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Published on: Jun 10, 2021
1 minute read
By: Dr Rachana Choudhary

How To Travel Safely During COVID Times.

As more people are vaccinated for COVID-19, many are looking forward to being able to travel again. While many restrictions have been lifted, COVID-19 has not gone away. So how safe is it to travel?

Vaccination- So what is the most important step to ensuring safe travel Without a doubt, the most important thing people can do to protect themselves is to get vaccinated for COVID-19. I recommend that all eligible people get vaccinated for COVID-19. That is going to dramatically decrease your risk of getting infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and also dramatically decrease the risk that even if you were infected, you could transmit it to others.

Masks – The most important thing is to know if fully vaccinated travelers still required to wear a mask on an airplane. Yes, because we still have a considerable number of people in who are not vaccinated yet. And on airplanes, people are in close proximity for a longer period of time.

Beyond getting vaccinated for COVID-19 and wearing a mask in airports, and on planes, buses, and trains it's also still important to practice good hand hygiene and keep your area clean with disinfectant wipes.

Monitor Symptoms & Quarantine - What steps should we take when you return from travel? When people return from travel, some may wonder whether they should be tested for COVID-19. The need to test depends on where they're traveling from. There's no need to be tested and there's need to quarantine. Most importantly we should continue to monitor for symptoms.

If at any time during or after travel people start to develop symptoms that are consistent with COVID-19, such as, fever, shortness of breath, or loss of taste or smell, they should be evaluated by a provider and likely be tested for COVID-19.

What should people who are traveling with children do?

For families looking to plan a summer getaway with children who are not yet eligible to be vaccinated for COVID-19, they can still travel safely. It just takes a little bit of thought and planning. If you have children who are unvaccinated, that is probably not the time to bring them to areas where lots of people are congregating because we know they're still at risk of getting infected with COVID-19 if other people in that area are not vaccinated for COVID-19 and can transmit the virus. Even if your children are fastidious masking, there's still a risk.

If you have unvaccinated children, I think it's still safe to fly. But of course, they will always be masked. If you go to places that are more outdoors in more open space, where you're not congregated with lots of other people, I think it's very safe. You just have to think through the steps of what's going to happen on the vacation and position things so that you're not putting your unvaccinated children at risk."

Whether traveling or just attending events with large amounts of people, the bottom line is precautions still need to be taken.

We still do have people getting infected with COVID-19. We still have people being hospitalized. And, unfortunately, we still have people who are dying, as well. So, we're not completely done with this. We still have to be careful.

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Role of Nutrition in Disease Prevention: How Food Choices Shape Long-Term Health

Disease prevention is no longer limited to vaccinations and medical screenings. Modern healthcare increasingly recognises nutrition as one of the most powerful tools for preventing illness before it begins. The role of nutrition in disease prevention is especially important in India, where lifestyle-related diseases account for a large share of premature illness and mortality.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), poor dietary patterns contribute significantly to rising cases of diabetes, heart disease, obesity and hypertension. Unlike genetic factors, nutrition is a modifiable risk factor, meaning everyday food choices can actively protect health.

Why Nutrition Is Central to Disease Prevention

1. Nutrition regulates metabolic health

Balanced diets help maintain:

healthy blood sugar levels
optimal cholesterol balance
stable blood pressure

Disruption in these systems increases disease risk.

2. Nutrition strengthens immunity

WHO highlights that immune function depends heavily on adequate intake of vitamins, minerals and protein.

3. Nutrition controls inflammation

Chronic low-grade inflammation is linked to most lifestyle diseases. Diets rich in whole foods reduce inflammatory markers.

Major Diseases Influenced by Nutrition

Diabetes and Prediabetes

Excess refined carbohydrates and sugar drive insulin resistance.

Preventive nutrition focuses on:

whole grains
fibre-rich vegetables
adequate protein
controlled portion sizes

ICMR data shows that dietary modification can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes in high-risk individuals.

