantities of the following herbs:
a. Ashwagandha, adhimadhuram, sithirathai, nilavembu, triphala, alarka thoodhuvailai. - Powder them along with a cup of palm sugar or jaggery
- Store in a cool place in an airtight container
a. For preparing the concoction - Take 2 tablespoons of the powder and add 2 glasses of water
- Boil it for about 5-7 minutes. Till the water reduces to one glass
- Strain and drink warm
Fresh leaves concoction
- Boil 10-15 leaves of karpooravalli, basil, tender neem and tulsi leaves in water
- Add 1/2 a spoon of cumin, ajwain and ginger
- Boil some more
- Cool down and strain
- Add a tablespoon of lemon juice and honey into the drink
- It’s ready!
Garlic concoction
- Crush 3 cloves of garlic.
- Add 2 glasses of water.
- Boil until 1 cup is left.
- Cool and drink
Ginger concoction
- Grate 1 tbsp of ginger.
- Add 1 glass of water.
- Boil.
- Reduce to half glass.
- Add 1 tbsp of honey and drink
- Your drink is ready!
Honey concoction
- Mix 1 tbsp of honey in warm water and drink
Cinnamon concoction
- Mix 1/2 tbsp of cinnamon and 3 tbsp honey and 1 tbsp lemon juice.
- Stir well and drink
Concoction for cough and phlegm
- Take 1cup of sukku (dry ginger) + 2 cups of palm sugar or jaggery + 3 tablespoons of cumin + 1 tablespoon of pepper + 1 teaspoon of turmeric
- Powder well in a blender
- Take a spoon of the above mixture
- Make a paste with enough honey
- Keep it in mouth and sallow slowly
Here are some nutritional supplements you can take. Follow the dosage information.
| Vitamin D Cadila Calcirol | One sachet per week for 12 weeks |
| Vitamin C – Heath AID Vit C 1000mg (Orange) | One effervescence tablet dropped in 200 ml water at 11:00 am
second dose at 4:00pm |
| Zinc – Zincolac | any nearby pharmacy
as per physician recommendation |
| N-Acetyl L-Cysteine – NAC Zenith | Nutrition
Take one early morning on empty stomach with plain water |
| Resveratrol – Resolife 250 Mg Nutrabay | Take one after breakfast and one after lunch |
| Glutamine – MP Essentials pure l glutamine powder | Take 5 grams in juice or plain water or warm lemon water on empty stomach |
Please note that none of the above should be taken longer than 30-60 days. You must consult your doctor for custom advice on each supplement.
Remember free advice can also have side effects. Proceed as per your physician’s guidance.
Hope you have enjoyed this post. Happy healthy mindful eating.
Now, before you run to make one of those concoctions or hunt down some supplements, here’s another joke for you. Last for the day, I promise.
At my home.
Lil V: Mom what’s that mask for? You look like Koba.
(Breaks into a giggle with her sister)
Me: Wait. What’s Koba? Who’s Koba?
V: The monkey that is in The Planet of The Apes series mom! Grow up!!
(vanishes right after the comment)
I tell myself, Thank God for creating that “mini-me”. Perks of motherhood!
Next time I am in the hospital, I see all masked faces and find it extremely distressing. Know why? I can’t control my laughter!
“Koba!” You are not alone. Welcome to the planet of apes.
Inputs given by,
Ms. Vidya Narasimhan – Senior Dietitian, RxDx
For personalized care and tips on Nutrition, please visit RxDx Multispeciality Clinic.
For further details, please contact: 080-49261111, 6745-8111
