I have had the privilege of working with Manchester Carers Network for the last few years and have met so many wonderful carers. Carers do such a fantastic job of looking after other people but sometimes it can be hard to fit in time to look after themselves. I run workshops with Manchester Carers Network which, if you are a Manchester based carer, you can book onto free of charge.
In this article I will share some tips for carers on eating well.
1) Have breakfast
It is so easy not to when life is busy but even a quick breakfast will help stablise blood sugar levels and reduce the chances of you grabbing snacks later – good quick options are overnight oats, a slice of wholemeal toast with peanut butter or fruit and plain yoghurt.
2) Keep hydrated
Having water throughout the day and keeping well hydrated can help keep our kidneys healthy, keep blood pressure at a healthy level, help concentration and stop us from overeating. Water is the ideal drink but unsweetened, non alcoholic drinks all help. Aim for about 8 glasses of fluid a day. I find having water ready (eg in water bottles or glasses around the house) helps prompt me to drink.
3) Try and eat what the rest of your household eat
Those you care for might be on special diets or they might not eat a healthy balanced diet but trying to find things which can be adapted for those you care for rather than cooking a whole different meal can be cheaper and also save time. For example could you add extra veg to your plate if your child won’t eat much veg. Could you make a Bolognese sauce with lots of veg and blend it for the person who is limited to blended food?
4) Love your freezer
Whether it is batch cooking or using frozen fruit and veg, your freezer is your friend. Having quick options to grab from the freezer is really helpful and reduces food waste.
5) Supercharge ready meals
Ideally we all cook from scratch but the reality is sometimes ready meals are the only option. That’s ok. Ready meals are often higher in salt and sugar than meals we cook at home so look for the options which are lower when you are buying ready meals. They are generally lower in fibre too. So have a bag of salad ready to have with your meal, or tinned sweetcorn, or frozen veg. It won’t add time to the prep but it will help your digestion and keep you fuller for longer. Plus, all those vitamins and minerals from the veg will help your body function even better.
Disclaimer – this article is intended for information purposes only and doesn’t replace personalised advice.
If you would like one to one support tailored around your needs, get in touch.