There is no specific diet that can prevent or cure Long COVID, but following a healthy eating pattern as much as you can, when you can, can have a positive effect on your overall health and can support your recovery journey.

 

Healthy eating can help:

• Support your immune system

• Improve your energy levels

• Aid recovery by building and repairing muscles and tissues

• Reduce inflammation and chronic disease risk

• Enhance mood

• Achieve a healthy weight

 

Healthy eating when living with long COVID can be challenging for many different reasons, including:

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• Fatigue: People with Long COVID often experience chronic fatigue, which can make it difficult to find the energy to shop for, prepare, and cook healthy meals.

• Brain fog: The cognitive impairment associated with brain fog can affect memory, concentration, and decision making. These symptoms can make it harder for someone to plan meals, follow a balanced diet, and even remember to eat regularly.

• Loss of appetite or taste changes: Many people with Long COVID experience changes in their sense of taste or smell or a loss of appetite. These symptoms can make eating less enjoyable and might cause people to avoid certain foods.

 

However, there are small, doable strategies you can use to follow a healthy eating pattern most of the time. 

 

Other impacts related to nutrition

• Weight gain or loss: People with Long COVID may experience unintentional weight loss or unintentional weight gain. Ask a family doctor for a referral to a Registered Dietitian to help you achieve a healthy weight to improve your overall health.

• Taste and smell changes: If you are struggling to eat because of taste and smell changes due to Long COVID, please visit Taste and Smell Changes in this MyGuide for ideas on how to improve the taste of food.

• Dysphagia: If you have difficulty swallowing your foods or fluids, please talk to a family doctor and consider a referral to a Registered Speech and Language Pathologist. 

• Mood: There is some research showing that a healthy eating pattern can help your mood. 

• New food sensitivities with Long COVID: Some people develop new food sensitivities with Long COVID. A dietitian can help identify triggers, recommend suitable alternatives, and create a balanced symptom-friendly meal plan.