Nutrition Matters
Something mysterious happens when someone becomes a caregiver. The person for whom you are caring becomes the focus of your world and almost immediately it becomes easy to lose yourself, change your personal priorities and forget the importance of self care and self nurturing. This change in a caregiver’s perspective is the single most important difference between caregivers who are barely surviving vs. Empowered Caregivers who are thriving. One of the keys to Empowered Caregiving is maintaing your physical and mental strength, and one of the ways you can do this is by paying close attention to your nutritional needs.
Caregiving is stressful. There is no way around this. One of the things that many people do when they are stressed is seek comfort from food and especially sugary desserts, salty, fried foods or fast food. It’s just what we do. We reach for the easiest item because it gives us a “boost.” It provides quick sustenance. It’s easy. Or more importantly, for many, it satisfies an emptiness, even if only temporarily. However, there are real consequences for not eating mindfully. Eventually you will feel the effects of bad eating habits, and your overall appearance will reflect this.
We can’t stress enough the importance of self-care to the caregivers. When you are giving care to someone else there are emotional and physical challenges and for many, these conditions lead to stress. When the body is properly nourished, the stress is easier to manage. Couple this with a little exercise and you are helping to set yourself up for success. Physical and mental strength require proper nutrition. If you plan ahead you won’t be searching for the next fast food fix.
Optimal caregiver nutrition is not difficult once you make the decision that you and your body deserve the best. Here’s how we, at The Care Company, manage to eat healthfully throughout the day.
Morning – You must eat breakfast.
Start your day off with a shake. The following is Cindy’s favorite nutritious shake. You can have it any time of the day, but it’s a great way to start your day.
- 1 scoop of Pea Protein Powder – available at any health food store
- 6 oz. of coconut milk – unflavored
- 4 oz of fresh orange juice
- Frozen fruit – peaches and raspberries are delicious
- Blend
Delicious and easy
Snacks — Take these easy snacks to go with you.
- Combine some raw almonds or walnuts (unless you have a food allergy) with some dried fruit. Throw in some raisins and you have a delicious healthy snack.
- Keep some fresh fruit in your bag
- Carrots and celery come pre-cut for easy snacking
- String cheese and an apple
Lunch – Many of us eat lunch on the go. It’s our way of life. Avoid stopping at a fast-food restaurant and instead pack a sandwich on whole wheat bread with turkey, tomato, avocado and lettuce. It’s okay to add a slice of cheese. Complete, balanced and delicious. A sandwich like the one above provides all the essentials for healthful eating.
Dinner – Eat real food. Lean protein, vegetable and perhaps a little rice or pasta on the side. You need protein to keep your energy stores high.
Hydrate – If possible give up the sodas and opt for eight glasses of water a day. Keep your body hydrated. You will feel and look better. Water, water, water. If you don’t like the taste of plain water, add a little lemon or lime. Good for cleansing the liver.
We do not profess to be nutritionists, but as professional caregivers we speak from experience. It is just as easy to eat healthy food, as it is to eat junk. These simple tips will help fuel your body. It’s just a fact that what we feed our bodies plays a direct role in our overall health. Try this plan for a week and see if you just don’t feel stronger, more alert and calmer. Another advantage of healthy eating for some people is a better night’s sleep. Now there’s a bonus.
