Using Nutrition
We have devoted this web page ranging from proper nutrition to dealing with swallowing difficulties to resources on line for you about healthy eating. We undertand that a healthy diet is one of the most important ways you can maintain a livable lifestyle and protect against additional health problems that can come along with dystonia including contractures, fixed postures, swallowing difficulties, eating disorders, weight loss, and arthritic type effects. Healthy eating increases energy, improves the way your body functions, strengthens your immune system and minimizes weight gain. A healthy diet helps you:
- Meet your nutritional needs. A varied, balanced diet provides the nutrients you need to avoid nutritional deficiencies. Non-nutrients, such as fiber, are also necessary to a healthy diet.
- Prevent and treat certain diseases. Healthful eating can prevent the risk of developing certain diseases such as cancer and heart disease. It is also helpful in treating diabetes and high blood pressure. Following a special diet can reduce symptoms, and may help you better manage an illness or condition.
- Enjoy life. Food is the mainstay of many social and cultural events. Not only does it provide nutrition, it helps facilitate connections between people. Cooking fresh, healthy meals can also be an enjoyable way to spend time, either on your own or with others.
- Feel energetic and manage your weight. A healthy diet can help you feel better, provide you with more energy, and help you fight stress.
What are the new USDA Dietary Guidelines and Food Pyramids?
- The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005 is an 84-page PDF document which covers different aspects food groups and food safety.
- Finding Your Way to a Healthier You is a colorful 12-page reader-friendly PDF booklet designed to help the average American select a balanced and healthy diet.
- USDA Food Pyramid at My Pyramid is an interactive resource to help you determine the daily servings of grains, vegetables, fruits, milk, and meat & beans based on your age, gender, and level of physical activity. For instance, a moderately-active 40-year-old female should average: * Grains: 6 oz
* Vegetables: 2.5 cups* Fruits: 2 cups* Milk: 3 cups* Meat & Beans: 5.5 ozThe guide includes tips for selecting foods within that group, snack suggestions, and what to look for on food labels.
Additional Resources…
Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating
Australian Guide to Healthy Eating
Healing Foods Pyramid: Emphasizes foods known to have healing benefits or essential nutrients; plant-based choices; balance and variety of color, nutrients, and portion size; support of a healthful environment; and mindful eating.
Dealing with Swallowing Difficulties: Those dealing with dystonia may have a common condition known as Dysphagia. It occurs when your throat cannot control the muscles and therefore you are unable to properly swallow foods and liquids.Dysphagia can occur after being injected with botulinum toxin, usually resolving in several days. While healthy persons can easily swallow foods and liquids, dysphagia can cause aspiration pneumonia by getting food or liquids into the lungs. This is a serious condition and anyone with dysphagia must be closely monitored especially during mealtimes when chocking can occur. You should avoid the following:
*Eating small pieces of food
*Eating hard to chew foods (like nuts and raw vegetables)
*Eating foods that break apart
*Eating dry meats
*Eating plain rice
*Eating bread
*Talking during meals
Things that you should do:
* Consult your physician and a speech pathologist to learn exercise techniques that can strengthen your swallowing muscles and proper posture
*Moisten your food with butter, gravy or sauce
*Take small bites of your food
*Take small sips of liquids
*Modifying the consistency of your foods and liquids to will allow for safer swallowing.
*Sit Upright - at least at a 45 degree angle- use pillows if necessary to prevent the risk of aspiration and potential pneumonia , which can be difficult to treat, often requiring in-patient hospitalization.
*Use proper drinking utensils sich as Lil-a -Mug
Since sometimes dystonia makes it very difficult to eat solid foods, it is more important to remain hydrated and nourished. You will most likely need to blenderize your solid foods to a smooth consistency. Adding a product like Resource ThickenUp or Thick. It adds shape and body to pureed foods. Resource ThickenUp also comes in convenient pre-thickened beverages providing a consistent pre-measured thickness, and quality assurance comes from a state of the art manufacturing process. Resource ThickenUp(http://www.cwimedical.com/thickened.html) maintains the taste and flavor of foods and liquids without the starchy taste. It mixes easily into foods and beverages to quickly reach the consistency prescribed by your healthcare professional allowing you to swallow foods much more easily. Source : (http://www.disabled-world.com) . A popular nutritional supplement is the drink, Ensure. Visit the site (http://ensure.com) for more information about this supplement.
Additional Food Thickeners on the market :
- Thick N Easy and Nutra by Hormel Health Labs
- http://www.dysphagia-diet.com/t&e_thickener.htm
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New, taste-free, gel-formula Hydra~Aid mixes easily in beverages and is ready to serve within seconds. Simply shake or stir to thicken both hot and cold beverages.
Maintaining Your Weight : The secondary effects of dystonia- constant motion and swallowing difficulties ( depending on the type of dystonia you have ) can lead to a great expenditure of energy. Dystonia is tiring. Weight loss is a complex issue, and involves emotional and mental components along with physical ones. In addition, your age and general health play important roles in what and how you should eat in order to lose weight. For more information, see Helpguide Healthy Weight Loss: Guide to the Popular Plans and Tips for Managing Your Weight.
Read Tom’s story here : http://deflame.com
For Women :
- Osteoporosis: Diets for Control, Prevention and Healing (http://www.helpguide.org/life/healthy_diet_osteoporosis.htm)
- Good Nutrition for Women: Guide to Lifelong Healthy Eating(http://www.helpguide.org/life/healthy_eating_women_nutrition.htm)
A nutrition expert can help you develop a personal action plan for improving your eating habits while keeping the fun in food. A registered dietitian (R.D.) is an authority on food, nutrition and health. She/he can provide valuable information and advice. To locate a registered dietitian in your area, ask your physician, or call the consumer nutrition hot line (800/366-1655) of the National Center for Nutrition and Dietetics, the public education center of The American Dietetic Association.
Visit www.eatright.org to learn more about healthy eating.
Calculate Your BMI : Understanding Your BMI
BMI stands for Body Mass Index. It is a calculation based on a person’s height and weight. The result indicates whether a person is underweight, normal, overweight or obese. Determine your BMI via (http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi). An abnormal BMI is > 25 or less than 20 depending on your height and weight.
Herbal Supplements : Comprehensive Resources and Links about herbs can be found in our Feb 2008 Newsletter.
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