If you are in a wheelchair you need to pay extra attention to your diet to prevent constipation and keep your body healthy. With less physical activity, you burn off fewer calories so you may gain weight or your muscles may be replaced with fat.
Too much weight can add stress on your heart and may make weight shifts and transfers from your chair more difficult. This can cause your skin to breakdown or you may get pressure ulcers. One thing that you can do to reduce some of these risks is to maintain a healthy diet.
Here is how you reduce your risk:
Constipation
Make sure you are getting enough fibre - fruit, vegetables and whole grain products are best. Remember to also drink enough fluid as fibre alone can make your constipation worse.
Pressure ulcers and lean body mass (muscles)
Ensure that you get enough low fat proteins. Beans are a good substitute for meat, and provide fibre as well.
Weight gain
Take in fewer calories by sticking to low fat food and drinks.
