We are all dealing with COVID-19 pandemic, which till date has no defined cure or vaccine. According to experts, wearing a mask, frequent sanitization, social distancing and boosting your immunity are the only ways to deal with COVID-19. The terrible pandemic awakened the fact that our food systems are vulnerable, we have all heard the saying that ‘food is medicine’ due to their inherent medicinal and healing properties.

The Indian kitchen is a hub of ingredients like cereals, vegetables, fruits, herbs & spices, edible oils, etc. which are a source of vital nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. This has been established by studies conducted over a period of time. When these ingredients are used effectively in small quantities in a dish, they help improve the health and well-being besides strengthening the immune system. When we cook the food ourselves, we can be sure of the ingredients being used in the dishes, how they are cooked and what can be the possible outcome on our health and immunity.

Nutritionists and Wellness experts highlight the importance of strengthening immunity to live a healthy life. As the coronavirus spreads across the country and the world, you might be wondering how to stop the virus. While there aren’t foods that can prevent you from contracting the coronavirus, there are ways to make viral symptoms less painful. You can also protect your body from coughing and sniffles by loading up on immune-boosting ingredients in food.

According Dr. Lahari Surapaneni PhD (USA) Nutritionist & Wellness consultant, Hyderabad, “Strong immune system is the key to a healthy life. For this strong immune system, we need nutrients like proteins, iron, zinc, Selenium, vitamins A, C, D & E. We can get most of the nutritious food from dairy products, fruits & vegetables, meats, leafy vegetables, pulses, grains. To ensure that our immune system is performing optimally we need to know the nutritious home-cooked meals & the right ingredients for the required vitamins.”

Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils, are doing an awareness through a campaign ‘#Immunity Begins in the Kitchen’ to identify the ingredients that help improve the immunity and encourage their use in daily food. To boost immune system, the best way is to manage a balanced lifestyle that involves nutritious eating habits, yoga and meditation, deep sleep and a positive outlook towards life. Eating the right food helps in healthy and disease-free body. To tide over the COVID-19 let’s all resolve to cook using these immuno-boosting ingredients as #Immunity begins in the Kitchen.

Adding to this Mr. P Chandra Shekhara Reddy, Vice President Sales & Marketing, Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils said,”COVID-19 infection can be prevented by sanitizing your hands, using mask, maintaining social distancing, and eating healthy food to boost immunity. Kitchen is a hub for many ingredients that have a proven record for providing the required carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, anti-oxidants, etc to help us stay healthy and boost immunity. However, we strongly recommend people to use quality brands for all your ingredients to enjoy maximum nutritional benefits. These Brands ensure that the best quality product is packaged in a completely sanitized & hygienic environment – safe for your consumption. Often the products like Freedom Sunflower Oil are fortified with vitamins A,D &E to help build immunity. Please stay safe and use standard Brands for kitchen spices, pulses, Edible Oils, etc to get the best quality product for your consumption.”

How to Boost Immunity to save yourself from COVID-19:

1. Eat Healthy & Live Healthy – Eat balanced home cooked food as it is the best way to ensure your family stays healthy.

2. Boosting Immunity: Food needs to include the right balance of Carbohydrates, Fats, Proteins, Vitamins etc.

3. Add more Veggies, fruits & whole grains to your diet. Vegetarian or Non-Vegetarian – include high-protein food to your diet

4. Use Trusted Brands : Use Quality brands for all your ingredients & enjoy maximum nutritional and health benefits

Upgrade to healthier options:

Immunity boosters are available in every Indian Kitchen, all we need to do is to make sure, we use them in the food we cook & eat daily. 

1. Turmeric filled with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory where it can fight a range of diseases like cancer, diabetes & Illness.

2. Ginger &Tulsi are stapled with many nutritional benefits & helps to fight flu & infections.

3. Honey is the traditional medicine to soothe the symptoms of cough & cold and helps fighting infections.

4. Aloeverais very rich in antioxidants

5. Amla is a powerhouse of Vitamin C that helps you to fight coughs & cold.

Also Read: AMLA-THE SUPER FOOD, IMMUNITY BOOSTER

6. GarlicFull of essential nutrients and a super –food

7. Cumin Improves Immunity & Digestion

8. Cinnamon Powerful antioxidant

Also Read: IMMUNE YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM WITH SUPERFOODS

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