Nutritional resources for COVID-19
For each of us, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a significant personal and professional experience.
It has been a pandemic of many phases. Our collective energy and attention has been drawn towards managing one set of priorities, before moving to the next.
Throughout, Education in Nutrition has been committed to responding to our profession’s needs as they emerge.
We’ve looked at optimising nutrition for immune function and delivering nutrition therapy on COVID wards; addressed practical and emotion challenges of eating during lockdown, including the spike of eating disorder presentations; looking now to the disproportionate impact experienced by low socioeconomic communities and the ongoing challenges of living with long COVID
We’ve collated Education in Nutrition’s Nutritional resources for COVID-19 below.
Long COVID and chronic fatigue syndrome
Luke Hassan, APD
- Be able to define long COVID / Post-Acute Sequalae Covid (PASC) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
- Understand the links between the two conditions
- Understand the nutrition impact symptoms involved in PASC and ME/CFS
- Be aware of the role that dietitians have when supporting patients with these conditions
Read a review of the presentation here
The impact of COVID-19 on eating disorders
Sylvia Pyatt, UK and New Zealand Registered Dietitian
- How the COVID-19 pandemic affected rates and presentations of eating disorders (Internationally and across Australia and New Zealand)
- Factors contributing to the worsening of eating disorder symptoms during the pandemic (a review of qualitative literature)
- How dietitians can change their practice in response to increasing demand for treatment
Read a review of the presentation here
Nutrition on COVID wards
Annalise Farah, APD and Ashwini Menon, APD RPAH, Sydney
Two dietitians at RPAH Sydney share their experiences with the Delta strain
Their discussion covers:
- Challenges of the Delta strain
- Communication barriers with COVID patients
- Managing:
- Hydration
- Nausea and loss of appetite
- General tips when setting up a COVID ward
- Managing personal challenges
Read a review of the presentation here
Acknowledging the social determinants of health
Dr Rebecca Lindberg, Katrina Doljanin, APD
- What are the social determinants of health?
- How social disadvantage can lead to poor health
- Addressing a client’s social disadvantage within clinical practice
- Understanding the community within which you work
- Identifying social barriers to heath which may be present
- Utilising available supports
- Advocating for programs that support disadvantaged populations
Read a review of the presentation here
Food, anxiety and optimising immunity
Susie Burrell, APD, M.Sc (Coaching Psych)
How anxiety during COVID-19 may be impacting ourselves and our clients
Evidence for immunity considering:
- Zinc
- Selenium
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- The role of the gut
- Fasting
- Medicinal remedies- garlic, echinacea, olive leaf extract
- Soup
- Foods to avoid
- General lifestyle factors
Successful nutrition from home during COVID-19 lockdowns
Susie Burrell, APD, M.Sc (Coaching Psych)
This presentation provides information for a general audience with an interest in eating well at home
Susie talks about:
- The health pros and cons of being at home 24/7
- Avoiding weight gain
- The myth of self-control
- Mindful eating
- Portion guide
- Cooking tips
Treatment of COVID-19
Dr Suzie Ferrie, AdvAPD, PhD
Background to COVID 19
- How it acts to cause respiratory failure
- High risk populations
- Medical management
Case study:
A 64yr old woman (PHx obesity, type 2 diabetes and lupus, otherwise well) was enjoying a cruise ship holiday when she experienced a cough and myalgia. After developing a fever, she tested COVID positive. On disembarking she was transferred to isolation and then admitted to COVID ICU after desaturating.
Suzie uses her case study to explain:
- Indications for ventilation
- Nutritional assessment
- Estimated nutritional requirements and enteral feed regimen
- Electrolyte shifts as acidosis resolves
- D Dimer and C Reactive Protein scores
- Management of diarrhoea and fluid balance
- Use of the prone position to improve oxygenation
- Issues with oral diet after 15 days of ventilation
A review of the currently available nutrition guidelines for COVID-19: