Software Vault: The Diamond Collection/The Diamond Collection (Software Vault)(Digital Impact).ISO/cdr15/vegsocuk.zip/INCREASE.TXT

Text File | 1995-03-13 | 9KB | 188 lines

                               VegSocUK Infosheets
                              INCREASE FOOD INTAKE

   If you have lost a lot of weight due to illness, your doctor or dietitian may
   advise you to increase your intake of energy and protein. They may try to
   persuade you that your vegetarian diet is unsuitable. Do stick to your
   principles. This information sheet is to enable you to choose vegetarian
   foods which will help you to gain weight and recover from illness.

   The energy density of foods is important when trying to gain weight. Energy
   density refers to the amount of energy or calories compared to the weight of
   the food. Vegetable foods tend to be less energy dense and so it is
   particularly important for vegetarians to be aware of suitable foods.

   When you are poorly, modern healthy eating advice to reduce fat, reduce sugar
   and increase fibre, is peripheral to your immediate needs. If you know you
   must increase your energy and protein intake, you can do so by increasing
   your fat and sugar intake, and also try to avoid large amounts of fibre.

  IF YOU ARE UNDERWEIGHT BUT HEALTHY

   If you are not ill but feel you are underweight and need to gain then not all
   the advice on this sheet is suitable for you. You should try and increase
   your food intake without consuming too much fat and sugar although a little
   with the right type of food is fine. For example, you can use olive oil on
   baked or boiled potatoes and sugar in a nutritious wholemeal fruit cake.

   Regular meals, especially breakfast, are important if you find it difficult
   to gain weight. Taking your time with meals and making sure you are relaxed
   is also important to ensure that your digestive system functions properly. A
   glass of wine with an evening meal is beneficial to relax you as well as
   stimulating your digestive juices.

   Some people are just naturally thin no matter how much they eat and the envy
   of those who gain weight easily. As long as you are in good health and do not
   drop below the recommended range of weights for your height you should not
   worry.  Exercise can help build up your muscles and make you feel better
   about your body shape.

  LACK OF APPETITE

   If your appetite is poor, you must not forget to eat. Try to have small but
   frequent meals, and if you can manage, snacks in between. You may like to try
   nutritious drinks between meals.

   If you feel nauseous, try to avoid strong cooking smells and have a short
   walk or perhaps just sit in the fresh air before a meal.

  PROTEIN

   Protein is essential to the body, for repair, to enable the immune system to
   function and for recovery from illness. If you are recovering from illness,
   it is important to include adequate protein in your diet. Good vegetarian
   sources of protein include; cereals, seeds, nuts, soya products (soya milk,
   tofu, tempeh etc) and pulses. Milk, yoghurt, cheese, and free range eggs are
   also excellent protein sources for the non- vegan.

   You must ensure that you include a protein source at each meal. Try to choose
   the energy dense sources of protein that are relatively soft and which do not
   contain to much fibre, for example, the soya or dairy sources of protein.

   Try nut butters. There are many more available other than peanut butter, try
   others such as hazel nut or cashew nut butter.

   Soya products are excellent and easily digested sources of protein. Choose
   the nutritional supplemented soya milks with added calcium and sugar.

   If you use dairy products, make good use of soft milky puddings, such as
   custard and rice pudding. Vegans can also get a variety of soya pudding,
   including soya rice pudding. If you like, add jam, honey, ground nuts or
   cream to your pudding. Porridge with a couple of tablespoons of added
   vegetable oil, perhaps with some nuts and/or dried fruit, can be very
   nutritious.

   If you prefer to have white bread, white pasta and refined rice, then do so.
   But remember that the wholemeal varieties are very good sources of the B
   vitamins.

   Make good use of cereal products (wheat, barley, rye, oats etc.), although
   avoid too much fibre. Complement cereals with other sources of proteins, such
   as nuts, seeds, pulses, milk and cheese.

