Too sweet food, snacking or meals taken at irregular times ... In this period of confinement, many French people admit to having taken bad eating habits. Not surprisingly, according to the doctor-nutritionist Arnaud Cocaul, guest Wednesday of Without appointment , on Europe 1, in view of the stress caused by the epidemic of coronavirus. According to him, however, we must not give up on having fun while eating, and favor foods that are good for our immune system.
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For the specialist, containment has at least one advantage with regard to food, "it is that people start cooking again from home." And to continue: "With the containment, people were forced to take again basic, to do something in their kitchen with the cans which they had or the fresh products of the primeurs of their street."
"The anxiety generates eating disorders"
But Dr. Arnaud Cocaul recognizes that confinement leads to eating disorders in some people, such as excessive snacking, in particular due to the stress caused by the current situation. "There is a lot of anxiety," he says, especially on the question of the coming deconfinement. "This anxiety is starting to generate eating disorders," says the nutritionist, "and the closer we get to May 11, the more these disorders will get worse."
However, Arnaud Cocaul invites confined people to do their shopping without putting pressure. "Treat yourself," he insists. For him, "this is not the time to go on a diet. We must quit this obsession with losing weight at all costs" by May 11. According to the food specialist, "if you can stabilize your weight out of confinement, it's already very good".
"The first immune weapon is your plate"
During your shopping, "take fruits and vegetables", invites Arnaud Cocaul, recalling that seasonal fruits like strawberries are starting to arrive in stores. "Put color and joie de vivre on your plate." In addition, for fruits and vegetables, frozen foods can be a solution, as long as they are not already prepared.
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Continuing to eat well is all the more important in this period of health crisis, reminds the guest of Europe 1, who insists that "the first immune weapon is your plate". So, "you have to eat diversified, with colors", and do not hesitate to use spices. Dairy products can be useful "to nourish the digestive flora". People who do not like dairy products can for their part favor "other sources of calcium such as dried fruit and almonds," says Arnaud Cocaul.