What Should You Eat After COVID Vaccination? Here's what experts say

Covid-19 vaccinations came into full effect in the latter part of 2020 and the entirety of 2021. Starting with frontline and essential workers, now, in 2022, most of the world’s population is vaccinated with the first two doses of the vaccine.

Governments in certain countries have also made the booster shot accessible to the citizens. Knowing about the dietary dos and don'ts is crucial if you haven’t had your COVID vaccination yet.

Not just the foods to avoid after vaccination, knowing about the foods to eat is equally important. Maintaining an optimal nutritional balance before and after vaccination reduces the after-effects, including pain, discomfort, and inflammation.

This article will explore everything you should eat after your COVID vaccination and why.

Why should I avoid Alcohol after vaccination?

Before discussing food, experts suggest avoiding alcohol entirely before and after the vaccination.

But why?

The CDC reports that the vaccine affects different people differently. While some individuals don’t experience symptoms, others experience signs of pain, nausea, fever, inflammation, chills, etc.

Alcohol consumption before and after the vaccine leads to dehydration. This can potentially alter the side effects, making them worse. Sometimes, drinking after the COVID vaccination meddles with your body’s reaction to the vaccine. So, for optimal effect of the vaccine, avoid consuming alcohol for at least a week after the vaccination.

A 2015 study also highlights that alcohol directly stresses the immune system. The weakened immune system might trigger responses that can damage the vaccine’s vitality in the short term.

Will anti-inflammatory foods Curb the Vaccine Side-effects?

Another dietary inclusion after the COVID vaccination that experts highlight is anti-inflammatory foods.

Supplementing the body with anti-inflammatory foods and Vitamin-C-rich supplements can optimize the immune system, helping the vaccination work better in the future.

Since the COVID vaccination is still a fairly new form of assistive therapy, researchers are still apprehensive about pairing the vaccine with various supplements. So, instead of stuffing yourself with different vaccines, thinking they would amplify the impacts of the Covid-19 vaccine, stick to a nutritional diet from natural sources.

Anti-inflammatory fruits and vegetables support the immune system and reduce the risks of inflammation in the body post-vaccination.

• Some good sources include turmeric, which has both antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. You can consume it with milk or add it to the food to reduce the side effects of inflammation in the body post-vaccination.
• Another great anti-inflammatory food is fish. Healthy fats like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are found abundantly in the fish, supporting post-vaccination blues in the individual. Surprisingly enough, the omega-3 fatty acids in fish and other sources convert into resolvins, which have anti-inflammatory effects on the body.
• Many individuals have a common question: "Can we eat chicken after COVID vaccine?” And the answer is yes. Protein sources are good for strength and immune system support after a vaccine. Also, chicken soups are ideal for combating post-vaccine symptoms like fever, cough, and muscle aches.

Pre-cooked and frozen meal prepping is ideal if you don’t want to cook after your vaccine dose. Since fever, chills, and fatigue are quite common with the COVID vaccine, batch cook your meals for at least 2-3 days after the vaccine dose.

How much water Should I consume after vaccination?

Besides the “after vaccine food,” you also need to prioritize water consumption. Not just after the vaccine, hydration is crucial before vaccination too.

Dehydration can lead to dizzy spells in individuals with poor health or needle phobia. However, drinking bottle after bottle of water might not be for everyone.

So, eating fruits and vegetables can be a good replacement too. Some fruits and veggies with high water content include watermelon, citrus fruits, tomatoes, pineapple, etc.

If you aren’t fond of fresh produce, soups and broths are a good alternative for hydration. Optimal hydration post-vaccination is crucial to combat signs of discomfort and fever that come with the COVID vaccination.

What about processed foods after Vaccination?

It isn’t surprising that the consumption of processed foods has taken a front seat during the pandemic. They are cheaper, more accessible, and they taste better. However, they are also high in sodium, unhealthy fats, and sugar.

When it comes to your diet post-COVID vaccination, processed foods are a big NO. They contribute to inflammation and do no good to the body.

Instead, swap your processed and refined foods with healthier whole-food versions in the pantry. Although there aren’t many conclusive studies highlighting eating habits for maximizing the vaccine’s impacts, eating healthy indeed supports the immune system post-vaccination.

Besides fruits and veggies, try to get rid of the refined foods from your pantry, including refined flour bread, starchy pasta, etc. Instead, opt for whole-grain bread, semolina or durum wheat pasta, brown sugar instead of white sugar, etc.

Consuming minimal amounts of processed food should be part of the daily dietary intake, not just post-vaccination.

Be Prepared Ahead of Time

Nobody is 100% sure or accurate about the post-vaccination side effects. As we said, not every person experiences the side effects. However, we’d recommend that you stay ahead of time.

Instead of keeping things to the last minute, think ahead of time. Prepare your meals ahead of time and freeze them. Doing so ensures that you won’t have to worry about cooking at the last moment.

Also, try and cook neutral meals like soups, sandwiches, etc., that are light on the stomach since nausea is a common side effect of the vaccine.

You might lose your appetite for a day or two after the vaccine, especially if you spike a fever and muscle ache. In that case, soups and broths are a perfect supplement. They are rich in healthy nutrients; they are nourishing and easy on the stomach.

Conclusion

Everyone has a different experience with the COVID vaccination. So, we’d recommend that you do what you feel is the best for your health and well-being post-vaccination. This article explores everything in detail, hoping it helps you have a comfortable experience after getting jabbed.