Table 3

Dietary intake of healthcare workers stratified by self-report of following plant-based diet or pescatarian diet among COVID-19 cases (n=568)*

Followed plant-based diet or pescatarian diet (n=46)Did not follow plant-based or pescatarian diet (n=522)P value
Dietary intake, times/week (mean, SD)
Total fruits9.9 (6.4)8.5 (6.5)0.15
Total vegetables 14.4 (8.4) 10.4 (7.1) <0.001
Potatoes2.2 (1.9)2.1 (1.7)0.89
Legumes 3.7 (2.8) 1.9 (1.6) <0.001
Nuts 3.6 (2.5) 2.3 (2.9) 0.004
Refined grains7.5 (6.1)8.6 (5.2)0.17
Dark or whole grain breads2.7 (2.4)2.2 (2.5)0.21
Sweets and desserts6.7 (9.3)6.7 (6.5)0.96
Eggs2.2 (2.1)2.3 (1.9)0.80
Dairy13.4 (9.0)13.3 (7.9)0.90
Poultry 1.3 (1.6) 2.3 (1.6) <0.001
Red and processed meats 1.7 (3.3) 3.8 (2.8) <0.001
Fish and seafood3.0 (3.9)3.1 (2.5)0.86
Soups1.5 (1.7)1.4 (1.4)0.73
Croquettes, dumplings, pizza0.9 (1.4)1.0 (1.0)0.62
Sugar-sweetened beverages1.5 (2.6)2.5 (3.4)0.06
Fruit juices0.5 (1.3)1.0 (1.9)0.12
Vegetable oil3.5 (3.2)3.8 (3.3)0.59
Butter1.6 (2.1)1.9 (2.3)0.35
Alcohol2.6 (4.1)3.7 (4.3)0.09
Coffee6.2 (5.1)7.7 (6.8)0.12
Tea2.2 (2.7)2.1 (3.6)0.92
  • Bold font denotes statistically significant associations.

  • *Cases are defined as individuals with self-reported COVID-19 like illness (fever, coughing, fatigue, loss of taste or smell) or a positive PCR or antibody test. P value comparing those following a plant-based or pescatarian diet versus those not following a plant-based or pescatarian diet among cases. Details on these food groups are presented in online supplemental table 1.