|
[ What is Alzheimer's | Exercises
for Alzheimer's | Nutrition for Alzheimer's | Additional
Information ]
Nutrition for Alzheimer's
From "Cleveland
Clinic Health System",
for more details, please visit the website.
While no special diet is required for people with Alzheimer's
disease -- unless they have another condition, such as diabetes,
that requires diet monitoring -- eating a well-balanced, nutritious
diet is extremely beneficial. With the proper diet, your body will
work more efficiently, you'll have more energy and your medications
will work properly. This article addresses the basics of good nutrition. Please
consult your physician before making any dietary changes.
The Basics
- Eat a variety of foods from each food category
- Maintain your weight through a proper balance of exercise and
food.
- Choose foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol
- Try to limit sugars
- Moderate your use of salt
- Drink 8-8 oz. glasses of water per day.
- You may drink alcoholic beverages in moderation (consult your
physician)
Medications
Ask your doctor about possible food interactions with the
medicines you may be taking.
Preventing constipation
- Eat foods high in fiber. Good sources of fiber are fruits, vegetables
and whole grains. Fiber and water help the colon pass stool. Most
of the fiber in fruits is found in the skins. Fruits with seeds you
can eat, like strawberries, have the most fiber.
- Eat bran cereal or add bran cereal to other foods, like soup and
yogurt. Bran is a great source of fiber.
- Drink 8-8oz cups of water and other fluids a day.
- Exercise
- Move your bowels when you feel the urge
Tips to relieve constipation
- Drink two to four extra glasses of water a day.
- Add fruits and vegetables to your diet.
- Eat prunes and/or bran cereal.
- If needed, use a very mild stool softener or laxative. Do not
use mineral oil or any other laxatives for more than two weeks without
calling your health care provider.
Dining environment
- Minimize distractions in the area where you eat.
- Stay focused on the tasks of eating and drinking.
- Do not talk with food in your mouth.
Amount and rate
- Eat slowly.
- Cut your food into small pieces and chew it thoroughly.
- Do not try to eat more than 1/2 teaspoon of your food at a time.
Thirst/dry mouth
Often thirst diminishes with age. In addition, some medicines
may dehydrate the body.
- Drink 8 or more cups of liquid each day, 10 or more cups if you
are feverish.
- Dunk or moisten breads, toast, cookies, or crackers in milk, hot
chocolate, or coffee to soften them.
- Take a drink after each bite of food to moisten your mouth and
to help you swallow.
- Add sauces to foods to make them softer and moister. Try gravy,
broth, sauce, or melted butter.
- Eat sour candy or fruit ice to help increase saliva and moisten
your mouth.
- Don't use a commercial mouthwash. Commercial mouthwashes
often contain alcohol that can dry your mouth. Ask your doctor or
dentist about alternative mouthwash products.
- Ask your doctor about artificial saliva products. These products
are available by prescription.
Maintaining your weight
Malnutrition and weight maintenance is often an issue for
those with Alzheimer's disease.
- Eat smaller meals more frequently. Eating five to six times a
day may be more easily tolerated than eating the same amount of food
in three meals.
- Take a daily vitamin/mineral supplement
- Liquid diet supplements may be helpful
[ back to top ]
|
