This page covers:
– Eating right
– Calories and BMI
– Fruits and Vegetables
– Carbohydrates
– Milk and dairy products
– Dietary Fats
– Vitamin D and Bone Health
– Malnutrition and food fortification

Eating right

Eating right is key for everyone’s health, and that goes for adults with cerebral palsy too. A good diet doesn’t just make your body stronger; it can also help prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some types of cancer. Alongside a diet full of nutrients, remember to drink lots of water every day. Water can make you feel less hungry, and it also helps your body get rid of things it doesn’t need.

When you’re planning a good diet, there are a few basic rules to keep in mind. You want to eat lots of fruits and vegetables, foods high in fibre, different types of protein, some dairy, and go for the healthier types of fats. It’s just as important to cut down on foods and drinks high in fat, sugar, or salt.

For adults with cerebral palsy looking to stick to a healthy diet, there are a few more things that can help. It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about what diet is best for you to make sure you’re getting enough food and all the right nutrients. You should also try to eat foods that are easy for you to chew and swallow. If eating presents a challenge, consider the use of adaptive utensils or equipment. Try to make eating meals a fun and social time too.

By following these tips, you’ll get all the nutrients your body needs to stay in good shape and keep you feeling strong.

Calories and BMI

Calories and Body Mass Index, or BMI, are two concepts that are key to understanding our health. Calories are the energy we get from what we eat and drink. The number of calories we need can change based on our age, gender, height, weight, how active we are, and any health conditions we have. Generally, women need about 2,000 calories a day, and men need about 2,500.

BMI is a way to measure how much body fat we have using our height and weight. While it’s not a perfect way to measure health, it can be useful for tracking our weight over time and spotting potential health problems. A healthy BMI is usually between 18.5 and 24.9. If your BMI is between 25 and 29.9, you’re considered overweight, and a BMI of 30 or more means you’re considered obese.

For adults with CP, keeping an eye on your weight is especially important if you aren’t so physically active.

This is because cerebral palsy can make physical activity harder, which could lead to weight gain. Some medicines used to treat cerebral palsy can also cause weight gain.

If you’re an adult with cerebral palsy, it’s important to talk to your doctor about your calorie needs and BMI. They can help you make a plan to stay at a healthy weight. Here are some ways to do that:

• Eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Try to limit processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats.
• Try to stay physically active.
• Talk to your doctor about any medicines that might be causing weight gain.

By doing these things, you can stay at a healthy weight and be healthier overall.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are a big part of eating healthily, and that’s true for everyone, including adults with cerebral palsy. They’re packed full of vitamins, minerals, and fibre, which all help to keep us healthy.

Why are fruits and vegetables so good for adults with cerebral palsy? They can help improve digestion, which is really useful for those who may find swallowing or chewing tough. They can also help you stay at a healthy weight. Fruits and vegetables can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases. This includes heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer.

We’re all told to try and eat five portions of fruit and vegetables each day. But what counts as a portion? It’s 80 grams of fresh, frozen, or canned fruit, 30 grams of dried fruit, or 150ml of unsweetened 100% fruit or vegetable juice or smoothie.

If you’re an adult with cerebral palsy and you’re looking to eat more fruits and vegetables, here are some tips:

• Choose fruits and vegetables that are easy to eat. You could go for soft fruits like bananas or vegetables that can be chopped up small or made into a puree.
• Make fruits and vegetables the main part of your meals. You could have a vegetable stir-fry for dinner or a fruit salad for dessert.
• Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables are usually cheaper and they last longer.
• Try grating carrots or courgette into your meals for some extra flavour and texture.
• Put some fruit on your cereal in the morning.
• Try to eat lots of different colours of fruits and vegetables. This will give you a wide range of vitamins and minerals.

Carbohydrates

Starchy foods are important in a cerebral palsy diet, offering energy, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Whole grain options are the healthiest, being fibre and nutrient-rich compared to refined alternatives.

Starchy foods are particularly important for those with CP due to their slow-release energy, as CP requires up to six times more energy for movement.  Additionally, the fibre in starchy foods aids gut health, preventing constipation, a common problem in the CP community. It also contributes to lower cholesterol and blood sugar regulation.

Starchy foods are packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins, folate, iron, and magnesium, necessary for energy production, blood cell formation, and muscle function.

People with CP can incorporate more starchy foods in their diets by choosing whole grains and using healthy cooking methods like steaming, boiling, or roasting. Making these foods easy to eat by cutting them into small pieces or pureeing them is also essential. If whole grains aren’t preferred, mixing them with pasta or bread can help, and trying different food preparations can add variety.

