beyond food: the impacts of changing diet by Morrgan Zmolek
Living with a chronic illness or the after effects of an emergency event like a heart attack is difficult enough, but the changes in diet that come with it are another added challenge. For those who need to change their diet due to chronic illness or emergency events, that shift in how they eat can pose challenges from a number of angles. First, how the patient is approached about the change can be a challenge. In the midst of an unexpected diagnosis, which in itself is overwhelming and scary, adding more information about diet on top of that can be a lot to handle. Maren Wolff, a registered dietitian nutritionist and clinical assistant professor at Iowa State, said that how the subject is approached is important. A plethora of science and literature exists concerning the benefits of a healthier diet. Everyone has likely heard it — more fruits and vegetables, whole grains and leaner meats tend to have better health outcomes in those who have diets rich in those foods. Not only that, but quality of life can be affected as well. Wolff highlighted the importance of quality of life in health and nutrition — it’s not just about the numbers — it’s also about how someone feels in their body. That’s where registered dietitian nutritionists — like Wolff — come in. Dietitians can be trained to conduct a variety of work in multiple different settings, like hospitals, private practice, community and public health, sports nutrition, public policy, schools, food service management and beyond. Wherever they work, the goal is always the same.
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