16 Mar 2020



Last updated August 11 2020

Dietitians and the BDA have been asked many questions about nutrition and dietary issues related to the COVID-19 / Coronavirus pandemic.

We would always encourage members of the public to start by following the latest advice from governments, the NHS and public health authorities. It is important to note that guidance differs in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. You can find more information here;

In all cases, if you or someone you live with have COVID-19 symptoms, you should stay at home

If you have more specific concerns, please visit or call NHS 111 (NHS 24 in Scotland, NHS 111 in Wales or call 111 in NI) or contact your local health services in a safe and appropriate manner online or by phone. If you have a serious health issue, it is important that you still seek medical help. If you have a medical emergency, dial 999.

We have also created the following Frequently Asked Questions, which we will update and add to on a regular basis.

Supplements

Can I boost my immune system through my diet? Simply put, you cannot “boost” your immune system through diet, and no specific food or supplement will prevent you catching COVID-19/Coronavirus. Good hygiene practice remains the best means of avoiding infection. To date, the European Food Safety Authority have not authorised any claim for a food or food component in the UK to be labelled as protecting against infection. More info here. There are many nutrients that are involved with the normal functioning of the immune system, so we would encourage maintaining a health balanced diet in order to support immune function (include copper, folate, iron, selenium, zinc and vitamins A, B6, B12, C and D). We don't recommend any one food over another, but instead encourage eating a variety of foods to maintain a health balanced diet. See our Healthy Eating Food Fact Sheet for more tips and guidance on how to do that. Our Older People Specialist Group and the Rooted Project created an infographic you can share. Should I take a vitamin D supplement? Vitamin D works with calcium and phosphorus for healthy bones, muscles and teeth. It is also important in protecting muscle strength and preventing rickets, osteomalacia and falls. In normal circumstances, sunshine, not food, is where most of your vitamin D comes from. So even a healthy, well-balanced diet, that provides all the other vitamins and nutrients you need, is unlikely to provide enough vitamin D if you aren't able to get enough sun. During autumn and winter months when we spend more time indoors and the sun is weaker, adults and children over the age of one are advised to take a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of Vitamin D. Now we are in summer, if you can, you should seek to spend some time outdoors in the sunshine (e.g. your garden or balcony). However, if you are having to self isolate or if you are unable to go outside, you should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms to ensure a healthy vitamin D status (for adults and children over the age of one). All babies under one year should be given a daily supplement of 8.5-10 micrograms unless they have more than 500mls of fortified formula milk. You can also eat plenty of vitamin D rich foods, including: Oily fish such as salmon, sardines, pilchards, trout, herring, kippers and eel contain reasonable amounts of vitamin D.

Cod liver oil contains a lot of vitamin D, but don’t take this if you are pregnant.

Egg yolk, meat, offal and milk contain small amounts, but this varies during the seasons.

Margarine, some breakfast cereals, infant formula and some yoghurts have added vitamin D. Find out more in our Vitamin D Food Fact Sheet.

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BDA Advice in the media

Information type: Article

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