It’s 2020. We are in the midst of a global pandemic from the Corona Virus. The US declared a national emergency. Who would have thought!

Are you scared? I’m not gonna lie. I am. I have never experienced anything like this before.

As bad as it seems, fear is no way to live. When it comes to taking care of yourself, stress can have negative effects on your health and also result in unwanted pounds from emotional eating.

Experts say the best way to cope is to be in control. In other words, don’t freak out. And I will share some helpful tips about coping and avoiding emotional eating in a minute.

But first, since I am a nutrition and weight expert, I can offer advice for taking care of yourself regarding what you eat.

We want a strong immune system. Our immune system fights bad things going on in our bodies. Bad things like infections from viruses and bacteria.

To help fight the Corona virus, support your immune system.

That means… eat healthy foods. Keep in mind, there are no magic foods or cures.

Will eating a box of cookies or a big plate of pasta help maintain a healthy immune system? Probably not. It may be soothing temporarily, but think about the nutrients. There are very few important nutrients in cookies and pasta.

Along with feeling sluggish, there may even be guilt or shame from over consuming unhealthy comfort foods. It’s not a win-win situation.

An easy way to aid the immune system is to eat enough protein, fruits and vegetables. These foods contain powerhouses of nutrients. FYI: It’s basically eating healthfully.

Protein along with minerals like zinc and magnesium support the immune system. Choose healthy, lean proteins every day.

Eating a rainbow of colorful fruits and vegetables provide antioxidants like vitamin C and phytonutrients that protect your cells from harm.

Choose vegetables such as red bell peppers for its vitamin c and beta carotene. Eating broccoli, avocadoes and asparagus may help increase levels of the antioxidant glutathione.

Don’t forget to include anti-inflammatory foods like garlic, onions, ginger, and tumeric

Here’s a tip to stay calm:

Don’t let the Corona virus control you. To be in control, avoid the fear of the unknown by staying informed. Get updates every day. But don’t be over informed. To hear the same scary news over and over again can increase anxiety. To calm nerves, it will be reassuring to know that you are doing your part by eating important, nutritious foods.

There’s a strong likelihood that lots of people are overdoing the emotional eating. To at least control the amounts, NEVER eat out of a carton or bag. Pour or scoop what you want into a bowl.

Along with hand washing and social distancing, get enough sleep, get daily physical activity and have a positive attitude.

For the latest, reliable information on specific details regarding COVID-19, go to the CDC’s website. CDC.gov/Covid19

We can and will get through this scary situation.

Questions? Comments? Share your thoughts!

Do you want to overcome emotional eating? Grab a copy of The Food Is My Friend Diet. For quick and healthy recipes, don’t forget to check out my ebook The Food Is My Friend Diet Quick and Easy Cookbook. Try it. You’ll like it.

Have a nutritious day!

Until next time, stay safe.