Balancing the demands of looking after your tribe can often resemble a rollercoaster ride. Navigating school runs, tackling laundry mountains, and masterfully negotiating bedtime – the challenges are endless.
As mothers, we’re ideally placed to initiate healthier habits that can positively influence not just our children’s present, but their future as well. This blog post aims to illuminate some of the most frequently asked questions about nutrition’s role in managing health conditions. So grab a cup of tea, find your quiet corner (we all have one), and let’s unlock the power of nutrition together!
You may wonder, how can nutrition help manage health conditions? Health condition management can feel like an extra full-time job, with numerous appointments, medications, and endless research. Amidst all this, we often overlook a powerful tool we possess – nutrition.
Managing Various Health Conditions Through Diet
Plant-based Diets
You’re probably wondering how plant based diets can assist in managing obesity? A plant-based diet focuses more fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds, and less processed food. This doesn’t necessarily mean going vegetarian or vegan (unless you choose to), but by incorporating a few plant-based meals a week can make a difference.
Plant-based foods are typically low in unhealthy fats and kilojoules, yet high in fibre, vitamins, and minerals. This helps keep you feeling satiated, without the extra snacking which leads to weight gain. High-fibre foods may also take longer to digest, thus reducing the urge for a post-dinner snack.
The benefits extend beyond weight management. Plant based diets are also known to help lower the risks of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and more. A plant based diet may also help your family’s long term health.
Gut Health
Our gut hosts an entire ecosystem of beneficial bacteria that aid digestion, fight off harmful bacteria, and even influence our mood. What we choose to consume can affect the balance of bacteria in our gut.
If you consume a lot of processed foods or sugars in your diet, this can disrupt the balance of your gut. In turn, this can negatively affect your digestive issues and immune system.
Opting for a diet that is high in whole grains, fruits and vegetables can help maintain this balance.
Consider incorporating whole grain pasta for dinner, indulge in a colourful salad or slurp on a hearty lentil soup! These can all aid in improving our gut bacteria. Let’s maintain our gut health with nutrition-packed, fibre-rich foods!
Ketogenic Diet
Also known as a keto diet, it’s renowned for its ability to help people lose weight. What many might not know is that a keto diet can also help manage epilepsy, especially in children unresponsive to standard medications.
A keto diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet. Typically our brains use glucose from carbohydrates as the main energy source. However, when we follow a keto diet, our bodies change to using fat for energy – this is called ketosis (hence ‘ketogenic’ diet).
Before you start, remember that the keto diet requires careful monitoring by a healthcare professional. It’s not suitable for everyone. But, it illustrates how our food choices can significantly impact our health.
Low Protein Diet
Metabolic conditions like Phenylketonuria (PKU) are genetic conditions that affect the body’s ability to metabolise an amino acid called phenylalanine.
Without proper breakdown, phenylalanine can accumulate in the bloodstream, causing health problems, including intellectual disabilities. Phenylalanine is found in protein-rich foods like meat, eggs, and dairy products – staples in many of our kitchens!
A low protein diet comes into play here, as you nourish your body with low protein food options. By limiting foods high in phenylalanine, we can manage the levels in the bloodstream and prevent complications. Low protein versions of many common foods are available, often supplemented with special amino acid mixtures to ensure our loved ones still get adequate protein.
Remember, managing a condition like PKU requires medical guidance. Always consult your doctor or dietitian before starting a new diet. It’s remarkable to think about nutrition’s power, though. The food we serve can significantly affect our family’s health.
Mediterranean diet
Often referred to as heart-healthy. This is due to the presence of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and olive oil. It has lean proteins like fish and chicken, and even allows for moderate amounts of dairy and red wine. These foods are filled with good fats, fibre, antioxidants, and plant compounds that are great for the heart.
Key to the diet is olive oil, which has healthy fats that help manage cholesterol levels. Also, the diet is low in unhealthy fats that can block arteries.
Apart from the food, the Mediterranean diet encourages eating meals with loved ones, staying active, and enjoying healthy food. So, it’s about leading a balanced lifestyle.
By following this diet, you’re not only preparing tasty meals but also taking care of your family’s heart health. It’s not about making big changes all at once, but making small, lasting changes can have a significant impact over time.
Gluten-free diet
A gluten-free diet is not as daunting as it might sound! Gluten is a type of protein found in grains like wheat, barley, or rye. For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten may cause an upset stomach or other serious health issues.
Now, let’s imagine gluten as that uninvited party guest. Gluten is often found in daily foods like bread, cereal, pasta and beer. Thankfully, there are a range of different gluten-free choices available on the market today.
Embrace gluten-free foods, which are also real superheroes for our health. Some examples of this are meat, fish, dairy, fruit and vegetables and more.
Let’s focus on keeping our family meals balanced and fuelling our loved ones with fresh and whole foods, just as we would with any healthy diet.
Before consuming a gluren-free lifestyle, it is highly recommended to consult your family doctor or a dietitian. A healthcare professional can provide you and your family with the right tips and advice to ensure no one is missing out on essential nutrients.
In conclusion, nutrition can be our secret weapon in managing health conditions. From the power of plant-based diets to the benefits of Mediterranean eating, what we serve can do more than just satisfy hunger.
It’s about finding what best suits our family’s unique needs and making healthy swaps where possible. We have the opportunity to make healthful choices for our loved ones, choices that can significantly contribute to managing health conditions and promoting overall well-being. So let’s continue to embrace this journey, keep learning, keep making smart swaps, and continue unlocking the power of nutrition.
