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Nutrition - SCI InfoSheet #8
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Nutrition -Spinal Cord Injury - InfoSheet #8
Date: January, 1996
Basic good nutrition is important for everyone. The foods you eat
affect how you look, how you feel, and how your body systems work.
Eating the right foods each day provides your body with all the
nutrients it needs. A proper diet helps to: - give you energy.
- fight infections.
- maintain proper body weight.
- keep all your body systems working properly.
This does not change after having a spinal cord injury. However,
because of changes that occur to the body after a spinal cord
injury, you need to understand the role that nutrition plays in
keeping you healthy. The foods you include in your daily meal plan
are important to your overall health following a spinal cord
injury.
After SCI: Changes and Concerns
After a spinal cord injury most individuals normally lose
some weight. Men usually lose more than women. Immediately after
the injury the body requires energy and nutrients to repair itself
and fight infection. The spinal cord injury puts stress on the
body. When the body is stressed, the metabolic rate is higher.
This means that the body burns calories faster. Often during this
time newly injured patients are not able to eat a regular diet.
Paralyzed muscles also atrophy which causes additional weight loss.
The loss of weight slows after 3 to 4 weeks.
Individuals with SCI experience changes in how their different
body systems work. Many of the changes that the body experiences
can be managed by eating healthy meals and snacks. Eating the
proper foods, in the correct amount, every day, provide the body
with the essential nutrients.
Special health concerns that individuals with spinal cord
injury have are:
- Bowel Management
- Individuals with SCI may have neurogenic bowel. This means
the messages from the brain that control the downward muscular
movements of the bowel are either absent or not working properly.
This makes it difficult for stool to move through the intestines.
A healthy diet that includes high fiber and plenty of fluids
is the way to regulate your bowel program. The fiber helps move
the stool through the bowel. The fluid keeps the stool soft.
Foods high in fat may make it difficult to regulate your bowel
program.
- Eat 25-35 grams of fiber every day.
- Drink 8-10 8oz glasses of liquid each day.
- Heart Problems
- Individuals with SCI are now at greater risk for
cardiovascular and heart problems since they are now living longer.
Too much cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease.
- Watch the amount of cholesterol that you eat each day. Have
your cholesterol checked when you go for your annual medical
check-up.
- Avoid foods high in cholesterol. Cholesterol is only found in
animal products (meats, eggs, cheese, and whole milk dairy
products).
You also need to limit the amount of salt in your daily food
plan. Too much salt is a hazard if you have high blood pressure or
heart problems.
- Pressure Ulcers
- Pressure ulcers are always a concern to individuals with SCI.
Your skin is more likely to breakdown when you do not eat healthy
meals and snacks. A healthy diet helps keep your skin healthy and
prevents the risk of pressure ulcers.
If you should develop a pressure ulcer, a diet high in
protein, vitamins, and minerals is recommended.
- Eating foods rich in vitamins and protein help pressure sores heal quickly.
- Remember, do you pressure releases frequently!
- Kidney or Bladder Stones
- Individuals with spinal cord injuries may be prone to developing
calcium stones. Certain beverages can cause crystals to form in
the urine. Do not eat or drink an excess of dairy products (milk,
cheese, yogurt, ice cream).
- The best way to avoid kidney or bladder stones is to make water
your beverage of choice.
- Urinary Tract Infection
- The loss of normal bladder function after SCI places an
individual at risk for Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). A high fluid
intake everyday reduces the problem of infections and stones
forming. The fluids that pass through the kidneys help keep the
bladder and catheter relatively clear. You need to understand how
much fluid to drink each day to manage your bladder program.
Drinking carbonated beverages (soda pop), orange juice, and
grapefruit juice can cause the urine to become alkaline. When urine
becomes alkaline it can have a strong, unpleasant odor. Alkaline
urine is a breeding ground for bacteria that can cause UTI.
Limit the number of these beverages you drink each day.
- Make WATER your #1 beverage of choice.
Weight Control
After a spinal cord injury it is important to find a weight that is acceptable and healthy for
you. Your metabolic rate may be lower after your SCI. Metabolic
rate is how fast your body burns the calories you eat. A lower
muscle mass and a decrease in activities causes your metabolic rate
to be lower. This means you need fewer calories each day in order
to maintain a desirable weight. After rehabilitation, the ideal
body weight of a person with SCI is lower than for a nondisabled
individual. In figuring the number of calories needed by an
individual with SCI, dieticians normally decrease the amount by 5%
for those with paraplegia and 10-15% for those with tetraplegia
(quadriplegia).
- Overweight
- Gaining weight is a common concern of many individuals after
having an SCI. This weight increase may occur because you:
- change your lifestyle and activities.
- are not able to exercise at a level to burn the extra calories.
- become bored and frustrated, turning to food as a solution to
this problem.
