Charlotte Foust: Caregivers must take care of their diet too – Joplin Globe
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Are you a family caregiver? You may not think of yourself that way, but if you spend time tending to the needs or concerns of a person with an ongoing illness, injury or disability, you are considered a caregiver.
Approximately 85% of people with dementia and chronic illness are cared for exclusively in their own homes. On average, their loved ones provide 12 hours of assistance a day. That can be difficult to juggle with work and other responsibilities, and it often takes an economic and physical toll. As a result, caregivers often report significant stress, depression, anxiety and fatigue.
Caregiving also can take its toll on caregiver nutrition. Limited time to cook or shop may result in reaching for sweets or picking up fast food, which don’t need a lot of preparation or advance planning. Nutrients that can fall short include protein and fluids, as well as fiber, vitamins and minerals from fruits and vegetables that may not be present in convenience items.
That leaves the caregiver at risk of malnutrition, and, in turn, more susceptible to the physical effects of stress. The good news is that eating a healthy diet can reduce the negative effects of stress. So, while caregivers are often rightfully focused on making sure they provide healthy meals for those they care for, it is very important for caregivers to keep their own nutrition and hydration at the top of their priority list.
How can you do this to your full list of items on your to-do list? A good way to start a new habit is to take the first few steps first. Begin with drinking beverages at each meal and two to three times between meals. Examples of healthy drinks include water, milk, juice (for those fruits or vegetables you may be missing), or unsweetened drinks. Next, focus on protein, a key nutrient that builds strength and provides important minerals.
Ways you can add protein to your day include:
• At meals, eat your protein first.
• Snack on cheese.
• Replace cereal with eggs.
• Top your food with chopped almonds.
• Choose Greek yogurt.
• Have a protein shake.
• Eat low- or no-fat dairy products.
• Include a high-protein food like fish, chicken, beef, eggs with every meal.
• Pair peanut butter or yogurt with fruit.
• Try a variety of plant proteins like nuts, peanut butter, beans and tofu.
• Drink a liquid supplement like Ensure or Glucerna.
To find more ideas for high-protein foods, increasing fluids and other ways to prevent malnutrition, review the National Institute on Aging resource at eatright.org, consult your health care provider, contact a dietitian, or go to reliable websites like the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at myplate.gov and the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Council on Aging at ncoa.org.
This message is part of ACL’s focus on malnutrition. To find out more about these topics, go to the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition at nutritioncare.org or to defeatmalnutrition.today.
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