Caring can be a full-time job in the truest sense: there are few other jobs where you are “on” 24 hours a day and seven days a week. It is no wonder many carer’s can be exhausted and run down. Studies show that up to 61% of carers report that their own health is affected. Trying to manage a gluten free diet and care for someone else can be an extra stress.

One of the ways that carer’s health can be impacted is nutrition. Sometimes people are so focused on the person they are caring for that there is little time left to take care of themselves. It is not always easy to cook from scratch when you are tired and a healthy diet can go out the window when you are busy looking after someone else. The problem is that not getting enough good nutrition can drop your energy levels and affect your mood, putting you at risk of poor health. Add in coeliac disease and poor nutrition can lead an increased risk of osteoporosis or low levels of B vitamins and iron. We take a look at the top 8 things you can do to ensure you are getting the nutrients you need to keep healthy, maintain your energy levels and look after your mental health as you continue to care.