Individuals dealing with specific health conditions such as Diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, heart disease, high cholesterol must always focus on a balanced diet that helps to manage their health condition.
Heart Health
Focusing on a diet meal plans which is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins (fish, poultry, beans, lentils) and healthy fats (such as nuts, seeds, avocados and olive oil). Limitation on consumption of saturated and trans fat, sodium and sugar is beneficial for heart health. Include foods high in Omega-3, fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines, flax seeds and walnuts.
Diabetes Management
Incorporate foods with a low glycemic index to help manage your blood sugar levels. Emphasize high-fiber foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. monitor your carbohydrate intake and choose complex carbohydrates over simple sugars. Including lean protein and healthy ftas to your meal plan to maintain your blood sugar level at all times.
Digestive Disorder
Following a low FOD-map diet plan is beneficial for Irritable bowel syndrome, GERD, and bloating problems. Including a easy digestible foods like cooked vegetables, lean proteins and small amount of low FODmap fruits can aggravate digestive symptoms. Try avoiding foods such as onions, garlic, spicy foods, dairy products, high fat foods.
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Follow the DasH diet plan to mainatin your blood pressure. Focus on daily intake to fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low fat dairy products. Limit your sodium intake, avoid salty foods as much as you can. Include potassium rich foods such as banana, sweet potatoes, spinach, oranges, and do not forget to drink plenty of water through out the day as all these helps lower your blood pressure.
Osteoporosis prevention
Osteoporosis is a medical condition which weakens your bones making it more fragile and more susceptible for fractures. As a prevention include foods high in calcium and Vitamin D in your regular meal plan. Sources of calcium rich foods are dairy products, soy milk, leafy greens, tofu and almonds.. Get sunlight exposure to get Vitamin D, and supplements if prescribed by your doctor.
Celiac Disease (Gluten Intolerance)
Must avoid foods that contains gluten such as wheat, barley, rye also the products that contains hidden sources of gluten. Include natural gluten free foods in your diet like fruits, vegetables, proteins, dairy, grain that are gluten free like quinoa, rice and buckwheat as they are certified gluten free products.
Kidney Disease
Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is the best thing for your kidney health. Limit consumption of phosphorus and potassium intake by choosing kidney friendly foods. Choose high quality protein sources such as poultry, fish, eggs controlling intake of red meat. Monitor your food portion sizes and limit intake of dairy products, nuts and whole grains.
Food Allergies
Always avoid allergens by carefully reading food labels and ingredients used. Choose allergen-free products, substitute allergenic ingredients with safe alternatives in your recipes. If you are dining out do communicate with to restaurant staff about your food allergies which can prevent you from cross contamination.
Weight Management
Controlling your portion size, having a balanced meal and mindful eating habits are key to weight management. Consume plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains while limiting sugar, refined carbohydrates, high calorie, low nutrient foods (fast foods, chips or sweets). Stay hydrated and engage in regular physical activities to support weight loss and gaining more weight.
Cancer Prevention and Recovery
Always emphasize a plant based diet rich in fruits, veggies, whole grains and legumes as they provide essential nutrients and antioxidants. Try to avoid or consume at very low quantity of processed meats, sugary drinks, high saturated fats foods and added sugar. Drink plenty of water stay hydrated at all times maintain healthy weight through balanced eating and more physical activities to reduce risk of cancer and support recovery.
