Question

In this initial entry into your Nurse E-Portfolio for this course, you have opportunities for reflective practice. In this entry you will focus on your understanding and awareness of nutrition. Using the e-portfolio format, answer the following questions. Make sure you spend some time thinking about the answers to these questions before writing.

1. Think about your own nutrition and diet. If you were asked to give yourself a rating from 1 to 5, with 5 representing the most "healthy eater," what number would you give yourself?
2. If your rating was 4 -5, what are you eating and doing with regard to your nutrition that reflects this rating? What do/can you do to ensure you will continue to do these things even if you have limited time or are stressed?
3. If your rating was 3 or below, what two changes might you make in your eating patterns to improve your nutrition and diet?

Submit your completed assignment by following the directions linked below. Please check the Course Calendar for specific due dates.

Answer 1

1. ANS: Honestly I would give myself a rating of 3 after thinking about my own diet and nutrient supplements. My diet was mainly determined by the food contained factors like flavor, texture and smell. For example, I cannot bear to eat mushrooms because they can contain a bland flavor and slimy texture. The smell of muskmelon/ cantaloupe can drives me crazy to the point of gagging and within my diet I make some very unhealthy choices like taking high fat content foods, drinking pop, eating too much sugar and frequently taking foods high in sodium. I also smoke socially and am on medication for ADD which both contributes to a loss of appetite. Taking Caffeine is one of my weaknesses which can be addicting to the body and large amounts can be unhealthy. However, I do have healthy habits as well such as eating vegetables and fruit, drinking lots of milk and water.

2. ANS: I am not present in between 4-5 rating, but when I'm dealing with limited amounts of time and resources at first I will understand the meal preparation struggle. I believe it would be wise of me to meal plan and possibly work out quick menus I can prepare and leave in a Crockpot style cooker to aid in meal preparation.  

3. ANS: For improving my diet at first I will cut down high sodium, fat foods and simultaneously increase the intake of vitamins and electrolytes contain foods. In my diet I will increase using pre-biotics and these can improve healthy bacterial growth environment in my intestine and the up taken pre-biotics can improve normal laxation process, mineral absorption and immune function. I already enjoy eating artichokes, asparagus, garlic and onions which are all are oligosaccharides containing pre-biotics. A healthier eating pattern in my diet can promote and control depression, stress and anxiety. The medications since these factors are all known to have symptoms that influence your hunger and problems with gastrointestinal functioning.

Reference:

Schlenker, E., & Gilbert, J. (2014). Williams' Essentials of Nutrition and DIet Therapy, 11th Edition. Retrieved from https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780323185806