Health Conditions

High blood pressure (hypertension)

Sodium intake, body weight, alcohol intake, potassium-rich foods, activity, sleep, stress, and genetics can influence blood pressure.

More vegetables, fruit, beans, lentils, wholegrains, fish, unsalted nuts, and minimally processed foods; use herbs, spices, garlic, ginger, citrus, vinegar, and chilli for flavour.

Reduce frequent high-sodium choices such as instant noodles, processed meat, salty snacks, preserved foods, soups, stock powders, and sauces. Do not stop blood-pressure medication without a clinician’s advice.

Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes

Carbohydrate amount and quality, fibre, portion size, body weight, physical activity, sleep, stress, and genetics all affect blood-glucose management.

Higher-fibre carbohydrates, vegetables, legumes, fruit in suitable portions, fish, tofu, eggs, lean protein, and unsweetened drinks; pair carbohydrates with protein and vegetables.

Reduce sugary drinks and large portions of refined grains. People using insulin or glucose-lowering medicines need individual advice to prevent low blood sugar.

High cholesterol

Diet can influence blood lipids, especially the type of fat consumed and the amount of soluble fibre eaten. Genetics also play a major role for some people.

Oats, barley, beans, lentils, vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, fish, tofu, and unsaturated plant oils such as olive, canola, soybean, or peanut oil.

Replace rather than simply add fats: reduce fatty meats, butter, pastries, deep-fried foods, and foods with industrial trans fats. Medication may still be necessary.

Heart disease

Heart health is shaped by nutrition, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, physical activity, smoking, sleep, stress, and family history.

A pattern rich in vegetables, fruit, wholegrains, legumes, fish, nuts, seeds, and minimally processed foods; choose healthier fats and limit sodium.

A heart-healthy diet supports treatment but does not replace prescribed cardiac medication, rehabilitation, or regular clinical review. [heart]

Stroke prevention and recovery

Stroke risk is closely connected with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, alcohol use, physical inactivity, and heart rhythm conditions.

Lower-sodium meals; vegetables, fruit, legumes, wholegrains, fish, and healthier fats; appropriate hydration and meal structure.

Stroke symptoms need urgent medical care. After a stroke, swallowing difficulty, reduced appetite, weakness, and medicine interactions may require a dietitian, doctor, speech therapist, or rehabilitation team.

Overweight and obesity

Weight change reflects many factors: food intake, physical activity, sleep, stress, medication, metabolism, medical conditions, and social environment.

Regular meals based on vegetables, fruit, fibre-rich carbohydrates, protein foods, water, and minimally processed foods; sustainable portion awareness.

Avoid extreme diets and shame-based messages. A realistic, gradual plan is more sustainable; medical assessment may be appropriate where weight is affecting health.

Fatty liver disease

Excess energy intake, weight gain, insulin resistance, diabetes, high triglycerides, alcohol, and genetics can contribute to liver-fat accumulation.

Vegetables, fruit, legumes, wholegrains, lean proteins, fish, unsaturated fats, and fewer sugar-sweetened drinks and heavily processed foods.

Medical follow-up is important. Alcohol advice must be individualised, especially where liver disease is present.

Kidney disease

Kidneys regulate fluids, electrolytes, and waste products, so protein, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and fluid needs can change with disease stage and treatment.

Individualised meal planning with medical and dietetic guidance. Sodium reduction is often helpful, but other nutrient targets vary greatly.

Do not follow generic high-protein, high-potassium, electrolyte, or supplement advice without speaking to a renal healthcare professional.

Digestive health

Fibre, fluid intake, meal patterns, food intolerance, stress, gut microbiota, and medical conditions can affect digestion.

A gradual increase in fibre from vegetables, fruit, wholegrains, beans, and seeds, with adequate fluids; fermented foods may suit some people.

Symptoms such as blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, persistent vomiting, severe pain, or major bowel changes require medical assessment.

Bone health and healthy ageing

Bone and muscle health depend on adequate protein, calcium, vitamin D, physical activity, resistance exercise, hormonal factors, age, and some medicines.

Protein at regular meals; calcium-rich foods or suitable alternatives; vitamin-D sources; vegetables, fruit, and resistance or weight-bearing activity.

Supplements may be useful for some people but should be based on dietary intake, test results, risk factors, and professional advice.