Introduction
As a doctor, I am here to provide an essential COVID update for everyone. With the pandemic still raging, it is more important than ever to make sure we are eating the right foods to keep our bodies healthy and strong. In this article, I will be discussing the importance of eating the right foods and what to avoid in order to stay healthy during this time. I will also provide some tips on how to make sure you are getting the right nutrition while still enjoying your meals. So, let’s get started!
I’m a Doctor and Have This Essential COVID Update For Everyone — Eat This Not That
As a doctor, I’m here to provide an essential COVID update for everyone: Eat this, not that. With the pandemic still raging, it’s important to make sure you’re eating the right foods to keep your body healthy and strong. Here are some tips to help you make the best choices.
Eat Whole Foods
Whole foods are foods that are unprocessed and unrefined. They are packed with vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients that your body needs to stay healthy. Examples of whole foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. Eating a variety of these foods will help you get the nutrients you need to stay healthy.
Limit Processed Foods
Processed foods are foods that have been altered from their natural state. They often contain added sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. Examples of processed foods include chips, cookies, and candy. Eating too much of these foods can lead to weight gain and other health problems. Try to limit your intake of processed foods and focus on eating more whole foods.
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is essential for your overall health. Drinking plenty of water helps your body stay healthy and can help boost your immune system. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. You can also get your fluids from other sources such as tea, coffee, and fruit juices.
Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is important for your physical and mental health. Aim to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. This will help your body stay healthy and give your immune system a boost. Make sure to create a relaxing bedtime routine to help you get the rest you need.
Stay Active
Exercising regularly is important for your physical and mental health. Aim to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day. This can include walking, running, biking, or any other type of exercise. Exercise can help boost your immune system and keep your body healthy.
Conclusion
Eating the right foods, staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, and staying active are all essential for staying healthy during the pandemic. Make sure to follow these tips to keep your body strong and your immune system functioning properly. Remember, eat this, not that!
While life goes “back to normal,” no one told COVID-19 the pandemic is “over,” as the virus continues to swell in the United States. Thousands attended Burning Man, followed by reports of people catching the virus there. School is back in session and kids are missing school due to infections. What’s the latest and how can you stay safe? Dr. Michael Blaivas is here with the essential update everyone should know. Read on, and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
The White House recently suspended its COVID-19 testing program that provided free testing kits to American households. The program is put on pause due to lack of federal funding after congress didn’t replenish the nation’s stock of tests. With fall around the corner, it’s likely we will face a rise in COVID infections and an increase in need for reliable test kits. In order to prepare for this response, it’s best to continue testing even as programs decline, monitor extended expiration dates on test kits, continue to be cautious in public settings, wear masks and follow CDC guidelines if you have symptoms.
Following students return to school for the 2022-2023 academic year, recent Chicago Public School data reveals that COVID cases during the first week in public schools are much higher this year compared to past years. In fact, cases in Chicago public schools are 3.3 times higher this year than the first week of cases from the 2021-2022 school year. One conclusion to this could be the highly contagious Omicron BA.5 variant that makes up 90% of cases in the Midwest according to the CDC, compared to the less contagious Delta variants that circulated this time last year. However, another factor could be more readily available rapid testing than ever before and a public more willing to test skewing numbers to some degree. Despite contradicting CDC guidelines, it’s important to continue implementing proper protocols – especially in schools where students are more susceptible to infections and outbreaks. Students should frequently wash their hands, cover their mouths when sneezing or coughing in classrooms, practice social distancing, test frequently, and stay home if they don’t feel well.
Recent studies have shown that the incubation periods have shifted to as little as 3 days with the BA.4 and 5 variants. Many components of the initial COVID variants are now moving faster than newer variants of Omicron, factors including infection rate and recovery time. Despite the declining incubation periods, if you test positive you are still advised to quarantine for 5 days and wear a mask the following 5 days.
Testing discrepancies are becoming increasingly more common with the Omicron variant. The FDA recommends taking 3 home tests to boost accuracy, since at-home test kits may not perform as well, and lead to false results. With more mutations come significant performance challenges for antigen-based tests which were mostly created to target original Covid strains, not all of the new mutations. If it is important to know for sure molecular or PCR Covid tests are the way to go in order to have a definitive answer.
Federal regulators have extended expiration dates for certain COVID testing kits. The U.S food and drug administration initially authorized a shelf life of only a few months, however manufacturers are testing beyond the expiration dates and finding that the tests are good for longer periods of time. Don’t be so quick to toss those expired test kits, especially with the government suspension of free COVID tests. They are most likely still good for several months. To check extended expiration dates on certain test kits, visit the FDA website for more information.