As we age, it can become difficult to keep up a balanced diet and healthy eating can be forgotten about. However, keeping a healthy and balanced diet is important at any age. At Brooks Care we promote healthy living, making sure our clients are well nourished. The government guidelines for daily calorie intake is 2,000 for women and 2,500 for men. This should be reached by having a balanced diet consisting of 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day. These meals should include food from all the food groups as shown below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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• Swap your carbohydrates for whole meal and high fibre based

• Source your protein from meat, fish, eggs and various beans and pulses

• Choose lower fat and lower sugar options such as skimmed milk, low fat yogurt

• Use oils and spreads in small amount

• Drink plenty of fluids, up to 6 – 8 glasses per day (water is best)

• Try and eat foods that are high in fat and sugar in moderation, it’s okay to treat yourself as long as you balance it out

• Keep salt to a minimum

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The government have introduced food labelling on the front of packaging, this gives a guideline as to what the fat salt and sugar content is in that particular food type. Colour coding is used red amber and green.

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Alcohol

Alcohol also contains calories and should be drunk responsibly. It is not safe to drink in pregnancy and binge drinking is not advisable. Care should be taken if you are taking regular medication.

The safe guidelines for alcohol consumption for men and women stated by the UK chief medical officer are as follows (max 14 units per week):

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• 6 medium glasses of wine

• 6 pints of larger

• 5 pints of cider

• Or 14 (pub measure) of spirits

 

 

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