Going on a grocery run this week? Have this checklist at the ready for getting the right grub leading up to your Covid-19 vaccination.
Wondering if you should celebrate your first or second jab with some tipple? What about that juice cleanse you were thinking of starting? We answer those questions and more with this guide on eating and drinking well before and after 'the big day'. Keep on reading below.
The following information was compiled with the aid of Dr Leong Moh Ying, medical director of B&Co Clinic.
See also: Maskne Is Real: Face Mask Breakouts And How To Prevent Them
1. DO: Eat more anti-inflammatory foods
Feeling yucky after getting vaccinated is perfectly normal and even shows that your immune system is putting up a good fight. "One sign of the body doing its work is experiencing acute inflammation, which always carries some degree of discomfort, whether through pain or a fever," explains Dr Leong Moh Ying.
Acute inflammation is part of the natural healing process.
That being said, it is possible to alleviate unpleasant side effects by increasing one's intake of anti-inflammatory foods. These contain antioxidants which, according to the doctor, help our body neutralise free radicals—in normal speak, it helps with the healing process.
Olive oil, fatty fish, chia seeds, flax seeds, nuts, berries, leafy greens, and spices and herbs such as ginger, rosemary and turmeric are rich with omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Related: 5 Essential Nutrients To Boost Your Immune System, According To A Dietitian
