15 Oct 2018
A Guide to health Eating
Healthy eating is vital for a healthy mind and body. At Magic Life, we try and promote a balanced diet and encourage our residents to cook their own food and to take responsibility for what they eat . This is easier said than done and a lot of people who come to Magic Life struggle in this area. Our care assistants/manager work had to encourage residents to eat well.
A great example of this is at Bruce Grove Villas in Tottenham. Paulette and her staff have been working hard with Cheryl and Hasan. When Cheryl came to Bruce Grove, The only thing she would eat was admirals fish pie which she cooked in the microwave. With help from the staff, they showed her and help her to prepare and cook meals. Now she enjoys a healthy balanced meal a everyday. Just like Cheryl, Hasan would only eat sandwiches. With help from the staff, he now enjoys cooking for himself. and makes a mean pasta bake.
Improving your diet may help to:
- improve your mood
- give you more energy
- help you think more clearly.
Eating regularly:
- Eating breakfast gets the day off to a good start.
- Instead of eating a large lunch and dinner, try eating smaller portions spaced out more regularly throughout the day.
- Avoid foods which make your blood sugar rise and fall rapidly, such as sweets, biscuits, sugary drinks, and alcohol.
Staying hydrated:
- It’s recommended that you drink between 6-8 glasses of fluid a day.
- Water is a cheap and healthy option.
- Tea, coffee, juices and smoothies all count towards your intake (but be aware that these may also contain caffeine or sugar).
Looking after your gut:
- It might take your gut time to get used to a new eating pattern, so make changes slowly to give yourself time to adjust.
- If you’re feeling stressed and you think it is affecting your gut, try some relaxation techniques or breathing exercises.
Managing caffeine:
- If you drink tea, coffee or cola, try switching to decaffeinated versions.
- You might feel noticeably better quite quickly if you drink less caffeine or avoid it altogether.
Getting your 5 a day:
- Fresh, frozen, tinned, dried and juiced (one glass) fruits and vegetables all count towards your 5 a day.
- As a general rule, one portion is about a handful, a small bowl or a small glass.
- For ideas on how to get your 5 a day, visit NHS Choices.
Getting enough protein:
- Whatever your diet, why not do some research into other foods that contain protein, and find something new to try? For ideas on healthy recipes, visit NHS Choices.
Eating the right fats:
- Try to avoid anything which lists ‘trans fats’ or ‘partially hydrogenated oils’ in the list of ingredients (such as some shop-bought cakes and biscuits). They can be tempting when you’re feeling low, but this kind of fat isn’t good for your mood or your physical health in the long run.