Coronavirus: Mediterranean diet and proteins, well quarantined

(ANSA) - ROME - At the table, in the long home quarantine imposed by the social distancing policies for the covid-19 emergency, well-being is guaranteed by a diet that includes the foods of the Mediterranean Diet, the proteins including the cold cuts of the next Easter and the movement within the home walls.

"In these days of forced inactivity it is even more necessary to eat properly. Today more than ever a wrong diet could not only weigh us down but even weaken us" underlines, in a note, the Institute for the Valorization of Italian Cured Meats (Ivsi). Michelangelo Giampietro, Specialist in Sports Medicine and Food Science recommends following the classic model of the Mediterranean diet. "A diet - advises Giampietro - rich in fruit, vegetables and carbohydrates, with the right amount of protein. Proteins are important because they also contribute to the proper functioning of our immune system and to maintaining muscle mass, helping us not to disperse the benefits of the physical activity carried out before the emergency. It is also very important to safeguard psychological well-being. Therefore, the aspect of taste and pleasure that we derive from food and that helps us to overcome these difficult days is not to be underestimated. brain produce serotonin, an antidepressant "action molecule, starting from tryptophan, an amino acid also contained in meat proteins with which salami is also rich. The cured meats therefore, also to reconcile us with the difficulties of this period, can be a suitable choice of consumption, a couple of times a week, preferring the combination with bread (or other foods rich in carbohydrates), a generous portion of vegetables , cooked or raw, and fresh seasonal fruit ".

And, continues the specialist, "those who want to train even at home, can use the exercise bike and / or the treadmill, for those who have them available, alternatively running and jumping on the spot, even resorting to jumping rope, very activity coaching, or walking stairs (respecting safety distances).

Finally, we can do bodyweight exercises, with or without the help of weights. If we want to use a load, but we do not have dumbbells, barbells or other specific tools available, we can use our own body (work with natural load) or household items, for example single bottles or packs of mineral water.

Alternatively, we dance or use motion video games which also have the advantage of involving the younger ones and bringing the family together.

All this, taking care to always start training with a good warm-up and to end it with cool-down, using classic muscle stretching exercises (stretching) ". (ANSA).