Nutrient-Dense Foods to Help Improve Quality of Life for Patients with Chronic Disease

Proper nutrition is especially important for patients managing chronic ailments. That’s because poor nutrition can aggravate symptoms, making the condition worse and even reducing longevity. If you have a chronic illness or are caring for a loved one with the condition and would like to discover more ideal food choices, our compounding pharmacy has broken it down for you. So what foods are good for chronic disease? Let’s find out.

Beans and vegetables – great for diabetes

What foods can diabetics eat freely? Our compounding pharmacy has these top food suggestions for you: 

• Beans- We’re talking black, navy, pinto, and kidney beans here
• Dark leafy vegetables- Consider kale, collards, and spinach
• Citrus fruit- These cover limes, lemons, oranges, etc.

The great thing about beans is that they are considered a diabetes super food. In other words, they have a low glycemic index (GI), which means they cause slow changes in blood sugar levels as your body processes this much slower compared to other foods. 

On the other hand, dark leafy vegetables such as spinach are extremely diabetic-friendly, while they also pack a great amount of fiber, which helps keep blood sugar in check. Additionally, other vegetables such as kale and collards prove to be amazing sources of iron, calcium, and a range of essential vitamins. 

Shredded wheat & whole grain bread- cancer superfoods

For patients battling cancer, we also have plenty of recommendations to try out. So what foods help with cancer recovery? Our pharmacy and compounding experts suggest prioritizing foods rich in fiber. That covers cereals and whole-grain breads, with some specific options including: 

• Shredded wheat- this is by far one of the healthiest, fiber-denser cereals
• Oat bread
• 100% sprouted rye bread

Generally, phytochemical-imbued plant foods seem to be excellent meal options for patients with this chronic disease. 

Additionally, cancer patients can sometimes struggle with a loss of appetite, typically inflicted by tumor-sourced hormones. If that’s the case, the food for cancer patients with no appetite that we recommend includes hard-boiled eggs, granola bars, cheese, and peanut butter. Sure, we are aware some of these are high-cholesterol options, but the patient should be just fine when these are just implored to kick start an appetite.

 Fatty fish and pumpkin- ideal for high BP

Persons living with high blood pressure have to be picky with their meal plans. If you’re keen to uncover the foods that are good for high blood pressure, our compounding pharmacy suggests the following food options: 

• Pumpkin seeds- don’t let their size fool you. As nutrient-dense foods are concerned, these pack quite a punch. They are great sources of arginine, potassium, and magnesium
• Fatty fish- Omega 3s have proven benefits when it comes to high blood pressure, and fatty fish are a great source of this nutrient. In particular, we highly recommend salmon
• Lentils and beans- Studies have also shown that these nutrient-rich food options also come in handy for managing hypertension 

Add these to your meal plan to create a heart-healthy diet if you or a loved one is living with high BP. 

Nuts and oats- the answer to high cholesterol 

There are a ton of options at your disposal in terms of good foods for high cholesterol. Some work to get ahead of the problem by binding cholesterol before it makes its way into your bloodstream. Others, however, achieve the same results by inhibiting cholesterol absorption. 

So what are the best foods to fight high cholesterol? Here’s our pick of the bunch: 

• Nuts- it’s a poorly kept secret that peanuts, almonds, and various other types of nuts are heart-healthy. Additionally, these nuts also help with high cholesterol while also proving an excellent source of minerals, vitamins, fat, and protein. 
• Oats- a bowl of oat a day goes a long way. It’s an awesome breakfast option for high-cholesterol patients, more so due to it being a source of soluble fiber 
• Eggplant- Is eggplant good for high cholesterol? You bet. It contains certain chemicals called saponins that elevate levels of the good kind of cholesterol while suppressing overall cholesterol concentration levels.

Okra is one more solid food option to have on the table, as, like the eggplant, it’s yet another solid low-calorie, cholesterol-countering vegetable. 

Healthy fats & Lean Protein-  for CAD

Coronary artery disease is one of the most common chronic heart illnesses, with the CDC estimating that slightly over 7% of the population is affected by CAD. If you have this condition or are caring for a loved one who does, we recommend the following nutrient-dense foods in particular: 

• Healthy fats- not all fat is bad for you. Healthy fats, in moderation, can reduce the likelihood of stroke and heart attack, while regulating cholesterol levels. Some great options you have here include avocados, olive oil, flaxseed, and low-fat/fat-free milk. 
• Lean protein- This category covers skinless poultry, lean ground meats, eggs, soybeans, and peas. These are not just great for heart health but can also improve metabolism and brain functioning. 
• Brown rice- Whole grains like brown rice and whole-grain pasta can also negate some of the symptoms of CAD while also contributing positively to blood pressure and cholesterol levels. 

Berries, garlic & green tea- arthritis superfoods

Keen on cracking what foods to eat to improve arthritis? Berries should be at the very top of your list. Its antioxidant properties have been documented for quite a while now, but studies have also that these fruits can be particularly effective for: 

• Knee osteoarthritis 
• Gait
• Stiffness and pain 

Besides antioxidants, berries also make a strong case for one of the most nutrient-dense foods ever, thanks to their combination of minerals and vitamins as well. Green tea, garlic, and onions, meanwhile, are also nutritious and contain anti-inflammatory elements that can provide relief for arthritis. 

Don’t forget your apples!

An apple a day truly does keep the doctor away. These ancient fruits responsible for ground-breaking scientific revelations are imbued with important micronutrients that many people commonly suffer deficiencies from. Additionally, apples can bolster your immune system and help in the management of several chronic illnesses. That being said, you may need to work with a nutritionist to figure out your best food choices, depending on the chronic condition in question.