Dietitians offer advice on maintaining good nutrition and hydration

Dietitians at ESHT are offering advice on maintaining good nutrition and hydration to keep people well and support their normal immune function during these challenging times.

The video message can be seen https://youtu.be/hJzaiVW1xrA

A healthy, well-balanced diet with a variety of foods from each of the food groups should give people the broad range of nutrients we need to maintain good health. In practice this means:

• Keep to regular mealtimes to provide a steady source of energy throughout the day.
• Try to base meals on 3 main component portions:
  • Starchy, wholegrain carbohydrates (e.g. wholemeal bread, oats, potatoes, rice, pasta)
  • Protein (e.g. meat, fish, eggs, dairy, pulses, tofu)
  • One or two fruits or vegetables.
• Aim to drink 2 litres (6-8 cups) of fluids throughout the day. Try to avoid having excessive caffeine (e.g. tea and coffee), fruit juice, alcohol or sugary drinks.

Dietitian Lauren Dennis said: “During the Covid pandemic, we understand it may be more difficult to source food. You might be relying on others to do your shopping. Try to plan your meals in advance and consider having a small store of frozen or tinned produce (such as vegetables, fruit, meat and fish). These can be just as nutritious as their fresh alternatives. Although you should keep shopping trips to a minimum, there is no need to stockpile food.”

For more information on nutrition and diet relating to COVID, please visit the British Dietetic Association website www.bda.uk.com