Nutrition for Special Populations
Diabetes and Healthy Eating
To help manage diabetes, the most important thing is to choose the right foods in the right amounts. It is important to learn how to plan meals and snacks. Some basic guidelines to follow are:
- Do not skip meals. Eat when you are hungry, and stop when you are satisfied.
- Eat meals and snacks at regular times every day, which is 3 balanced meals a day, plus snacks. Remember to spread meals out over the day.
- Eat a variety of foods and add lots of color to meals with fresh fruits and vegetable
- Make sure you get enough fiber every day.
- Watch potion sizes.
- Slow down and enjoy the flavor of each bite of food.
- There are many ways to help with planning healthy meals.
You can also call CCS Medical’s diabetes educators and browse through out diabetes recipes to help control your nutrition.
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Diet After An Ostomy
Follow a special diet after the placement of an ostomy because this will avoid unpleasant odor, gas, and blockage. This diet needs to be followed for at least 6-8 weeks. Slowly add one new food at a time to avoid stomach problems. Some of the foods that produce odors are cabbage, garlic, and peanut butter. Samples of the gaseous foods are beans, melon, and milk. For a complete listing, click here to refer to the CCS Medical Ostomy Food Reference Chart.
You should also drink 8-10 cups of liquid per day to prevent blockage. Control odors with carbon filters and foods that reduce odor. Chew your food well. People with an ostomy should be able to return to a normal diet. Contact CCS Medical or your doctor for further information.
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Wound Care Patients
In order to heal after a major surgical wound, the body needs more calories and protein. Ask your healthcare team if you need added vitamins and minerals. It is important to eat a variety of foods.
Wound Care Suggested Serving Sizes
Eat at least 2-3 servings of protein per day:
- 1 serving equals 2-3 ounces of meat
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 cup cooked beans or peas.
Add at least 1 serving of:
- orange or yellow vegetables
- dark green, leafy vegetables
Include at least 1 serving of a high Vitamin C food:
- oranges
- grapefruit
- strawberries
- tomatoes
- broccoli
- cabbage
There are a few tips to boost the nutrients you need to heal. Increase the protein your get in milk by adding 1-cup fat-free powdered milk to a quart of milk, and by drinking 2-3 milk servings per day. Get more protein by adding powdered milk into soups, casseroles and mashed potatoes. Use peanut butter on bread, crackers or French toast. You can also add extra chopped meat or shredded cheese to vegetables, soups or sauces. To increase calories, add margarine or sour cream to foods when possible. Use pudding or ice cream as snacks.
Good nutrition is vital to help heal any wound. Ask your doctor to refer you to a registered dietitian.
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