Are you one of the countless people in the world who are scheduled to have their COVID-19 vaccine? Whether you're scheduled for your first or second shot, you might be feeling nervous already about the possible side effects.
According to 710 WOR, experts are saying that our food intake prior to, and following a vaccine can help lessen anything we might be feeling after.
If you're wondering what effectively helps feel the adverse effect, a healthy diet including fruits, whole grains, vegetables, and proteins like fish, eggs, and poultry is highly recommended. Health, diet, and nutrition experts also said, avoiding red meat and dairy prior to a vaccination appointment is helpful.
A high-fiber diet can also contribute to the building of the immune system, as well as a low glycemic index diet the helps keep blood glucose levels steady.
5 Best Foods to Eat Before and After Getting Your COVID-19 Vaccine
Aside from the aforementioned, ginger tea can help with your stomach following a jab. Doctors are recommending that you do not do anything radical or drastic like detox or juicing.
Even with 5 of the best foods to eat below, as recommended by Eat This, Not That! Through MSN.com, it is essential that you still understand that side effects may still occur. Some people even suffer from fever, muscle pain, or nausea.
To help alleviate possible side effects, here are 5 of the best foods to eat before and after getting your COVID-19 vaccine:
1. Green Vegetables
We always here are parents and grandparents say "eat veggies," and surely, they're for good reasons! Green vegetables like spinach, collards, kale, and broccoli all have high antioxidant levels that help fight free radicals and combat inflammation in the body.
Broccoli in particular, has the antioxidant sulforaphane, as Healthline explains, which helps shield against oxidative stress and fights inflammation.
2. Stews and Soup
To guarantee that your immune response which originates in your guts, is properly nurtured, leading functional-medicine expert, Dr. Will Cole, who's also the author of Intuitive Fasting said, you would want to concentrate focus on foods, particularly stews and soups.
3. Onions and garlic
Both onions and garlic are rich in prebiotics which help feed the good microbes in your gut. More so, experts say, having a happy gut means being a "healthier you."
4. Turmeric
Described as bright orange root, turmeric may be considered the ultimate superfood. Studies have shown that curcumin, the active ingredient found in turmeric, not only combats inflammation but assists the function of the brain, as well, shielding the hippocampus from stress.
For Harvard nutritional psychiatrist Dr. Uma Naidoo, turmeric is her go-to-anti-stress food. Naidoo, also a trained chef and nutritional specialist who is the Nutritional & Lifestyle Psychiatry Director at Massachusetts General Hospital and the author of the book, This is Your Brain on Food also said, she adds turmeric to smoothies, soups, salads, and even tea.
5. Blueberries
These are yet another anti-inflammation favorites of Naidoo although she's not specifically recommending these fruits for post-vaccination meals.
Not only blueberries are great sources of antioxidants, but studies have also suggested that they increase the levels of serotonin, the hormone responsible for food balancing and regulation.
Blueberries are best consumed when added as toppings for unsweetened yogurt. Surely, you'll have an antioxidant-packed, probiotic-filled combo with this pair.
A related report on what to do before and after COVID-19 vaccination is shown on MU Health's YouTube video below:
Check out more news and information on COVID-19, Vaccines, and Medicine & Health on Science Times.
