Important Considerations Before Starting:

• Consult a Professional: Work with a registered dietitian or nutritionist experienced in ALS. They can create a personalized plan based on your specific needs, stage of ALS, swallowing abilities, and preferences.
• Swallowing Difficulties (Dysphagia): This plan assumes no significant swallowing issues initially. If dysphagia is present, modifications to food textures (pureed, soft, thickened liquids) will be NECESSARY and guided by a speech-language pathologist.
• Flexibility is Key: ALS changes over time. Be prepared to adjust the plan as needed.
• Hydration: Remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day. If swallowing is difficult, consult on thickened liquids with your healthcare team.
• Read Labels Carefully: Always double-check ingredient lists to ensure that foods meet your criteria (no soy, no GMOs, no processed foods, no chemical additives).
• Organic Whenever Possible: To minimize exposure to pesticides and GMOs, choose organic options when available and affordable.

General Meal Guidelines:

• Frequency: Aim for 5-6 small meals/snacks per day, spaced 2-3 hours apart.
• Portion Control: Keep portions manageable to avoid overwhelming the patient.
• Preparation: Prepare food in advance to ensure that there are options available at all times.
• Taste: Prioritize foods that the patient enjoys to encourage intake.
• Texture: Modify texture as needed to address swallowing difficulties. This could involve puréeing, mashing, or using thickening agents.

Sample Daily Food Plan:

Meal 1 (Breakfast):

• Option 1: Hemp Seed Smoothie:
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1/2 cup mixed berries (fresh or frozen, organic)
  • 2 tablespoons hemp seeds
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened hemp protein powder (check ingredients for soy-free, GMO-free, additive-free)
  • 1/4 avocado for healthy fats
  • Small piece of fresh ginger (optional, for flavor and anti-inflammatory benefits)
• Option 2: Scrambled Eggs with Avocado & Cauliflower:
  • 2-3 organic eggs scrambled with a little hemp seed oil
  • 1/4 mashed avocado
  • 1/2 cup steamed/lightly cooked cauliflower florets

Meal 2 (Mid-Morning Snack):

• Option 1: Small handful of raw, unsalted pumpkin seeds (good source of zinc)
• Option 2: Apple slices with 1 tablespoon of almond butter (check ingredients for sugar and additives)

Meal 3 (Lunch):

• Option 1: Creamy Cauliflower and Hemp Heart Soup:
  • Pureed soup made with roasted cauliflower, hemp hearts (for creaminess and protein), bone broth (for added nutrients), garlic, and herbs. Seasonings kept simple (sea salt, pepper).
• Option 2: Mashed Sweet Potato with Hemp Nut Topping:
  • 1 medium mashed sweet potato (baked or steamed)
  • Topped with 2 tablespoons of hemp nuts (chopped) and a drizzle of hemp seed oil

Meal 4 (Afternoon Snack):

• Option 1: Sliced pear with 1 ounce of nitrate-free deli turkey (check ingredients!)
• Option 2: Small container of full-fat unsweetened coconut yogurt (ensure no added sugar or artificial ingredients) with 1 tablespoon hemp seeds.

Meal 5 (Dinner):

• Option 1: Baked Salmon with Roasted Cauliflower and Hemp Seed Oil Drizzle
  • 4-6 oz baked wild-caught salmon (excellent source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids)
  • 1 cup roasted cauliflower florets (tossed with olive oil, garlic, sea salt, and pepper)
  • Drizzle of hemp seed oil over both
• Option 2: Chicken and vegetable puree.

Meal 6 (Evening Snack/Before Bed):

• Option 1: Small bowl of bone broth (warm)
• Option 2: A few spoonfuls of avocado pudding (avocado, cocoa powder, a bit of sweetener like stevia or monk fruit - use sparingly, and unsweetened almond milk blended until smooth)

Key Considerations and Substitutions:

• Protein Variation: Choose different protein sources throughout the week to ensure a variety of nutrients.
• Vegetable Variation: Incorporate different non-starchy vegetables like leafy greens, broccoli, and bell peppers.
• Fat Sources: Rotate between hemp seed oil, hemp nuts, avocado, and nut butters.
• Calorie Boosters: If weight loss is a concern, add calorie-dense foods like avocado, nut butter, or coconut cream to meals.
• Supplements: Discuss the use of high-calorie, high-protein supplements with a doctor or dietitian.
• Hydration: Offer water, herbal teas, or diluted fruit juice throughout the day.
• Texture Modification: If swallowing is difficult, pureed meals, mashed potatoes, and thickened liquids may be necessary.
• Monitor: Frequently monitor progress, and change the plan if needed.

Foods to Emphasize:

• Protein: Wild-caught fish (salmon), organic poultry, grass-fed beef (in moderation), hemp protein powder, eggs.
• Healthy Fats: Hemp seed oil, hemp seeds, hemp nuts, avocado, olive oil, coconut oil.
• Copper & Zinc: Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, cocoa powder (unsweetened, in moderation), organ meats (if tolerated and desired - talk to your doctor first).
• Vegetables: Cauliflower, leafy greens, broccoli, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, carrots, berries.
• Other: Bone broth, almond milk (unsweetened), coconut yogurt (unsweetened, full-fat).

 

Disclaimer: This information is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.

Foods to Avoid (Based on Your Criteria):

• Soy: Soybeans, soy milk, soy sauce, tofu, edamame, soy lecithin.
• GMOs: Many processed foods contain GMOs. Choose organic whenever possible.
• Processed Foods: Packaged snacks, fast food, sugary drinks, refined carbohydrates.
• Chemical Additives: Artificial sweeteners, preservatives, artificial colors, MSG.

Important Notes:

• This is a sample plan and needs to be individualized.
• Consult with a registered dietitian or nutritionist for personalized advice.
• Monitor for swallowing difficulties and adjust food textures as needed.
• Pay close attention to food labels to avoid soy, GMOs, processed foods, and chemical additives.
• Choose organic options whenever possible.