   Seeds, such as sesame seeds (tahini) or sunflower seeds, when ground as a
   paste, can also provide an energy dense source of protein in the diet. Tahini
   is particularly good when combined with a mashed pulse, such as chick peas to
   make hummus.

   Pulses are more easily digested, if well cooked and mashed. Try mashed
   lentils or pured black eye beans.

  ENERGY

   In order to gain weight it is essential to increase the energy content of
   your diet. Also, in order for your body to make proper use of protein, you
   must ensure sufficient energy. The most concentrated form of energy in the

   diet is from fat. If you can tolerate fat then try and increase the fat
   content of your diet.

   Alcohol is also a concentrated form of energy and can be taken in moderation,
   perhaps before meals, as it may help improve your appetite. Only take alcohol
   with your doctors permission.

   If you can tolerate oils, try adding some vegetable oil or vegetable
   margarine to your food, particularly to mashed pulses, salads and potatoes.
   If you like fried foods, then have fried foods.

   Use cream if you can tolerate fats. A good vegan alternative to cream is
   cashew nut cream, made from ground cashew nuts and water.

   Do not restrict your sugar intake, although, always have sweet foods after
   the savoury part of your meal. Glucose is a less sweet and more concentrated
   form of sugar. Glucose can be added to foods and drinks, such as porridge and
   cocoa drinks to increase your energy intake. Check with your dietitian about
   using glucose. She may suggest that your doctor prescribes you a special type
   of non-sweet, high calorie supplement, which can be added to foods and
   drinks.

   If you like to have soup, make sure the soup is as nutritious as possible.
   Add pureed lentils, vegetable oil, butter, whole milk, cream or cheese.

   Make good use of the wide range of vegetable pates and spreads available.

  GENERAL ADVICE

      You may prefer to take puddings half an hour to one  hour after your first
      course, this will enable time for the first course to settle.

      You may find ice-cream, soya or dairy, refreshing after meals.

      Make good use of a food blender, if you have one, to blend fruit,
      vegetable and pulses.

      Have meals with a good sauce, made with pureed fried onions, perhaps with
      tomatoes or mushrooms. To increase the energy density of sauces use butter
      or vegan margarine and add soya milk, silken tofu, cow's milk or cream.

      Do make sure you include a source of vitamin C in your diet, perhaps fresh
      fruit juice, black-currant cordial or rosehip syrup.

      Try and eat some fresh fruit and vegetables or salad each day, especially
      green vegetables, to ensure you get your full compliment of vitamins and
      minerals.  If you cannot tolerate whole fruit or crunchy vegetables, take
      them as fruit juice or a pureed soup made with fresh vegetables.

      High energy drinks, can be made using whole cow's milk, sweetened soya
      milk or silken tofu, with glucose, honey or sugar and a flavouring of your
      choice such as chocolate or vanilla.

      You can buy products from the chemists, to have as meal replacements, when
      your appetite is particularly poor. Do check on their suitability for
      vegetarians.

      Ask your doctor or dietitian about including a vitamin or mineral
      supplement in your diet. If you choose to take a supplement, inform your
      doctor and dietitian. Multi-vitamin and mineral tablets should not do you
      any harm, as long as you stick to the recommended dose.

  IF YOU STILL NEED EXTRA PROTEIN & ENERGY

   Your doctor can prescribe for you special supplements which can help you to
   gain weight. You would usually be referred to a dietitian, who can
   nutritional assess you and recommend the correct type of supplement.

   If you are concerned about the suitability of a any product, for vegetarians
   or vegans, which have been prescribed for you, contact The Vegetarian
   Society. Also contact us if you are having problems with health professionals
   who may be sceptical about your vegetarian or vegan diet.

   ___________________________________


//
This article is copyright to the Vegetarian Society (UK), but may be freely
copied for non-commercial use provided it is kept intact, not altered
and these lines are included.

For futher information contact: The Vegetarian Society, Parkdale, Dunham Road,
Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 4QG, England. Tel: (England) 061 928 0793
email: [e-mail]
//



[The text of this file was obtained from the Vegetarian Society (UK) in
March 1995.]