Appetite for Life

About Appetite for Life

Appetite for Life has been developed for use by health and community workers who have direct contact with independent living older people (people over the age of 65). It has five main sections that have been compiled to help health and community workers provide high quality and consistent nutrition advice to enable their clients to improve their nutrition status.

The Appetite for Life manual was first developed in 1999, by the North West Nutrition and Dietetic Service (North West N&DS) and the Community Nutrition Unit (CNU) with funding received from Home and Community Care (HACC). Funding was received to conduct a state-wide nutrition project named 'LIFE' (Living In Full for Ever), to improve the health and nutrition status of community living older Tasmanians. The manual was developed in response to a need expressed by Community Health Nurses throughout Tasmania, to enable them to identify older people 'at risk' of poor nutrition and provide these 'at risk' people with appropriate information.

The Appetite for Life manual was revised in 2002, 2006, 2011 and 2015. The 2006 review was undertaken as part of the Mature Tastes Project, a joint project between the CNU, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and HACC Tasmania. The 2006 revision involved extensive consultation with health professionals and clients who use the manual and incorporated artwork from local TAFE students in order to simplify the messages and language. The CNU was awarded funding for the HACC Nutrition Service in 2008 and the 2011 review was undertaken by the CNU, DHHS and HACC Tasmania. The 2015 revision of the manual was completed by Public Health Services (previously CNU).

The latest revision of Appetite for Life in 2020 was completed again by Public Health Services. This review involved a complete transition from a paper-based manual to an online resource. This review incorporates feedback from users, including CHSP service providers, community nurses and other health professionals.

Copies of the research and background review are available upon request. To request a copy, for any other enquiries, or feedback regarding web publishing, please email [email protected].

Index

Eating well

• Nutrition for older people
• Increasing your fluid intake
• Food safety
• Lean meats and their alternatives
• Alcohol

Practical food ideas

• Shopping and cooking for one
• Handy foods
• Quick and easy meals
• Simple recipes
• Eating on a budget
• Eating well at barbeques and picnics
• Recipe modification

Nourishing food ideas

• Good nutrition for wound healing
• Improving appetite
• High energy and high protein foods
• Nourishing drinks
• Nausea and vomiting
• Taste and smell changes
• What to eat when your mouth is sore

Gastrointestinal upsets

• Diarrhoea
• Low fibre eating
• High fibre eating
• Indigestion, reflux and heartburn
• Preventing constipation

Diabetes and heart disease

• Type 2 diabetes
• Diabetes and sugar
• Hypoglycaemia
• How to gain weight with type 2 diabetes
• Fats and cholesterol
• Giving salt the shake

Other issues

• Anaemia
• High iron foods
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Eating well with dementia
• Eating well with dementia – finger foods
• Osteoporosis
• Medications and food

Physical activity

• How much activity should you do?
• How to be physically active
• What are the benefits of being active?
• Have fun and get active

Key nutrition contacts in Tasmania

The CHSP nutrition service is available to support staff and volunteers working for CHSP-funded services. The team can provide training, advice and resources.

The Nutrition and Dietetics Departments at the major hospitals across the state provide one-on-one nutrition counselling for clients in Tasmania. Outpatient services are available.