NUTRITION
COVID-19 Tennis Sport Nutrition and Match Food Update BY PAGE LOVE, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD, USPTA
I
f you caught our last issue, I shared some beginning nutrition tips to combat COVID virus infection. As we learn more, we thought it would be important to update you on some food-related recommendations as you are returning to play. As many of you know, the regular host team food hors d‘oeuvre table is not recommended, but the following CDC guidelines may be helpful for you, read more at cdc.gov, and at the American College of Cardiology’s site, acc.org. Below is a summary of key health expert recommendations from above sources related to eating at tennis matches: wipes with you, or if you are a team captain, you may want to bring these for the team table. • Use disposable food service items, including plastic utensils and dishes.
• There is no evidence that COVID-19 is spread by food. However, players sharing utensils and congregating around food and beverage areas can pose a risk.
• Avoid offering any self-serve food or drink options, such as buffets, salad bars, and drink stations. Consider having prepackaged boxes or bags for each player.
• If you plan to have any food available, consider having single serve grab-and-go options. • Always wash your hands before eating, especially if eating finger foods. Carry hand sanitizer or antimicrobial hand 58
NETNEWS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020
• Bring your own towels and water bottles, as well as sport beverages for your matches. • Do not share food, beverages or towels. • Avoid communal faucets, water fountains, coolers and serving yourself ice from a group cooler.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as team tables. • Provide physical guides, such as tape on floors or sidewalks and signs on walls, to ensure that individuals remain at least 6 feet apart when waiting in line to order or pick up.
• Wash hands before taking food from a general serving area, as well as before you eat.
• Avoid areas with high traffic or exposure to sweat.
• Discourage people from sharing items that are difficult to clean, sanitize, or disinfect, such as a serving spoons. • Limit any sharing of food; it is no longer recommended to bring large sharing dishes such as dips, fruit salad, casseroles, and chili.
• Frequently clean your counters and surfaces with commercial cleaning products. You can also make your own disinfecting solution by combining 5 Tbsp. of bleach or 1/3 cup liquid bleach with 1 gallon of water. After applying, let cleaning agents sit for 1 minute before wiping off. Make sure to rinse surfaces with water before putting food products on that. Team captains could wipe off surfaces such as picnic tables and court benches.
