Understanding the importance of a healthy diet if you have a chronic disease

Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are fast approaching and so are the delicious candies, pies, and cookies that go along with our celebrations. It’s easy to over-indulge. That’s why it’s important to remember that healthy eating habits are a key component to our wellbeing. FYZICAL Corpus Christi is a physical therapy clinic that uses a holistic approach, so in addition to helping our patients with strength, endurance, and range of motion, we stress the importance of hydration, sleep, and healthy diets, especially for our patients with chronic conditions.

Chronic illnesses can be debilitating and life-threatening, but for some people, the biggest challenge they face is what to eat and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Chronic illness diet restrictions vary depending on the type of chronic illness you have.

Consider the following when researching your unique health condition and talking to your doctor about how to maintain a healthy diet with your chronic illness:

What is a chronic illness?

A chronic disease is a long-term illness that lasts for more than three months. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines chronic diseases as those which are "caused by human behavior and lifestyle, including poor nutrition."

Chronic illnesses can be caused or aggravated by certain behaviors such as smoking or drinking too much alcohol. Other risk factors may include obesity, lack of physical activity, high blood pressure, or family history.

Examples of chronic illnesses include diabetes, asthma, chronic kidney disease, and heart disease. Treatment may include taking prescribed medication and making lifestyle changes. Warning signs for chronic diseases include pain that doesn't go away, unexplained weight loss, and extreme tiredness.

If you have a chronic disease such as diabetes or heart disease, it's important to keep your diet healthy so that you can live your life without pain or fatigue for years to come.

Why does a healthy diet matter to those with chronic illnesses?

A healthy diet is important to those with chronic diseases because different foods may have adverse effects on your body. For example, someone with Crohn's disease who suffers from diarrhea would have a very difficult time eating foods that are high in fiber because this could cause them more stomach pain or illness.

Someone with diabetes should also avoid any sweets such as cakes, doughnuts, or candy bars since these foods cause a rapid spike in blood sugar, which could cause that person to need insulin or go into a diabetic coma, in extreme cases.

Having a balanced diet with CKD is important to ensure your kidneys aren't working too hard to filter wastes and fluids out of your blood.

These are just a few examples of why a healthy diet is crucial to living and thriving with a chronic illness.

What types of diet restrictions apply to those with chronic illnesses?

While each chronic condition has its own set of diet restrictions, the most common restrictions include avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and sugar.

Alcohol: Alcohol increases the risk of dehydration and can lead to kidney problems, liver problems, digestive issues, and even cancer.

Caffeine: Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, chocolate, cocoa products like hot chocolate or ice cream, and many other foods. It may increase heart rate, interfere with sleep patterns, cause anxiety symptoms such as trouble concentrating or feeling irritable, and make chronic disease symptoms worse.

Sugar: Chronic illnesses are often associated with insulin resistance which can lead to type II diabetes. Sugar intake should be limited in order to manage blood glucose levels. This includes limiting processed foods such as candies and desserts or other sugary snacks that could spike your blood glucose level quickly.

What types of chronic illnesses typically require diet restrictions?

The most common chronic illnesses that require diet restrictions are:

Diabetes: Diabetes is a chronic disease that can cause difficulties in blood sugar regulation. It's important to keep your blood glucose at an even level so you don't experience any highs or lows throughout the day. To do this, it's recommended that people with diabetes follow a diet low in carbohydrates and high in protein and fat.

Kidney disease: According to the National Kidney Foundation, people with CKD should limit their intake of phosphorus and sodium. Sodium can cause you to retain too much fluid, which is important to reduce when on dialysis.

Heart disease and hypertension: These are both types of cardiac disease that require a healthy diet. When it comes to heart disease, you should limit your intake of saturated fats and cholesterol while increasing the amount of omega-three fatty acids in your diet from sources like nuts or salmon. For hypertension (or high blood pressure), focus on limiting sodium, fatty oils, and red meat.

Crohn's disease: In order to have a healthy diet for this chronic disease, you should avoid foods with gluten and limit your fiber intake. Try eating small amounts of food at each meal three or four times per day in order to not cause irritation in the intestines.

Chronic fatigue syndrome: In order to have a healthy diet for this chronic illness, you should follow a high-carb, low protein, and sugar diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals like zinc and magnesium. You can also choose foods with some fat content but limit your fats consumption overall by not cooking with oils or butter.

What are some tips to maintain a healthy diet when you have a chronic illness?

While there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to eating healthy with a chronic illness, there are some general guidelines that can be followed.

The first step to eating healthy when you have a chronic illness is understanding the restrictions you might face for your diet. With this information, it's easier to find foods within those limitations that will help you meet your dietary needs and stay as healthy as possible.

Second, determine your goals with your doctor or dietitian and develop an eating plan. Depending on the severity and nature of your condition, you may need more strict guidelines.

Third, consider your lifestyle. Do you have a lot of time for meal preparation and cooking healthy meals at home, or do you need to find other solutions, such as a meal box delivery service?

Fourth, explore tools and resources available to you. There are plenty of websites and books out there that can provide you with tips on how to make healthy choices, along with other helpful tools and online communities.

If you have a chronic illness, it's important to adjust your diet by eliminating what doesn't work for you or adding supplements if needed. If you're not sure where to start with healthy eating, consider talking to your doctor or consulting a registered dietitian who can provide professional advice on how best to manage your diet with your condition.

How FYZICAL Corpus Christi, Therapy & Balance Center Can Help

Obviously diet is one of the most crucial facets of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and even though it’s only one component, it also influences the other pillar of wellness: physical fitness. Nutrition can directly influence recovery time while an individual with a chronic illness or condition is going through treatment.

Simply put, having the right nutrients in your body in the right proportions can help the human body heal more efficiently from conditions such as chronic inflammation, arthritis, and Type 2 diabetes. If you or a loved one wants to learn more information about how diet, exercise, and chronic conditions influence one another, have a conversation with your provider or physical therapist to learn more. Remember, at FYZICAL Corpus Christi, our goal is to help you Love Your Life!

FYZICAL Corpus Christi, Therapy & Balance Center would like to thank Jenny Hart for this guest blog post.