Hi Susi

I attach some dietary information for you which I hope will be of help to you and the other members.

There are also lots of ideas in Gillian’s books which may be of use to you; see You are what you eat, You are what you eat – the cookbook and The Ultimate Health plan for lots of inspiration and recipe ideas. See also Gillian’s new Shopping Guide for ideas of what to buy and how to shop.

In order to get specific and personal advice it is necessary to consult a nutritional therapist for a face to face consultation. They will take your whole case history and will explain what the imbalances are that may be causing the symptoms and will give nutritional and lifestyle recommendations to help restore balance. Go to www.bant.org.uk or www.ion.ac.uk to find one in your area

Always consult with your GP or medical specialist before embarking on any nutritional programme. Our information is for educational purposes, not personal care.

Best wishes

JOSIE COWGILL, DipION Dip Col Nat
Nutritional Therapist
McKEITH RESEARCH LTD
www.gillianmckeithclub.com

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Recommendations for Quadriplegics and Paraplegics


Many of the recommendations for healthy eating generally will apply to you. If you are in a wheelchair or sitting down for much of the day you may need to pay particular attention to keeping your metabolism going to avoid weight gain and circulation problems and to digestive health as constipation can result through lack of stimulation through movement.

Dietary Recommendations

Drink 2 litres of water a day. It is important to stay well hydrated in order to be healthy and to have healthy bowel movements. Drink a large glass of warm water _ an hour before meals and avoid drinking too much with meals as this can interfere with the digestive juices. Other good fluids to take in include herbal teas and vegetable juices. It may be best to avoid fruit juices due to their affect on blood sugar.

Eat fruit first thing. Fruit is at its most cleansing and beneficial when eaten on an empty stomach. Starting the day with a piece of fruit such as apples, pears, plums or berries is a good way to kick start the digestive process.

Eat a healthy breakfast. Your metabolism and digestive function are at their strongest in the morning so make the most of this. Good breakfasts include sugar free muesli, porridge, spinach omelette, rye toast with nut butter or cooked grains such as quinoa or millet. Eggs may be best avoided if constipation is a problem.

Have a mid morning and mid afternoon snack. Eating small, regular meals and snacks of healthy foods is a good way to keep the metabolism fired up; think of it like putting another log on the fire. Healthy snacks include fruit, nuts, seeds, vegetable sticks with hummous, oat cakes with nut butter, toasted nori strips and avocadoes.

Include salad or vegetables with lunch. Good lunch options include fish, chicken, egg, quinoa or bean salads, soups, vegetable crudités with dips, avocadoes and left overs from the night before.

Make dinner a light meal in the early evening. It is best not to eat a large heavy meal in the evening as your metabolism and digestive function are at their lowest. Make sure half the plate is vegetables or salads. Good examples include stir fries, grilled chicken or fish with salad, soups, bean casseroles with rice or quinoa or lentil dahl. Casseroles and stews are great for heating up the next day for a quick lunch so get into the habit of making extra.

Include sea vegetables in your diet. These contain iodine needed for thyroid function. The thyroid is what controls your metabolic rate. Examples include nori, kelp, kombu, arame and dulse.

Get plenty of fibre. Fibre is vital for keeping things moving through the gut. Good sources include fruit, vegetables, pulses, brown rice, millet, oats, quinoa, barley and rye. Avoid constipating foods such as dairy products, red meat, eggs, wheat and soya if you are prone to constipation.

Include soaked linseeds daily. Linseeds (flax seeds) contain a mucilaginous fibre that can help to lubricate the bowels. Soak whole or ground linseeds overnight and drink the seeds and liquid the next morning; it will be gloopy!

Other useful aids to keep the bowels moving include nettle tea, dandelion root coffee, liquorice tea, warm water with lemon juice first thing in the morning, warm water and well cooked whole grains.

Avoid sugar, refined carbohydrates, alcohol and soft drinks. These are all nutrient poor and calorie rich and can contribute to weight gain, constipation and poor health.

Use herbs and spices to aid digestion and immunity. Good digestive herbs include fennel, peppermint, chamomile, ginger and lemon balm. All of these can be drunk as teas after meals. Other good herbs to include in your diet for their health giving effects include thyme, rosemary, sage and oregano. To aid circulation include warming but gentle spices such as ginger, cinnamon, turmeric and coriander.

Supplements to aid bowel function include: magnesium, vitamin C, milk thistle, probiotics, prebiotics and digestive enzymes. However, it is best to check with your medical specialist before taking any supplements, especially if you are undergoing treatment or taking medications.

Get moving as much as you can. Engage in any form of physical activity that you can; stretching and swimming are great. Massage is also good for getting the circulation moving and the digestive system fired up. Massage the colon from just above the right hip, up to the right ribs, across to the other side and down to the left hip in a circular motion. This can help to move the bowel contents. There are also yoga stretches and exercises you may be able to do; these can improve circulation and digestion.

Thank you very much, all you do is appreciated more than you know.

