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Published on: May 22, 2020
1 minute read
By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

Corona Virus In Young Patients And Kids

Kids seem to be relatively unaffected by COVID, but this does not mean they are invulnerable. As with adults, some children have pre-existing cardiac, respiratory, or metabolic conditions, and are therefore more vulnerable to the effects of COVID. Interestingly, children appear to have one more symptom when infected with coronavirus – COVID Toes.

I personally came across this phenomenon recently, with a young patient asymptomatic for COVID who presented with unusual symptoms of dark bruises on his toes. This had been present for just a few days. He did not have any pain, itching, swelling, no recent trauma, or injury to the feet. Circulation to his feet was normal, with no other rashes or skin changes, no other abnormal features in the history to note. It was certainly an odd presentation and certainly could have been an example of COVID toes.

This new phenomenon was noticed in April and has not gained as much notoriety because it is fairly rare compared to the major COVID symptoms, such as fever, cough, and lethargy. Doctors have described lesions on the feet of young people, usually purple-colored, around the tips of the toes. They have been compared to chilblains, painful swellings on feet, and toes that appear in the cold. Similarly to chilblains they do not cause any permanent damage and usually regress in days to weeks.

It's not clear why they occur or the mechanism behind the discoloration, because the presentation is rare and in healthy patients. We know COVID can cause systemic inflammation and can increase the risk of clot formation. It may be that localized inflammation is occurring in the toes, causing the vessels to clamp down and reduce blood flow to the area. This is similar to the mechanism for chilblains forming in the foot. Micro-clotting could also be partially responsible for this phenomenon.

COVID Toes is not the only skin symptoms related to COVID. In a paper published in the British Journal of Dermatology, researchers described five common skin presentations in 375 COVID patients. These were:

Asymmetrical chilblain like lesions in the hands and feet, found in younger patients lasting up to 2 weeks.
Small itchy blisters in the trunk and limbs, found in middle-aged patients before they present with symptoms, lasting about 10 days
Pink or white areas of raised skin, itchy, usually on the body
Raised bumps called macropapules, lasting about a week, seen in more severe infections.
Mottled, blotchy red-blue skin (known as livedo) seen in patients with severe illness.

So if you are currently suffering from COVID or have recently recovered from an infection, and suddenly notice odd colored toes, you too may have a case of COVID toes.

Dr Rajan Choudhary, UK, Chief Product Officer, Second Medic Inc

www.secondmedic.com

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Replace Junk with Subscription Snack Packs: A Practical Approach to Preventive Nutrition in India

India is witnessing a growing shift toward healthier eating habits, yet junk food consumption continues to rise across all age groups. According to ICMR and NFHS-5 data, high-calorie packaged snacks, sugary beverages and deep-fried foods contribute significantly to obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular risk. Replacing these items with nutritious snack alternatives is one of the simplest yet most effective steps toward preventive wellness.

Subscription snack packs offer a structured, convenient and affordable way to transition from unhealthy snacking to balanced nutrition. SecondMedic promotes this approach as part of a broader preventive health ecosystem that focuses on long-term behavioural change rather than temporary diets.

Why Indians are Choosing Healthy Snack Subscriptions

1. Convenience in fast-paced lifestyles

Urban and semi-urban households often depend on quick, accessible snacks to keep up with busy schedules. Healthy subscription packs bring pre-portioned nutrition directly to the doorstep.

2. Rising health concerns

India now ranks among the world’s highest in:

Diabetes prevalence
Childhood obesity
Hypertension
High cholesterol

Replacing junk food is essential for reducing these long-term risks.

3. Growing awareness of clean eating

People are moving toward:

Low-sugar
Low-sodium
High-fibre
High-protein
Non-fried
snack alternatives.

4. Cost-effectiveness

Contrary to belief, balanced snack packs cost less than repeated purchases of unhealthy packaged foods.

What Makes Subscription Snack Packs Healthier?

Healthy snack packs are curated for balanced nutrition:

• Nuts and seeds

Rich in healthy fats, fibre and minerals.

• Millet-based snacks

Low GI, nutrient-dense and suitable for diabetics.

• Dried fruits

Provide natural sweetness without refined sugar.

• Roasted chana and legumes

Excellent plant-based protein sources.

• Low-sugar bars

Made from oats, dates, nuts and seeds.

• Whole-grain crackers

Better than refined flour biscuits.

• Herbal teas

Support digestion and relaxation.

These snacks reduce cravings while supporting metabolic health.

Why Junk Food Needs Replacement

• High in trans fats

Linked to heart disease and inflammation.

• Excess sugar

Promotes insulin resistance, weight gain and metabolic syndrome.

• Refined flour

Lacks fibre and elevates glucose rapidly.

• Additives & preservatives

May contribute to long-term digestive and metabolic issues.

• Instant cravings

Junk foods trigger overeating by stimulating dopamine pathways.

Replacing them with healthier options breaks this cycle.

How Subscription Snack Packs Support Preventive Healthcare

1. Portion control

Pre-measured servings reduce the risk of overeating.

2. Balanced nutrition

Snack packs provide fibre, healthy fats and micronutrients missing from typical Indian diets.

3. Reduced decision fatigue

Users do not have to search for healthy options daily.

4. Behavioural consistency

Weekly or monthly packs promote long-term habit formation.

5. Support for chronic disease management

Especially helpful for:

Diabetes
PCOS
Thyroid issues
Heart disease

SecondMedic integrates snack guidance into dietitian consultations and AI-driven nutrition analysis.

The Role of AI Health Guide in Smarter Snacking

SecondMedic’s AI Health Guide provides:

• Calorie and nutrient insights

Evaluates daily intake based on user habits.

• Snack recommendations

Based on medical conditions, preferences and goals.

• Craving pattern analysis

Identifies triggers for unhealthy eating.

• Personalised preventive plans

Aligns snacking habits with heart, gut and metabolic health.

This makes snack substitution easier and more sustainable.

How to Transition from Junk Food to Healthy Snack Packs

Step 1: Identify your biggest cravings

Sugary, salty, crunchy or fried?

Step 2: Find healthier alternatives

For example:

Replace chips ? roasted makhana
Replace sweets ? dates + nuts
Replace biscuits ? whole-grain crackers

Step 3: Use subscription packs for structure

Pre-curated boxes guide behaviour change.

Step 4: Track progress

Energy levels improve within 2-4 weeks.

Step 5: Build long-term habits

Consistency leads to metabolic improvement.

Conclusion

Replacing junk food with subscription snack packs is an effective and convenient step toward preventive wellness in India. By combining healthier ingredients, balanced nutrition and consistent delivery, subscription packs help individuals make better choices daily. With expert guidance and AI-driven insights from SecondMedic, these changes become sustainable, personalised and impactful for long-term health.

References

• ICMR - Dietary Patterns & Junk Food Consumption Study
• NFHS-5 - Nutrition Deficiencies & Lifestyle Data India
• NITI Aayog - Preventive Health & Nutrition Strategy
• WHO - Healthy Diet & Non-Communicable Disease Guidelines
• Lancet - Consumption Patterns & Cardiometabolic Risk
• Statista India - Healthy Snacking Trends
• EY-FICCI - Consumer Behaviour Toward Preventive Health

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