Cardiovascular Disease

Heart disease remains a leading cause of death in India.

Nutrition impacts:

cholesterol levels
blood pressure
arterial inflammation

Diets low in trans fats and high in fibre significantly reduce cardiovascular risk, as confirmed by WHO and Lancet studies.

Obesity

Obesity increases the risk of multiple chronic diseases.

Preventive nutrition addresses:

calorie density
food quality
satiety regulation

NFHS-5 reports a steady rise in overweight and obesity across age groups.

Hypertension

High sodium intake and low potassium intake contribute to high blood pressure.

Preventive dietary strategies include:

reducing processed foods
increasing fruits and vegetables
maintaining mineral balance

Certain Cancers

Diet influences cancer risk through:

antioxidant intake
fibre consumption
reduced exposure to carcinogenic compounds

WHO estimates that a significant percentage of cancers are preventable through diet and lifestyle changes.

Key Nutrients That Support Disease Prevention

Fibre

Supports gut health, blood sugar control and cholesterol reduction.

Protein

Essential for muscle health, immune function and metabolic balance.

Healthy Fats

Omega-3 fats reduce inflammation and protect heart health.

Micronutrients

Iron, zinc, vitamin D and B vitamins are essential for metabolic and immune regulation.

NFHS-5 highlights widespread micronutrient deficiencies in India, increasing disease vulnerability.

Role of Gut Health in Prevention

The gut microbiome plays a major role in:

immune regulation
inflammation control
nutrient absorption

Fermented foods and fibre-rich diets support healthy gut bacteria, strengthening disease resistance.

Why Preventive Nutrition Works Best Early

Nutrition is most effective when applied:

before disease onset
during pre-disease stages
alongside regular health screening

Once disease progresses, nutrition remains supportive but may not reverse damage fully.

Nutrition vs Medication in Prevention

Medication treats disease; nutrition reduces risk.

WHO and NITI Aayog emphasize that:

preventive nutrition reduces disease incidence
lifestyle modification lowers healthcare burden
early nutrition changes reduce dependency on long-term medication

Both approaches work best when combined appropriately.

Workplace and Community Role in Preventive Nutrition

Structured nutrition programs at workplaces and communities:

improve awareness
support behaviour change
reduce population-level disease burden

Lancet studies show that group-based nutrition interventions improve long-term adherence.

Common Myths About Nutrition and Disease Prevention

Myth 1: Supplements replace healthy food

Whole foods provide better long-term protection.

Myth 2: Prevention requires extreme diets

Consistency matters more than restriction.

Myth 3: Nutrition only matters after diagnosis

Early nutrition is most effective before disease develops.

Building a Preventive Nutrition Routine

Effective preventive nutrition includes:

regular meals
diverse food groups
portion awareness
minimal processed foods
hydration

Small daily choices compound into long-term health benefits.

Long-Term Impact of Preventive Nutrition

Consistent healthy eating leads to:

reduced disease risk
improved energy and productivity
better immune resilience
lower healthcare costs
improved quality of life

NITI Aayog identifies nutrition as a cornerstone of sustainable healthcare systems.

Conclusion

Understanding the role of nutrition in disease prevention empowers individuals to take control of their health long before illness develops. Balanced, consistent nutrition reduces inflammation, supports immunity and protects against chronic diseases that burden India’s healthcare system. Preventive nutrition is not about short-term fixes but about building lifelong habits that support health, resilience and longevity.

References

ICMR – Nutrition and Lifestyle Disease Prevention Reports
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Dietary and Metabolic Health Data
NITI Aayog – Preventive Healthcare and Nutrition Strategy Reports
WHO – Diet, Nutrition and Chronic Disease Prevention Guidelines
Lancet – Nutrition and Disease Risk Reduction Studies
Statista – Dietary Trends and Health Outcomes India
EY-FICCI – Preventive Healthcare and Nutrition Economics

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