As a carer, eating a balanced diet is essential to provide your body with all the nutrients it needs.
A balanced diet will keep your body strong and give you enough energy to provide the best care for the person you are caring for and yourself.
By understanding what a balanced diet looks like and how to fit it into your lifestyle, you can look after your own health and well-being.
- If you are concerned about your weight and would like support with your diet, contact your GP to see if your eligible for a referral, to your practice dietitian or one of the weight management programmes available.
Some of the effects of not eating a healthy balanced diet include:
- Reduced energy levels and strength
- Weak immune system
- Unplanned weight loss
- Weight gain
- Reduced brain function
- Malnutrition
- Cardiovascular diseases
So what does a balanced diet look like?
The Eatwell Guide shows that to have a healthy, balanced diet, people should try to:
- eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables
- every day
- base meals on higher fibre starchy foods
- have some dairy or dairy alternatives
- eat protein
- choose small amounts of unsaturated oils and spreads
- drink plenty of fluids (at least 6 to 8 glasses a day)
Two great sources for information are Carers UK “Eating Well For Carers” and the Gov.UK Eatwell Booklet – both are available to download below.