COVID AND

CHILDREN:

NUTRITION “FACTS
AND MYTHS” AND
ADVICE ON
PRECAUTIONS

DR RAHUL REDDY,
PEDIATRICIAN
FAMILY CLINIC, SANTOSH NAGAR
BASIC PROTECTIVE MEASURES

 Regularly and thoroughly wash hands with soap and water or clean them with an alcohol-based hand rub.

 Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze, then dispose of the
used tissue immediately. Teach your child to do the same.
 Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth (hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses).

 Stay at least 1 metre away from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

WASH HANDS WITH SOAP TO PREVENT SPREAD OF COVID-19
 Washing hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds is critical to fighting the spread of COVID-19, and is
important for the health of your baby, and your entire family.
 Always wash your hands during these critical times:  Before preparing and eating foods  Before feeding infants and
young children
 It is also important to wash hands frequently, especially after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing into a tissue,
cleaning your home
WHAT FOOD SHOULD BE CONSUMED TO SUPPORT IMMUNITY?
 The immune system requires the support of many nutrients.

 It is recommended to consume a variety of foods for a healthy and balanced diet, including whole grains,
legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts and animal source foods.
 There is no single food that will prevent you from catching COVID-19.
CAN I GET COVID-19 FROM EATING FRESH VEGETABLES AND
FRUIT?

 There is currently no evidence that people can catch COVID-19 from food, including fruits and vegetables.

 Fresh fruits and vegetables are part of a healthy diet and their consumption should be encouraged.
HOW SHOULD I WASH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES IN COVID
TIMES?
 Wash fruit and vegetables the same way you would in any other circumstance.

 Before handling them, wash your hands with soap and water.

 Then wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly with clean water, especially if you eat them raw. 
CAN THE VIRUS LIVE ON FOOD PACKAGING?
 Coronaviruses need a live animal or human host to multiply and survive and cannot multiply on the surface of
food packages.
 It is not necessary to disinfect food packaging materials, but hands should be properly washed after handling
food packages and before eating
CAN THE VIRUS TRANSMIT THROUGH COOKED FOOD, LIKE
ANIMAL PRODUCTS?
 There is currently no evidence that people can catch COVID-19 from food.

 The virus that causes COVID-19 can be killed at temperatures similar to that of other known viruses and
bacteria found in food.
 Foods such as meat, poultry and eggs should always be thoroughly cooked to at least 70°C.
IS IT SAFE TO GO TO GROCERY STORES TO COLLECT
VEG/FRUITS?

 Yes, it is generally safe to go grocery shopping and to markets by following the below prevention measures:

• Maintain at least a 1-metre distance from others, and if you can’t maintain this distance, wear a mask (many
stores now require a mask).
• Once home, wash your hands thoroughly and also after handling and storing your purchased products. 

 There is currently no confirmed case of COVID-19 transmitted through food or food packaging.
 IS IT SAFE TO HAVE GROCERIES DELIVERED?

 Yes, it is safe to have groceries delivered if the provider follows good personal and food hygiene practices.

 After accepting food/grocery deliveries, hands should be properly washed.

WHAT IS THE BEST DISINFECTANT FOR SURFACES?

 Regular household cleaning and disinfection products will effectively eliminate the virus from household
surfaces. 
 For cleaning and disinfecting households with suspected or confirmed COVID19, surface virucidal
disinfectants, such as 0.05% sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and products based on ethanol (at least 70%),
should be used.
ARE VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTS NEEDED?
 Vitamin D can be made in the skin by exposure to sunlight or obtained through the diet from natural sources
(e.g. fatty fishes such as salmon, tuna and mackerel, fish liver oils, beef liver, cheese and egg yolks), or from
vitamin D-fortified foods or vitamin D-containing supplements.
 In situations where individuals’ vitamin D status is already marginal or where foods rich in vitamin D (including
vitamin D-fortified foods) are not consumed, and exposure to sunlight is limited, a vitamin D supplement in
recommended doses can be taken.
CAN PROBIOTICS HELP PREVENT COVID-19?
 No. Probiotics are live microorganisms that are generally added to foods or used as a supplement to the diet
to confer a health benefit.
 However, there is currently no evidence to support the use of probiotics to help prevent or cure COVID-19. 
 CAN GINGER HELP PREVENT COVID-19?
 No. There is no evidence that eating ginger has protected people from COVID-19. However, ginger is a food
that may have some antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
CAN GARLIC HELP PREVENT COVID-19?

 No. There is no evidence that eating garlic has protected people from COVID-19.

 However, garlic is a food that may have some antimicrobial properties.

 CAN ADDING PEPPER HELP TO PREVENT OR CURE COVID-19?
 No. There is no evidence that adding hot peppers to your food can prevent or cure COVID-19.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS!
CONTACT NUMBER: 9100912378