Tool Kit. Strategies to facilitate eating and swallowing in people living with early-stage dementia

31 1. Maintaining a balanced diet for better cognitive health is important. The Mediterranean diet stands out among the types of diets with solid evidence. Appendix 1 of this document contains a series of foods categorized by their monetary cost to help create a budget-appropriate diet. 2. Increase the calorie density of foods to address weight loss issues. Aim to concentrate more calories in each bite or portion of food to ensure sufficient caloric intake. These can be achieved by 1) increasing consumption of calorie-dense foods and 2) using nutritional supplements prescribed by a healthcare professional. 3. In cases of constipation, it is recommended to favor foods that help alleviate this condition, such as those rich in fiber, including vegetables, grains, probiotic yogurt, and to increase water intake.