COVID 19 AND DIET: EAT TO LIVE; DON’T LIVE TO EAT! FINAL PRODUCTION

The fight against Covid-19 has forced people to modify and readjust their lifestyle, and this includes eating habits (diet). Following the WHO safety protocols, diet is essential in the fight against Covid-19.

 In Ghana, many people have undertaken self-prescribed dietetic adjustments in order to boost their immune systems. After all, we all use every possible means to stand better chances against a pitiless enemy.

Jonathan, student

 

We used to squeeze lemon in bottles and drink it.

Since they said alcohol-based sanitizer, we started taking alcohol to fight the virus in our bellies.

Rhoda, student

 

We changed our morning recipe of cereals to drinking of hot water, lemon, garlic.

 

The main question one would ask about the use of these self-medicated potions and concoctions is to know how effective they are. Dr. Henry Adrah, a front-line fighter against the pandemic in Ghana shared his experience about this phenomenon. According to his expert’s view, all these home-made remedies have no immunizing or curative power against the virus. Actually, there is even no proof of the fact that they can boost the immune system.

Dr. Henry Adrah - Korle Bu Teaching
Hospital - Accra

 “When it comes to these concoctions   people   take, there is no data to back how   effective that   works!”

 “Most of the time it is psychological. When   the   person takes it, the person feels   relieved  and it   gives him a positive mind to keep going about his      daily activities.”

 

Rather, relying too much on such self-medicated prescriptions may have serious adverse effects on the body, including gastritis and stomach ulcers.

In the current situation, with the health risks involved in self-medicated dietetic remedies, the question that arises is to know what we should eat to stand chances of winning the battle against the virus. Dr. Wise Letsa, a dietitian at the Trust Specialist Hospital in Accra, provides a practical and down-to-earth answer to this concern.

                Dr. Wise Letsa, Deputy Chief Dietitian – Trust Specialist Hospital – Accra

At the end of the day, the main issue is not what to eat. Our banku and wakye are good, we just need to be disciplined in the way we eat them.

Some of our local foods: Banku & Tilapia (on the left); Waakye /WA-chay/ (on the right)

However, taking the right dietetic measures is just a part of the whole picture. To make the picture complete, there is need for strict compliance with the other safety protocols.

                                      Covid-19 safety protocols Mix

The battle is ongoing, let us press on hoping that brighter days lie ahead.

By Valery MBIDA