For easy consumption, select soft foods, cut them into small pieces or puree them, and add them to smoothies, yogurt, or oatmeal for extra nutrients. Cooking starchy vegetables by roasting, grilling, or steaming helps their chewability, and serving them with dips or sauces can make them more enjoyable.

Milk and dairy products

Milk and dairy products, rich in protein, calcium, and other nutrients, play a crucial role in a healthy diet for adults with CP. The protein aids tissue growth and repair. Each glass of milk provides roughly 8 grams of protein. Calcium, critical for strong bones and teeth, mitigates the osteoporosis risk in adults with CP, with each glass of milk supplying around 300 milligrams. Milk and dairy products also offer essential nutrients like vitamin D, phosphorus, and potassium for bone health, muscle function, and immunity.

Milk and dairy products include milk, cheese, yogurt, canned fish, and eggs. The suggested daily intake for adults with CP is 2-3 servings, a serving being a cup of milk, 1.5 ounces of hard cheese, or two cups of yogurt.

Dairy alternatives like soy milk, almond milk, or oat milk are suitable for lactose intolerant or vegan adults with CP. However, they should be fortified with calcium and vitamin D, not naturally present in these options. Choosing alternatives low in saturated fat and sugar and trying different ones to find your preference is advisable.

Dietary Fats

Dietary fat, critical for brain development, skin health, and immune function, and the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K, is a vital part of a healthy diet for adults with CP. However, choosing the right fats matters. Saturated fat can elevate blood cholesterol and heighten heart disease and stroke risk, so limit its intake. Unsaturated fat, on the other hand, is healthier as it doesn’t raise cholesterol levels.

To include healthy fats in your diet, prefer unsaturated fats over saturated ones, use fat sparingly in cooking, select lean cuts of meat, consume fish twice a week, and add nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils instead of butter or margarine. Some examples of healthy fats are vegetable oil, olive oil, nuts, seeds, and rapeseed oil. Saturated fats include coconut oil, palm oil, and butter.

Tips for including healthy fats in your diet are using spray oils, avoiding extra fat when cooking, adding nuts and seeds to meals, and using olive oil or walnut oil in salad dressings. Adults with CP, who may have trouble with chewing and swallowing, should choose easily edible and digestible healthy fats like soft cheeses, yogurt, or blended oils.

Maintaining a healthy weight with sufficient calorie intake is key for adults with CP, and healthy fats can help achieve this without raising cholesterol levels. People in the UK often consume excessive amounts of saturated fat, salt, and sugar, which are unnecessary and potentially harmful. Foods high in these elements include butter, cheese, pastries, processed and canned foods, sweetened drinks, and candies. As healthier alternatives, consider unsalted nuts, carrots with hummus, and yogurt with berries. They offer protein, healthy fats, fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants. These are just a few examples of the many healthy snacks out there to suit your taste.

Vitamin D and Bone Health

Vitamin D and calcium, critical for bone health, aid in calcium absorption and bone strength. This is particularly relevant for individuals with CP who are at an increased risk of osteoporosis. In seasons like autumn and winter, when sunlight, a natural source of vitamin D, is insufficient, it’s crucial to get these nutrients from diet or supplements. Consult your doctor or a dietitian regarding the right amounts for you.

Make sure to choose foods high in vitamin D and calcium. If you’re unable to get enough vitamin D from sunlight or diet, consider a supplement. Regular exercise, in addition to a good diet, can also contribute to strong bones. Following these guidelines can boost your bone health and decrease osteoporosis risk.

Malnutrition and food fortification for people with CP

People with cerebral palsy risk malnutrition due to difficulties in chewing, swallowing, and gastrointestinal issues. Preventing malnutrition involves ensuring sufficient calorie and protein intake through small, frequent, nutrient-rich meals. It’s advised to incorporate protein-rich food in each meal and drink a pint of full-cream milk daily.

Engage a registered dietitian for a tailored meal plan. Make sure your food is easy to chew and swallow, and experiment with various textures and flavours. Adaptive equipment like feeding tubes or thickeners can help if eating is difficult.

Here are some ways to increase calories in your food:

• Opt for full-fat products if underweight
• Add 2-4 tablespoons of skimmed milk powder to a pint of full-cream milk
• Use extra fat/oil in cooking, butter/spreads in sandwiches
• Include sugar/syrup/honey/nut butter/chocolate spread in cereal or porridge
• Enhance soups or sauces with cream/cheese/oil
• Incorporate snacks between meals, like yoghurt, cheese and biscuits, fruit loaf with spread
• Consult your dietitian or doctor for suitable nutritional supplements.