Anosmia is one of the symptoms that is widely reported by people who are confirmed positive for Covid-19. What is anosmia?
Anosmia is a condition where the sense of smell is temporarily lost. In addition to being unable to smell, some Covid-19 patients in mild cases even experience disturbances in their sense of taste.
Anosmia can affect the patient’s appetite. This makes it difficult to maintain nutritious food intake in patients, especially if those who experience anosmia are pediatric patients. Whereas maintaining a nutritious food intake is important for Covid-19 patients.
Then, what is the solution?
The following, Popmama.com have summarized the tactics to overcome the appetite of children who lost due to anosmia when infected with Covid-19 according to Nutrition Specialist dr. Sheena RA, M Nutrition, SpGK.
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1. Don’t miss a meal
familydoctor.org—
Maintaining nutritious food intake is important for Covid-19 patients. Therefore, do not let the child skip a meal, even if it is not appetizing.
“Still forced to eat. Don’t let that feeling limit us so, ‘Ah, I don’t have an appetite anymore’, and then…skip eat it and don’t eat it at all,” said dr. Sheena in the KPCPEN Thursday News Dialogue “Prokes Tightened During Emergency PPKM” broadcast via channel Youtube FMB9ID_IKP (8/7/2021).
This advice applies to adults or Covid-19 survivors, but can also be applied to children. Mama can just adjust the menu.
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2. Give the child soft or gravy food
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One way to maintain nutritious food intake in children who are experiencing anosmia is to give them soft foods. For meat, it can be chopped. Soft foods will make it easier for children to eat.
“Like eating porridge to make it easier for us to eat,” said dr. Sheena.
In addition to soft foods, Mama can also give children soupy foods to make them easier to swallow.
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3. Liquid food can be an option
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If soft food or gravy doesn’t work, your child is still nauseous and doesn’t have an appetite, you can give him liquid food. Liquid food will help make it easier for your child to eat, especially if he has difficulty swallowing due to Covid-19.
Dr. Sheena explains that there are several specially formulated liquid foods. These liquid foods already contain the nutrients the body needs; such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
However, it is better to consult a doctor first before giving it to children, Ma.
That’s a tactic to overcome the appetite of children who lost due to anosmia when infected with Covid-19. Hopefully this information can help mothers who are caring for children who have anosmia due to Covid-19.
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