There is little doubt that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting every aspect of our lives as Ghanaians. From the closure of schools to boarder closures and limiting of activities of restaurants and hotels. Indeed, these are not normal times.
The government is doing well in ensuring Ghanaians are observing the right public health protocols and reducing exposure to the virus. Sadly, no one knows how long these safety measures will need to stay in place, but one thing is sure: health and nutrition must be made a priority and Ghanaians need to consider what they are consuming to help maintain and strengthen their immune systems in this fight against the virus.
Eden Tree, Ghana’s leading producer and distributor of high –end fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs in Ghana has provided few suggestions on how to make healthy food choices during these challenging times.
Plan your meal: Try planning out a few meals so you know what you need. This ensures you don’t face meal dilemma every meal time. Planning meals in advance also ensures you use up all of the ingredients you have before buying more, thus preventing waste.
Fruit and vegetables should be a must have: Having constant fruits and vegetables at home can be a daunting task. Appropriate meal planning can guide shopping for fresh fruit and vegetables. Fruit and vegetables can also be frozen to limit the trips to market places. Prepare a variety of stews and soups using vegetables and put in a refrigerator for later use while maintaining their essential nutrients. Fruits such as bananas, oranges, pineapples, pawpaw, grapes etc aside being used as dessert, can be used for smoothies and enjoyed at home. These fruits and vegetables contain essential nutrients that boost the immune system and help in the fight against the coronavirus.
Flavoured water: Add fruits or vegetables like lemon, lime, cucumber slices or berries to your water to add an extra twist of flavor. Also try the following combinations using one piece of fruit and a few sprigs of herbs:
- One Mango cubed and one Ginger sliced
- One Grapefruit sliced and sprigs of Mint
- One cup of cubed Watermelon and one sliced Lemon
- One cup cubed Pineapple, one cup cut Coconut, and one sliced Lemon
- One sliced Orange and one sliced Ginger
- One sliced Cucumber and sprigs of Mint
- One sliced Lemon and 5 or 6 Basil leaves.
Each combination in a jug filled with drinking water kept in the fridge should be used up within 3 days.
Drink a lot of liquid: Drinking an adequate amount of fluid is essential in order for you to feel and function at your best. Be sure to constantly drink a lot of liquid especially water to stay hydrated.
Exercise, exercise: Remember to exercise every now and then. Physical fitness is not just crucial for a healthy body but imperative for a healthy mind and emotional wellbeing.
Now more than ever, healthy eating is very important as it helps in keeping your immune system in top condition. Eden Tree has been promoting healthy eating habits in the country by producing, packaging, and supplying high quality vegetables, fruits, herbs, and ready to eat packaged fruits, salad and fresh fruit juice to the Ghanaian market.
