Personal protective equipments are essential during this period but the place of nutrition cannot be over emphasized, although there are no exercises that can boost immune system.

However, it does make pragmatic sense to engage in healthy behaviors to support your health and immune function during this pandemic. Our body needs many nutrients in adequate amounts to support our daily functions, including those that help our immune system work properly and help protect us against many diseases.

Remember that healthy foods are important for healthy immune function, but foods are not the same as medicines, and diet is limited in what it can achieve in relation to COVID-19. Furthermore, a simple multi-vitamin/mineral supplement may sometimes be indicated to fill nutrient gaps, but they are no substitute for real food. Once we recognize this, it becomes easier to think about how healthy foods can create tasty, nutritious meals.

Many nutrients are involved in promoting healthy immune system function. These nutrients can be found in a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein-rich foods:

• Protein and zinc: fish, lean beef, chicken, turkey, dairy products, beans, eggs, legumes, & soy-based foods

• Omega-3 fatty acids: salmon, mackerel, tuna, flaxseed, walnuts, and chia seeds

• Vitamin D: mackerel, fortified foods (mushrooms, milk, orange juice, tofu, soy beverages, some cereals), and egg yolks

• Antioxidant-rich foods: cantaloupe, papaya, citrus, blueberries, cranberries, grapes, apples, dark chocolate, tea, sweet potatoes, broccoli, carrots, spinach, bell, peppers, asparagus, onions, beets, and mushroom

• Prebiotic- and probiotic-containing foods: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, kimchi, lactobacillus and bifidobacterium-containing milk, kefir, and yogurt