The danger of being overweight with a spinal cord injury is
that it decreases your mobility, endurance, and balance. This can
make transfers dfficult. Some ways to help avoid gaining weight
are to:
- Know what you are eating. Read the labels on food products.
- Know how many calories you can eat without gaining
weight. Try not to go over this amount.
- Be active and exercise.
There are other benefits to exercise besides helping to
control your weight.
- You look better as exercise can help tone muscles.
- You feel better as your endurance increases and the
cardiovascular system improves.
- Underweight
- If you keep losing weight it usually means your body is using more
calories than you are eating. There are dangers to being
underweight. You
- may be at a higher risk for infections and
pressure sores.
- may have less energy and tire easily.
- Body Image
- After spinal cord injury you may find that your body carries
weight differently than it did before your injury. Muscle mass
decreases and fat may increase in the parts of your body that are
paralyzed. The weight often settles in the torso or abdominal
areas. The legs often lose their muscle mass and appear skinny and
shapeless. You may find that your idea of "ideal body image" may
need to change.
- Goals of Weight Control
- The goals for weight control after a spinal cord injury are to
- Eat foods high in nutrients.
- Balance the calories you eat with the calories you burn.
- Choose foods moderate in calories.
- Maintain your normal activities without tiring easily.
- Understanding Calories,Grams, and Nutrients
- It is important to know how to get the recommended amount of each nutrient to maintain your desired weight. To do this you
need to understand calories and grams. A calorie is the amount of
energy in food. It is the fuel for your body. Foods are also
measured by weight units called "grams".
Each nutrient contains a specific number of calories per gram.
This means that when you eat a certain amount of a nutrient, it
provides your body with a certain amount of fuel. If your body
stores more fuel than it uses, you gain weight.
You should design your daily food plan based on the
recommended daily amounts for each nutrient. This amount is based
on a percent of your total daily calories.
Carbohydrates - 50-60% of total calories
Protein - 20% of total calories
Fat - 30% or less of total calories
Each nutrient also contains a specific number of calories per
gram.
Carbohydrates = 4 calories/gram
Protein = 4 calories/gram
Fat = 9 calories/gram
Fat grams are the most important to count in a weight control
program. They are the most "fattening". Using the following
formula you can determine the proper amount of fat grams to include
in your daily food plan.
- Example:
- You know that you can eat 1800 calories each day and maintain your
weight. To determine the amount of Fat grams you can have each day
figure: 1800 calories x .3 (30%) = 540 calories
540 calories/9 grams = 60 grams or less of fat a day.
You can also adjust this formula to figure the amount (grams)
of protein and carbohydrates that you need to eat each day.
What Nutrients do for You
Eating a healthy variety of foods is the key to good nutrition. There are 8 main nutrients that the body needs each day to stay healthy and keep you body working properly.
Carbohydrates
the body's main source of energy.
helps to give the stomach a full feeling.
Foods rich in Carbohydrates: breads - pasta - potatoes - rice
fruits - vegetables. Carbohydrates do not contain a significant amount of fat, unless it is added.
- Fats
- provide the body with energy.
- help insulate the body.
- help in cell and membrane growth.
There are 2 types of fats, unsaturated and saturated. Unsaturated
fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated) are liquid at room temperature. These are generally alright for your heart and arteries. They can actually help reduce cholesterol level in the
blood and are considered "heart healthy". Saturated fats are solid
at room temperature. These fats are generally bad for your heart and arteries and should be avoided.
- Saturated (solid): whole milk products, butter, lard, coconut oil, palm oil, poultry skin, bacon grease
- Unsaturated (liquid)
- Polyunsaturated - safflower oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, corn oil.
- Monounsaturated - canola oil, olive oil, peanut oil, nuts.
WARNING! Avoid hydrogenated fats. These are liquid fats that are processed into hard fats (read your food labels).
Fats are also present in many different foods - margarine, salad dressings, mayonnaise, bakery goods, meat, and dairy products.
- Protein
- builds and repairs body cells.
- helps prevent skin breakdown pressure sores.
- helps fight infection.
- helps heal wounds.
- Foods containing Protein: meat - fish - poultry - cheese - eggs
dried peas & beans - nuts - peanut butter.
Remember, foods high in protein may be high in fat!
- Vitamins
- Vitamins help with certain chemical reactions in the body.
Vitamin A
- keeps skin and nerves healthy.
- helps resist infection.
Foods high in Vitamin A: dark green and yellow fruits and vegetables
carrots - squash - sweet potatoes - apricots - spinach - egg yolks.
B Vitamins
- help with digestion.
- provide energy.
- keep eyes, skin, and nerves healthy.
Foods rich in B Vitamins: whole grain cereals and breads - pork - peanuts - meats - green leafy vegetables.
Vitamin D
- helps the body use calcium and phosphorus.
- works with calcium to form bones.
