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Keep Your Bucket Full

Unfortunately, you cannot “boost” your immune system through diet, and no specific food or supplement will prevent you catching COVID-19.

Although many nutrients are involved in normal immune functioning, athletes need to think of the bigger picture. Maintaining a balanced diet is necessary to support immune function but the diet is only one piece of the immune puzzle.  Think hygiene, the importance of carbs to meet overall energy needs and to support training plus getting plenty of quality sleep.

HYGIENE

Good hand hygiene practice and social distancing remains the best means of avoiding infection.

SLEEP

Athletes who sleep for 7+ hrs are 4.5 times less likely to contract a cold than those who sleep for less than 5 hrs.

CARBOHYDRATES

Eating enough is essenital, especially on intense training days to support training demands and overall energy needs.

PROBIOTICS

Populating the gut with good bacteria means there is less room for bad bacteria. Gut friendly bacteria may reduce illness incidence when travelling or help manage common GI issues. Probiotics are found in several foods, particularly dairy products such as milk and yogurt.

REMEMBER

There is no magic nutrient,  so keep your bucket full!