Special Food Issues << Staying Active and Eating Healthy << womenshealth.gov

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Special Food Issues

This section is for people who limit the types of foods that they eat. This could be because of a medical condition, such as food allergy or lactose intolerance. Or it could be because of a desire to follow a vegetarian eating plan.

If you think you have a medical condition involving food, we'll give you tips for helping you find out what kind of problem you have and what to do about it. And if you want to follow a vegetarian eating plan, we'll give you tips for getting all the nutrients your body needs.

Additional Resources

Publications

Eat Right to Feel Right on Hemodialysis - This publication explains what foods should be avoided and what vitamins will benefit someone on hemodialysis. It explains hemodialysis-related phrases, such a dry weight, and offers a checklist to use when preparing to speak with a dietitian.

http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/eatright/index.htm

Eating Hints for Cancer Patients: Before, During, and After Treatment - The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has prepared this booklet to help you learn about your diet needs during treatment and to help you cope with side effects that may affect eating. It is designed for cancer patients and their families and other caregivers.

http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/eatinghints

Food Don'ts for Pregnant Women: Print and Go Guide - This fact sheet discusses listeria, mercury, and toxoplasma - three dangers that can be lurking in the food pregnant women eat. It lists tips for the safe handling of food and other steps you can take to avoid these dangers.

http://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/tools/fooddonts.cfm

Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Across Your Lifespan: Young at Heart: Tips for Older Adults - This booklet contains tips for older adults on eating healthy, getting active and losing weight.

http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/young_heart.htm

MyPyramid for Pregnancy & Breastfeeding - When you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you have special nutritional needs. This section of MyPyramid.gov is designed just for you. It has advice you need to help you and your baby stay healthy.

http://www.mypyramid.gov/mypyramidmoms/index.html

Patient Information Sheet #9, Nutrition and Lupus - This patient information sheet is part of sixteen reproducible sheets available in the guide "Lupus: A Patient Care Guide for Nurses and Other Health Professionals." These sheets cover a range of topics about lupus and lupus medications and can help with this aspect of patient care.

http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/lupus/lupusguide/chppis9.htm

What I Need to Know about Eating and Diabetes - This publication reviews diabetes nutrition basics, including what, when, and how much a person with diabetes should eat. It discusses healthier ways to buy, cook, and eat foods to achieve good blood glucose control.

http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/eating_ez/index.htm

Eating During Pregnancy (Copyright © Nemours Foundation) - This publication explains the importance of eating well during pregnancy. It lists the different nutrients that are necessary and the foods that provide them. It also discusses food cravings and the foods and beverages that should be avoided during pregnancy.

http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/nutrition/eating_pregnancy.html

Healthy Eating During Pregnancy (Copyright © IFIC) - This brochure contains information about how to maintain a healthy eating habit throughout pregnancy. You will find information about calories and nutrient concerns, a food guide pyramid, answers to questions about vitamin and mineral supplements, morning sickness and information about food safety related issues.

http://ific.org/publications/brochures/pregnancybroch.cfm

Menopause: Staying Healthy Through Good Nutrition (Copyright © The Cleveland Clinic) - This publication gives some basic dietary guidelines for eating during menopause. It also discusses foods and dietary supplements you can take to reduce your symptoms and what foods to avoid.

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/3000/3042.asp?index=10105

Nutrition and Weight Maintenance (Copyright © Project Inform) - This fact sheet explains how HIV patients can prevent wasting syndrome by eating properly and maintaining their weight. It includes information on nutritional supplement, appetite stimulants, and safe food preparation.

http://www.projectinform.org/info/nutrition/index.shtml

Organizations

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated June 17, 2008.