Healthy Eating: A Balancing Act

livingwell_by Lana McKenzieNutrition’s impact on health and functional capacity is profound. The ability to defend the body against disease, maintain anatomical and structural normality, think clearly, and possess the energy and desire to engage in social activity is determined by our nutritional status. Numerous age-related changes, often subtle and gradual, can progressively jeopardize the ability to sustain a good status.

Metabolic and nutritional responses after spinal-cord injury (SCI) indicate that calorie requirements decrease from the moment of injury and remain low throughout life. Since fewer calories will be ingested, they need to be higher quality to ensure an adequate intake of other nutrients.

Good nutritional habits include three regular meals and a well-balanced diet. An adequate diet includes recommended amounts of all major food groups:

  • Milk and milk products
  • Meat and alternates
  • Breads and cereals
  • Fruits and vegetables

The body requires proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. These food groups help build, repair, and maintain muscle, nerve, connective, and epithelial tissue.

Protein accounts for the tough fibrous nature of hair, nails, ligaments, and muscular structures. Carbohydrates supply readily available energy and roughage needed to regulate elimination of solid wastes.

 

Fat Chance!

Most people are afraid to eat food that contains fat! But the body needs a certain amount of healthy fat calories for a concentrated form of reserve energy, which is stored in the tissue and protects and insulates the body. Read more.

 

Budget-friendly Tips

When you’re on a tight budget, the thought of preparing tasty, healthy meals on a regular basis can seem daunting. It’s easy to get sucked in by grocery merchandising tricks, and it’s also normal for most of us to fall into a mealtime rut, eating the same foods over and over. But you’re in control of your kitchen! Read more.

 

Self-care Issues

Although often unrecognized, continuing malnutrition is not uncommon for people with SCI. Someone with paraplegia has little problem eating independently. But for a person with quadriplegia, the simple task of eating may be very complex. Read more.

Used with permission from PN Magazine

 

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