Creative Expression Idea

Topic: Nutrition
EQ: What is most important to consider when developing a nutritional care plan?

I want to make a food calendar.  Each month will have a specific fruit or vegetable that is in season.  I also want to put a little note explaining the benefits of eating the fruit/vegetable (as in what kind of vitamins it contains, a factoid, maybe even add a recipe..?)

I think I will use the site, epicurious.com to determine which foods are at its peak season.  It's specific too, because it shows which states have the fruit/vegetable in season.

This relates to my second answer, which is food availability/food justice (title answer still in progress).  Most of the time local/seasonal foods are fresher than their supermarket counterparts.  Dietitians should take this into account to help a patient consume the healthiest produce.  Also, it's probably helpful to know which produce is freshest at the moment.

Interview 4 Questions

1.       What is most important to consider when designing a nutritional care plan?

2.       What parts of the patient's medical history do you need to know before making an assessment?

3.       Are organic foods really worth the money?  (Is it healthier?)

4.       Weight that has been lost often returns.  How do you/what do you do to help a patient maintain their weight?

5.       Do pesticide laden produce have any effect on the nutritional value of the food?

6.       Nutritional care plan: rigid meal outline that needs to be followed daily or could it a shopping list the patient can use for reference?

7.       How can you make a nutritional care plan balanced for groups of people with different needs (like a family or a community)?

8.       What types of patients do you care for?  (For example, if you mainly deal with people who have diabetes, could there be a correlation to the location you work at?)

9.       Most unhealthy foods are the cheapest to buy.  How could a person purchase healthy foods at an affordable price?

10.   What are some techniques to feeling full/satisfied faster?

11.   Could  having a craving your body's way of saying you are lacking a specific nutrient?

12.   Which is recommended: Have a meal whenever you want (even if you're not that hungry)? Have a meal at a certain time? Snack in between meals?

13.   Why does weight fluctuate?

14.   How can you create a nutritional care plan while still being respectful to the community/patient's culture?

15.   Are seasonal/local produce better to eat than produce found in the supermarket? Why?

16.   Which is more effective: following a nutritional profiling system or a nut. care plan? Why?

17.   How long must one follow a nutritional care plan? (Is there a time limit?)

18.   About how much weight could be loss just by eating healthy?  (Is there possibly an average?)

19.   What are some important tips to remember when going grocery shopping?

20.   If someone has been following their nutritional care plan, what are the chances they will maintain their weight afterwards? (I'm assuming you can't be following a plan forever...)

Independent Study 2 Approval

Write a description of what you plan on doing for your second independent study.

I plan on getting the cookbook, Cooking Healthy Across America by American Dietetics Association (ADA).  The goal is to cook a recipe every week or so and document it (notes, pictures, similar to the science journal we did).

How does your independent study 2 relate to your EQ?
One of the main concerns a dietitian will have is the patient's food likes and dislikes.  Oftentimes, dieting is associated with bland, flavorless food.  Eating healthy doesn't have to be boring or a chore.  The cookbook contains recipes that are both delicious and nutritious; you won't feel guilty!

Independent Study 1

Log: January 6 - present

Evidence: This is what I ate today.  Embarrassing.  I feel gross now.

Literal
"I, Zarah S., affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work."

Since January 6, I am almost always consistent with my food diary.  I track all the foods I have eaten.  By the end of the day, I get a detailed report about my calorie, carb, fat, and protein intake.

Interpretive
I input my food intake everyday.  Although it doesn't sound like much work, it also took time to understand the website.  Oh, and I accomplished some of the goals listed on the website.  Since my independent study was just to type up the foods I ate, I think that accomplishing a few Sparkpoint challenges should count for something.

Applied
Using Sparkpeople has made me conscientious of what I eat.  The site has a list of little goals and a points system to help people stay motivated to live a healthy lifestyle.  In regards to my EQ, I think starting with small changes to diet (and getting positive feedback and support) will motivate a patient to continue eating healthily.

ESLR Check

1. I have been an effective learner this year by being more involved with school.  I remind my house about upcoming events during class and even afterwards.  I use my planner often; it helps a lot and I am able to be organized and efficient with my work.
2. Through my senior project, I have learned that I have to be consistent in regards to service learning and interviews.  It is my responsibility to call and email dietitians and other medical folk in order to keep up with my project... Organization is most important when it comes to research checks.  I've been good with that.. I have a folder for it!
3. Next semester... I won't give up.  I will not admit defeat over the academic workload... (Well, it's not like I really did... I just felt like giving up which is something entirely different...) Oh, and next semester I intend to make use of the office hours/ tutoring sessions.  I won't be afraid to ask questions or for help anymore.