Sources of Vitamin D: Fortified milk - fish liver oils. Exposure to sunlight.
- Minerals
- Aid in wound healing and tissue repair.
Calcium
- helps build bones and teeth.
- aids in blood clotting.
- helps develop muscle tone.
Foods rich in Calcium: milk - cheese - yogurt - dried peas and beans - salmon with bones - sardines - dark green leafy vegetables - broccoli.
Iron
- helps build blood cells.
- carries oxygen to all cells.
Foods rich in Iron: liver - lean red meats - fortified breads & cereals - dried peas & beans - green leafy vegetables - dried fruits - nuts
Potassium
- regulates muscles and nerves.
A good source for potassium is bananas.
- Fiber
- Fiber or "roughage" is found in foods that come from plants. It is the part of
fruits, vegetables, and grains that cannot be digested. There are two kinds of
fiber, soluble and insoluble.
- Insoluble fiber (like wheat bran) speeds up elimination.
- Soluble fiber (oats and fruits) binds with fats like cholesterol and carries them out of the body.
- keeps bowel movements regular.
- holds food in the stomach longer.
- slows down calorie absorption.
- helps keep you from feeling hungry.
- Foods high in Fiber: Fresh or dried fruits - vegetables (fresh is best) - brown or wild rice - dried beans and peas - wheat germ - popcorn - whole grain breads and cereals.
Fiber cannot do its job without fluid!
- Water and Fluids
- Water is an important nutrient that most people do not think about when panning
their diet.
- regulates body temperature.
- carries food nutrients through the body.
- carries food waste out of the body.
- After SCI it is recommended that you drink 8 -10 (8 ounce) glasses of water or
other liquids every day. This amount:
- helps prevent urinary tract infections.
- helps prevent kidney and bladder stones.
- keeps stools soft for regulating your bowel program.
- aids with digestion and elimination.
- There are many fluids that you can drink but water should be your #1 beverage
choice. When selecting your beverage to drink remember to
- Limit the amount of milk that you drink. Calcium in milk may cause kidney or
bladder stones.
- Limit carbonated beverages (soft drinks) to 1 a day. They cause the urine to
become alkaline and have an unpleasant odor.
- If you are watching your weight, avoid fluids with calories (juices, milkshakes,
soft drinks).
Fluids: Water - lemonade - Kool-aid - decaf tea - non-frozen cranberry or apple juice
The Food Guide Pyramid
There are approximately 50 different nutrients needed by a cell for it to live.
A basic diet plan following the food guide pyramid provides these needed
nutrients. Use the food pyramid as your daily eating guide.
The foods at the bottom or the largest part of the pyramid should be eaten in the
largest amounts. The foods at the top or the smallest part of the pyramid, should
be eaten in the smallest amounts.
The base of the pyramid is made up of the breads and starches. These foods should
form the base of your diet. Foods in this group include breads, cereals, pasta,
and grains. They are usually low in fat and high in carbohydrates and the bodyþs
favorite energy source. They are also high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Plan 6 - 11 servings in your daily food plan.
The next pyramid level contains fruits and vegetables. Like the breads and
starches, foods from these two groups should be eaten in large amounts. Fruits
and vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They are fat free
and make great snacks during munchy attacks. Plan for 3-5 servings of vegetables
and 2-4 serving of fruits each day.
The third level of the pyramid includes dairy products and meats and meat
substitutes. These foods are great sources of high quality protein.
Unfortunately, they also tend to be high in fat, so choose carefully. The best
choices include skim and 1% milk, lowfat and nonfat cheeses and yogurt. Lowfat
meats include skinless chicken, fish, lean beef, fresh pork and lean ham.
The top of the pyramid is occupied by the fats, oils, and sweets. Since this is
the smallest part of the pyramid, these foods should make-up the smallest part of
your diet.
Does your diet look like the food pyramid? Think of ways you can increase the
breads, starches, fruits and vegetables in your diet.
To order a copy of "The Food Guide Pyramid" booklet, send $1 check or money order
made out to the Superintendent of Documents to:Consumer Information Center, Dept
159-Y, Pueblo, Colorado 81009 .
Developed by: Michelle C Jeffcoat, MS, RD and Linda Lindsey, MEd
Medical RRTC in Secondary Complications in SCI
Training Office, Room 506, UAB-Spain Rehabilitation Center
1717 6th Ave. S, Birmingham, AL 35233-7330
(205) 934-3283 or (205) 934-4642 (TTD only)
For permission to reprint for further distribution, you can submit a request to , contact the SCI Web Information Manager, or write to RRTC Training
Office listed above.
c 1996 Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama
The University of Alabama at Birmingham provides equal opportunity
in education and employment.
This publication is supported in part by a grant (#H133B80012) from
the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research,
Dept of Education, Washington, D.C. 20202. Opinions expressed in
this document are not necessarily those of the granting agency.
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