Keeping Children's Appetite Important In The Midst Of A Pandemic

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JAKARTA - A nutritionist, Arti Indira, reminded parents about the importance of maintaining their child's appetite, especially in the midst of a pandemic like now. The immune system must be maintained, especially for children who are infected with COVID-19. “For children, make sure the food has an attractive appearance. For example, making vegetable soup, the contents are colorful, that's why children usually have more appetite," said doctor Indira, who graduated cum laude from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia (FKUI). It is important for children in the midst of a pandemic in an effort to maintain the body's immunity, and decreased or prolonged loss of appetite in a situation like now can be dangerous for children's health.

He said that the food served for children exposed to COVID-19 must meet the standards of balanced nutrition guidelines so that the body's metabolic processes can work optimally and the body's immune system can work well against evil viruses that carry disease.

As for the portion of balanced nutrition that must be fulfilled in a plate, it is half part for vegetables and fruit, then one quarter part for complex carbohydrates, and a quarter part for protein.

Make sure the ingredients provided are also fresh ingredients and preferably not super-processed ingredients such as sausages or corned beef. “So just give food that you like but remember to have balanced nutrition, right. It can also be used for fruit, if the child doesn't want to eat it, it can be made into popsicles that are actually made from fruit. It can also increase children's appetite," said the doctor who is active as a content creator on social media.

In addition to providing an attractive appearance, giving herbal concoctions with a delicious taste can also be used as an alternative to increase appetite not only for children but also for adults in the midst of handling COVID-19.

One of the recommendations for herbal preparations or herbs that can be consumed to increase appetite is turmeric and ginger.

You can directly process turmeric and ginger from fresh ingredients or you can directly consume the extract in the form of capsules that already have a distribution permit from the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM).

"Turmeric using milk is also very delicious, it can be an inspiration for herbal preparations to increase immunity," said Chairman of PDPPOTJI, doctor Ingrid Kurnia, suggesting a choice of herbal menus to increase appetite