General Care | FAQs

Q |​ What should I know about COVID-19?

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The COVID-19 pandemic was devastating for people across the globe, affecting the health of trans people, older adults, and people of color in particular. During the pandemic, Black, Latina/o/e, and Indigenous people were hospitalized and died at higher rates than White people, likely due to barriers to care and misinformation [2]. Over 80% of deaths from COVID-19 have been among older adults aged 65 and older [1]. Even though the most intense period of the pandemic has passed, about 1 in 10 transgender and nonbinary people are estimated to be experiencing long COVID, a condition in which symptoms persist after the infection has resolved [3].

Keep these tips in mind to avoid getting COVID-19 and to get the appropriate care if you do:

• COVID Prevention. All adults, especially older adults, should consider getting vaccinated to prevent COVID-19 infection.
   

• COVID Care. Plan for where you can go to get medical help and COVID testing right away if you develop symptoms.
   

• Long COVID. For trans and gender-expansive adults, research supports continuing gender-affirming care, like hormone therapy, during treatment for long COVID [3].

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[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “People with Certain Medical Conditions and COVID-19 Risk Factors.” Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/covid/risk-factors/index.html

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[2] Tai DBG, Sia IG, Doubeni CA, Wieland ML. Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 on Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups in the United States: a 2021 Update. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2022;9(6):2334-2339. doi:10.1007/s40615-021-01170-w

[3] Wirtz, A.L., Reisner, S.L., Cole, S.W. et al. Long COVID in transgender and gender nonbinary people in the United States. Sci Rep 15, 383 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84519-5

Q |​ What do I need to know about nutrition as a trans person?

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Good nutrition is important for people of all ages and gender identities, and especially for older adults, people experiencing an illness, and people undergoing a major body change like transitioning. Even though research on nutrition for trans and gender-expansive people is limited, some dietary guidelines are useful for taking care of your nutritional needs:

Nutrition and Gender. Your nutritional needs may not align with your gender identity. For example, nutritional needs, like caloric intake, nutrient needs, etc., of a trans man who is not on hormone therapy may align more closely with his sex assigned at birth. However, because factors affecting nutritional needs are unique to each individual, it would be important to consult with a registered dietician or healthcare provider with nutrition counseling experience before making any major changes to your diet. This is particularly true if, as part of your transition, you are hoping or even actively planning, to gain or lose a significant amount of weight.

Nutrition and Surgery. If you are going to have a major surgery, from gender-affirming top or bottom surgery to a hip replacement, good nutrition is important for a good recovery. This is because surgical wounds and tissue damage depend on protein and other nutrients to heal properly. Talking with your doctor and/or dietician before a surgery about your nutritional needs may help your recovery process.

Example. Before going in for joint abdominal surgery and gender-affirming hysterectomy, a 35-year-old nonbinary person talked to a dietician, who recommended increasing their protein intake in the weeks leading up to the procedure and several weeks afterward. This likely helped them have a smooth recovery period.

Nutrition and HRT. Evidence points to an increased chance of weight gain when starting hormone therapy. Depending on your body’s needs, this may or may not be a problem. If you are experiencing weight gain, consider talking with a registered dietician who is inclusive of different body sizes and has specific training in gender transition who can help you decide what’s best for your wellbeing.

Nutrition and Chronic Illness. Trans and gender-expansive people and people in the BIPOC community may be more likely to have chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease due to long-term exposure to stigma and lack of access to care, among other factors. Sometimes learning about and paying attention to changes in diet and exercise can help manage these conditions. Talk to a registered dietician or healthcare provider with experience in nutrition about dietary changes that may help manage the chronic condition(s) you have.

Nutrition and Eating Disorders. Trans and gender-expansive people are also more likely to develop eating disorders. An eating disorder is a complex and serious illness leading to severe disturbances in a person's eating behaviors, such as restricting food, binge-eating, or purging. Although it is not yet well-understood, the increased risk for eating disorders among trans and gender-expansive people may stem from the complex relationship between body image, gender identity, and co-occurring illnesses like depression or anxiety. For more information and resources on eating disorders, please see the Sources & Resources tab below.

Finding the right nutrition plan to support your health can be complicated, so if you are unsure, consult with a registered dietician or a healthcare provider with nutrition experience if possible. Check your insurance plan because dietician visits may be covered. Joining a free support group may also be helpful.

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Nutrition and Cooking. For cooking and meal prep ideas focused on the trans community, check out the Cooking with Trans People of Colour→ digital cookbook and stay tuned for Black Trans Men Can Cook→, coming soon.

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Rahman R, Linsenmeyer WR. Caring for Transgender Patients and Clients: Nutrition-Related Clinical and Psychosocial Considerations. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2019;119(5):727-732. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2018.03.006