Question

Referencing the ADA recommendations, analyze and discuss the significant changes a newly diagnosed diabetic would have to make in regards to diet and nutrition. Also, explain which change would be hardest for you to personally make and why.

Answer 1

American diabetes association is a non profit health organization that educates masses about diabetes and funds researches to help those who are affected.

A newly diagnosed diabetic would have to undergo many changes in his diet and nutrition. ADA recommends -

1. WEIGHT MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN SET AS A PRIORITY-

✓ Focus must be on controlling portion sizes and having fixed meal times.

✓ Physical activity must be included in lifestyle.ADA recommends 30-60 minutes of physical activity at least for 5 day per week.

✓Focus must be on chronic lifestyle interventions and not on quick fixes.

2.DIET MUST BE WHOLESOME

✓Emphasis is on comsumption of nutrient dense and wholesome foods.Patient must include fruits, salads, broccoli, green vegetables in diet.

✓ ADA recommends nutrient less and processed food rich diets are to be avoided. It includes white breads, pasta, sugars and all other junk foods

✓ ADA has also acknowledged the role of family in long term behavioural changes in nutritional habits.It suggests a FAMILY CENTRIC lifestyle modification.

✓ instead of taking one size fits all approach, ADA suggests culturally acceptable nutritional diets.

3.Incidence shows that there are 5000 new cases of type 2 diabetes in US every year.Majority of these patients have comorbidities like obesity and hypertension.

✓ hence, a comprehensive modification in lifestyle has been advised , including healthy diets and physical activity along with behavioural changes in eating habits.

The change that would be hardest to make would be the behavioral changes required. The patient would have to adopt a new perspective about food and eating habits. Since, new behaviours take a long time to form and bad habits are difficult to break, it would be the mental shift that would be a difficulty.