Make sure that you have a nutritious diet

So often we hear these words but what does a ‘nutritious diet’ really mean?

Eating a variety of food is a good start as this means there is a greater chance of getting the protein, vitamins and minerals that the body needs. Different foods contain different nutrients. For example, spinach and other green leafy vegetables contain folate, oranges provide vitamin C, bananas provide potassium and wholegrain bread contains thiamine. Red meat is a good source of protein, iron and zinc, while dairy foods are excellent for calcium, zinc and protein.

Choose food from the following groups each day for variety
and nutrition.

• Meat (beef, veal, pork, lamb, rabbit, kangaroo) fish and other seafood, poultry (chicken, duck, turkey), eggs, nuts and legumes (e.g. chick peas, baked beans and butter beans)
• Milk, yoghurt, cheese, custard and ice-cream
• Bread, cereals, rice, pasta and noodles
• Vegetables
• Fruits

Fats and oils are also important. These foods provide energy (Calories or kilojoules) as well as important fat soluble vitamins such as A and D and essential fatty acids such as omega-6 and omega-3. Older people should not be on a low fat diet.

When appetite is poor, the food that is eaten should be nutrient and proteinrich and calorie - dense. This means that there should be as many nutrients as possible ‘packed’ into every mouthful and this includes protein and calories (or kilojoules).

Enough food needs to be eaten in order to get the nutrients the body needs
and to prevent unnecessary muscle loss and weight loss. Choose foods
that will be enjoyed and, don’t go hungry.