What can I say rkzenrage. I only sought this way out as I was having difficulties with a nutritionally correct diet. If you can get Dr. G McKeith's book mentioned. It makes a lot of sense. Althouh I cannot get a lot of the fresh ingredients and extraordinary items mentioned, am waiting for answer to tell me which supplements are best to take.

Am starting eating plan on Monday, and I will let you all know how its going.

You must be a doctor or nurse- if not do you follow this diet? Do you know how hard, or almost impossible to do that? This is a ideal diet every one should follow, but do they? I thought I ate healthy, but seeing this I eat horrible.

Thanks Apparelyzed!

I'm always trying to improve my diet.
Lots of great ideas for me to research.
I got up on a mission to get my bowels moving better, naturally.
Got on your site & was drawn straight to this thread.
Must've been directed by God.

I've always tryed to eat for health,
but I really see the need now that I'm in the chair.
So thanks I needed this.

Also,
I have low blood sugar so I eat a low glycemic diet.
6 small meals a day, combining fruit & protein.
It really works controlling weight gain.
I can eat a lot more this way.

I try to chew my food slow.
Include foods with texture.
I take time to feel each bite in my mouth, fully enjoying it.

I use splenda instead of sugar.
It taste great & cut backs the calories.

I'm trying to find a replacement for diet DP & cofee.
I can't find a tea I like.

I want something that taste good & good for you.
Any suggestions appreciated.

iOserV I eat alot like that diet.
It takes time to switch over what you eat.
Start with adding fruits & nuts.
Then change what you drink.
Also start with 6 small meals.
Then read over the diet and see what you like on it,
and add or swiitch an item one thing at a time.
It's well worth the way you feel, your health.

My "Chris" was always health oriented when it came to his diet and has become even more so since his injury.. But I find it tragic that you almost need to be wealthy to eat right.. Organic foods trippled to non organic etc.... As his Full time care giver I have recently been converted.. As a AB person I have become SUPER REGULAR... But Chris is still struggeling with BM'S.. he thinks this due to medications.. He has a regular diet of more than three servings of fruit more than 7 servings of vegies low protiens except nuts.and Sardines. uses only soy no dairy... WE flax it up.. herbs spices expensive vitamin packets.....EVERY TEA under the sun...Multi grain cereals and breads...olive oil...Apple cider pomegrante juice Cranberry juice and supliments....(possibly still low on fluids..) Still...... Poopin aint easy.....enemeeze and laxitives... Any suggestions from anyone... Our morning routine.. takes so long and with our gifted "medicaid" Camode... Is no help me spend an hour pressure relieving and massaging after his efforts.. he does go ever day.. it just seems like a time consuming chore.. is this just the norm ? Another welcome to Para life... Or does any one have any suggestions for us? Thanks Cori and Chris

"We flax it up"

I'm a quad 17 yrs., and was eating right, but still having trouble.
Until I added fortified flax to my cereal. 1 tablespoon.
Now it's so-o-o-o much better. Different as day & night.
My medicne slows mine down.

I am sorry it has taken me so long to answer to this thread. Had major computer crises' and thankfully now resolved.

I too have now implemented the diet prescribed by Dr. Gillian McKeith, and yes it is expensive, but for the sake of health worthwhile pursuing as you two are doing. I have not yet gone off chemical medication for successful bowel routine, however there are noticeable changes with the diet. As regards your bowel routine, I was referred to an Intestine specialist, after almost 3 years of unsuccessful bowel routine. Other than invasive surgery, I opted for trying a different routine. As he said, unless you are a vegetarian, nothing can sort out a regular bowel movement for us. This is what he suggested, instead and urging for a more balanced and healthy diet. It has worked and done wonders for my lifestyle.

I take an oral solution, Movicol, which prevents and breaks down constipation, in the morning. An hour or so later I then take 2 Dulcolax suppositories, to stimulate bowel movement. I lie down for this and wait up to 20mins, and sometimes up to an hour. I then transfer to the loo and have successful bowel movement. Once a week, try for a weekend, I take an oral solution, KleenPrep, of 2-3l, to do a complete colon clean-out, in case of any left-overs from week routine. I take Probiotics every day (2 capsules) and drink Fennel tea to calm stomach, and at least 2 cups of Nettle tea a day, to build up immunity.

I have had no accidents this way, only after a colon clean-out I stay off any solids for the day, and only have a soup afterwards. There is leakage at bedtime, so use linen savers for the aftermath for that night only.

It has improved my life greatly, as before couldn't go out of house or exercises, as had fear of accidents. Also my previous routine involved 3 Dulcolax tablets at night (going on the principle that 6-8 hours bowel movement would happen) and inevitably from about 03h00 onwards, if I didn't make the loo in time, would happen in bed. So this 2nd routine suggested has suited me perfectly. My relationship with my husband has also picked up and makes it possible for us to pursue a more satisfactory love-life and socialising.

I hope this helps somewhat towards your help plea.