Loss of taste and smell is perhaps one of the most common symptoms of coronavirus infection, but it also occurs in the short term for people who have colds or flu and some other illnesses. Loss of taste or smell makes it difficult for people to eat a healthy diet, because the inability to Enjoying food reduces the incentive to eat it well. eating well ‘, that there are things you can do to make sure you get the nutrients you need, even if you can’t taste food the way you normally do.
Causes of loss of sense of taste or smell
“Our ability to smell comes from the functions of a specific nerve, and taste involves the functions of many nerves, including specific cranial nerves,” said Caroline West-Pasrillo, a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. From a slight weakness to a complete loss.”
She added, that both senses naturally decline as we age, although the rate of this varies from person to person, explaining that smoking reduces the sense of taste and smell, and chronic smoking can lead to a significant decrease in both over time.
He pointed out that there are other, more specific and immediate causes of impaired smell (smell) and taste, including inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose and sinuses, which can occur when your body defends itself against viruses such as the common cold or the Corona virus, linked to a weak sense of smell.
He explained that tumors, head trauma, and some medications can impair our ability to taste and smell. This can happen with many medications, but it is particularly severe and common in chemotherapy and radiation to treat cancer.
Tips for maintaining a balanced diet with weak senses
“Eating food with a poor sense of taste or smell may not be pleasurable, because taste is still the number one reason most people choose to eat the foods they eat,” said Pasrillo, and recommended that the guidelines be followed. MyPlate By filling half your plate with vegetables or fruits, a quarter with protein and a quarter with starch (preferably whole grains, starchy vegetables, beans or legumes).
Don’t add too much salt or sugar, Pasrillo cautions. Be mindful of how much you add to foods and in this case, don’t “taste the salt” as that may put you above the daily recommendation for sodium intake. Instead, try using acids like lemon juice or Vinegar to season foods.
The acid is a very strong flavor that appears even when it weakens the taste or aroma, and it does not add any sodium, sugar or calories. Excessive spices can also be beneficial. Black pepper, cayenne pepper (if you like spicy foods), cinnamon, cumin, garlic powder, and ginger can add strong flavors that may come even with a reduced sense of taste or smell.
The change in taste and smell fades over time.
If you’ve recently recovered from a cold, flu, or other virus, you may be frustrated to find that your sense of taste and smell is still turned off after days or weeks, and your senses will likely soon return to normal.
If you are experiencing changes in your sense of taste due to ageing, smoking, ongoing cancer treatments, or medications used to treat a chronic condition, it may be the case that you will deal with these changes in the long term. Be careful not to add too much salt to foods, as eating too much sodium can have negative health effects, and although it is normal to gravitate towards sweet flavors in these circumstances, try to choose naturally sweet foods whenever possible rather than always reaching for Sweets or sweets that contain a lot of sugar.