Nutritional Needs and Diet Modifications for SCI Patients

Maintaining a balanced diet is essential for people with spinal cord injuries.

Nutritional needs are more essential than ever for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI). Often diet modifications are required to ensure that you maintain a healthy and balanced diet, one that benefits your mind and body.

While we aren’t health and nutrition experts, in this article, we’ll share valuable insights from the Spinal Injuries Association and the NHS on health and wellness. We’ll also explore why a healthy diet is so important for people with spinal cord injuries.

Read on to also find out more about how Aspire Law is here to support you throughout your journey with SCI.

 

Changes to routine

A spinal cord injury can limit your mobility and therefore affect your typical routine, including your ability to cook for yourself.

Reduced mobility is a challenge within itself, but it can also lead to a range of other complications. This may include a potential decrease in income and more limited access to transportation as, especially initially, you will rely on others more.

All of this can impact your nutrition, affecting not only your capacity to prepare and cook your meals but also to purchase quality ingredients and transport them to your home.

 

More than an injury

People with spinal cord injuries experience so much more than the injury itself. It’s important to acknowledge all of the aspects of their lives that can be affected by it, particularly concerning nutrition and physical activity.

“Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising is important for someone with a spinal cord injury. It affects everything from your bowel movement to body image.” – Karen Biggs, Spinal Injuries Association’s spinal cord injury nurse specialist

 

Why is nutrition important?

Patients with a spinal cord injury can encounter reduced muscle and bone mass, added fat, and much more on their road to recovery. As a result, it’s crucial to maintain a healthy diet so that you can limit these side effects as much as possible.

Remember, people with a spinal cord injury don’t need as many calories as non-disabled people, as a result of their reduced activity levels, as stated by the Spinal Injuries Association. Therefore, focusing on the quality of your diet will be vital for ensuring that your body receives the right nutrition.

 

Eating better

A healthy diet can improve many aspects of your health, both physical and mental, including your self-esteem, bladder and bowel functions, as well as bone and skin health.

We’ve curated some tips to help you on the path to improving your nutrition with relevant diet modifications that are easy to implement and will do you a world of good.

 

Hydration

It is recommended that people should consume between 1.5 litres and 2 litres of fluids a day, unless you have contrary advice from your doctor. As recommended by the NHS, these fluids include water, lower-fat milk and sugar-free drinks, including tea and coffee.

Drinking plenty of fluids helps people avoid health problems such as dehydration, constipation, urinary tract infections and pressure ulcers, according to the Spinal Injuries Association.

 

Protein

The diet of a person with a spinal cord injury should be rich in protein.

Ensuring you consume protein-rich foods such as fish, eggs, nuts and chicken is recommended by the Spinal Injuries Association, due to their benefits of helping our bodies recover from illness and repairing tissue.

 

Fibre

Enabling you to keep on top of bowel management, the Spinal Injuries Association advises eating plenty of fibre, which you can receive from incorporating fruits and vegetables into your diet, as well as carbohydrates including pasta and rice.

 

Diet modifications with Aspire Law

Learning about nutrition is such a great first step to transforming your diet for the better. Even small improvements can make a massive difference when it comes to nutrition. Read more advice from the Spinal Injuries Association and the NHS for verified information.

Of course, with any specific concerns, please get in touch with a medical professional for some tailored advice.

Our specialist team of spinal cord injury lawyers can help you in all aspects of your spinal cord injury journey, including immediate, short-term and long-term assistance, everything from housing needs to compensation claims. Contact us now to find out how we can help you.