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Pretty much all of us these days is familiar with what a balanced diet is...
Author: Anthony Twist, Senior Dietitian, Midlands Centre for Spinal Cord Injury, Oswestry
Even if not all of us are able to keep to it totally! Having a balanced diet can really help in maintaining good bladder and bowel management.
One of the easiest, tastiest and helpful changes we can make is to aim for five portions of fruit and vegetables per day. A piece of fruit, a small glass of fruit juice, a handful of dried fruit or three tablespoons of vegetables all count as one portion.
Fruit juice only counts as one portion towards your five a day even if you drink more of it, as it lacks the fibre the other options have. If extra weight is a problem then a balanced diet with fewer calories is needed. Three small meals per day are recommended, made up of small portions. Half the plate should be taken up with vegetables.
Small changes add up over time and can have a big effect. Ensure that you have the three F’s right: enough Fibre and Fluid and less Fat. There are two types of fibre: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fibre includes fruit and vegetables, especially beans, and can help to lower cholesterol. Insoluble fibre includes wholewheat bread, pasta, cereals and brown rice.
It is important to maintain fluid intake, two litres per day is often recommended but this will vary from person to person. Two litres is approximately ten cups or eight mugs of fluid taken regularly through the day. Water is the safest bet for fluid, but fruit juices, squashes, and even small amounts of tea and coffee will contribute — see the latest food facts on fluids on the excellent British Dietetic website www.bda.uk.com It is very important that any changes you do make to fibre and fluids are made gradually over a week.
Getting enough fluid will also help the bladder of course. Some people drink a daily glass of cranberry juice as there is some evidence that it may help to prevent bladder infections (unfortunately no large studies have explored this and it is not usually recommended to be taken if you are on Warfarin or are a Diabetic). In essence, a sensible diet is a balanced diet with enough fluid and fibre and keeps weight at the right level.
Good luck and enjoy!
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