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Helpful Tips For Eating Healthy During The Summer Months
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by Candace Y.A. Montague
or more than 100 days the DC area residents have been confined to the indoors due to COVID. Many people have had to get their food supply via delivery or venture quickly into the local grocery store. As the summer months roll in and DC moves into phase 2 of reopening, there is a sense of renewal in the air, but restrictions ae still in place. Even so, there are many choices for obtaining and eating fresh, healthy food. East of the River spoke with Charmaine Jones, registered dietician and owner of Food Jonezi, a nutrition consulting firm in Southeast. Jones has continued to consult her clients through video chats. “I like the video appointments with my clients because then I can see what’s in their pantry and see the utensils, bowls, plates they use. Gives me a good idea about their portion control.” One pro tip from Jones as the world slowly moves towards opening up is to continue cooking meals at home. “If you have not noticed, preparing home cooked meals are a great way to build healthier relationships with your family, decrease your intake of high sodium meals/snacks from fast foods and restaurants, and save on your budget.” 18
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Eating For Overall Good Health
Warding off the Coronavirus has many people thinking differently about their diets. The Center for Diseases Control advises that although there are no foods that treat or prevent COVID-19, your diet can enhance parts of the immune system. Foods that are rich in vitamins C and D, and zinc are noted as nutrients that are the most helpful for maintaining a healthy immune system. But targeting your diet in addition to the many other tasks on your plate can be arduous. Instead Jones suggests that people focus on their guts--as in gut (stomach) health. “When you adopt a healthy diet, the immune friendly foods are already there. So go for foods that are good for gut health like Charmaine Jones, registered dietician and owner of Food Jonezi. Photo: Lavan Anderson
leafy veggies and fruit. Those are foods that are high in probiotics and antioxidants.” Most of all, try to keep going with the healthy habits you may have started during the pandemic. “Don’t fall back into your old routine of doing things,” says Jones. “If you see that you have lost weight by eating more home cooked meals, then keep that up. If you notice that you feel better and your health has improved because you have increased exercising, then keep that up.”
Where to Find The Goods?
The Nutrition and Physical Fitness Bureau of DC Health works to keep residents connected with community sources for food and other health needs. A spokesperson for the bureau says that ensuring that everyone has
