Topic 4 DQ 2-3

Please respond to the following post, with your opinion, add citations and references.

Nutrition plays a big part in a patient’s care that is being provided. Eating a well-balanced meal is important in regards to health promotion and helps in leading full and healthy lifestyles. Being knowledgeable regarding prominent noncommunicable diseases and proper dietary recommendations is the first step for nurses to learn to assist their patients in making healthier choices (Grand Canyon University, 2018). It is important for nurses to assist in healthier eating habits to prevent further health problems such as obesity, congestive heart failure, diabetes, and hypertension. Those are the most common health disparities in relation to nutrition today.

Nutritional deficiency and excess play a large role in health disparities. Nutritional deficiency causes a lack of important vitamins that are needed to fuel a patient’s body. Some patient’s may not have access to all food sources that fall in line with the food pyramid that is recommended. Nutritional excess is from overconsumption and that is something that can prevented, unlike nutritional deficiency. It is much easier to get a full meal from the dollar menu at a fast food restaurant that is packed with carbohydrates and sodium, rather than planning out a meal that is good for a patient.

What are some ways that we can help patients in choosing the correct nutrition path for health promotion?

References:
Grand Canyon University (Ed). (2018). Health promotion: Health & wellness across the continuum. Retrieved from https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs429vn/health-promotion-health-and-wellness-across-the-continuum/v1.1/