We are joined this week by Lorna Ryan, Registered Clinical Nutritionist/Nutritional Therapy, and Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner, for Nutrition and Hydration week and the topic is ‘Daily Nutritional Goals.’
The following information should not constitute medical advice, dietary advice, or treatment. Individuals should consult a healthcare professional before making changes to their nutritional plan.
Daily nutritional intake goals will vary from one person to the next to make allowances for their unique health presentation.
Your goals might also change according to your present symptoms. One day you might be more fatigued or more constipated or in more pain and so what to eat might change from another day when you’re feeling quite energetic, your digestion is quite good, and you have limited pain.
You see a lot of specifics online about tracking foods and meal planning, however clinically, we don’t often use this method. On a day to day basis, broadly speaking, we like to encourage those with EDS or HSD to follow this simple approach;
- Aim for a food-first approach, which essentially means to consume a wide variety of whole foods to supports optimal health. Choosing non-processed foods where possible and not relying on supplementation for nutrient intake.
- Consume a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats with every meal.
- Eat a diverse range of foods throughout the day – think all the colors of the rainbow!
- Include some probiotic foods to support gut health i.e. yogurt, miso, or kimchi.
- Include some prebiotic foods to feed your gut bacteria i.e. onions, asparagus, parsnips, garlic, and leeks (NB. these foods may not be suitable for some gastrointestinal (GI) issues).
- Remember to consume adequate fluids throughout the day.
- View every meal as an opportunity to increase nutrient density and diversity – even if you have been advised to follow a specific diet by a nutritional professional, there’s always a little room for improvement.
- Eat something little every day that makes you happy – remember food can bring enjoyment.”
Tomorrow we will cover some nutrition hacks! Watch Lorna’s talk on nutrition and hydration now, in full, here.
Lorna Ryan is a Clinical Nutritionist/Nutritional Therapy, and Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner who has a clinical practice based in London, UK, and online internationally. Lorna is the Chair of the Diet and Nutrition Working Group of the International Consortium on the Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders.
