Therapeutic Nutrition - Essay Example

"Therapeutic Nutrition" is a wonderful example of a paper on food and nutrition.
The interview involved a 50-year-old Filipina woman residing in California.

Describe the lifecycle of the person you are to interview.

The life cycle of Jela in her middle adulthood started when she experienced role changes in her life. Accordingly, she is finished with parenting since her children are grown-ups in which two are working while one is almost finished in her college studies. For the past couple of years, she claimed she had spent most of her time intending to her small flower pot garden in their backyard.  Such activity shows a shift from attending to the interest of others to self-interest which is one of the characteristics of middle adulthood.  She also mentioned she is satisfied with what she has right now and wish to enjoy the rest of her life with the role she plays in her community. Furthermore, Jela claimed she had gained weight as evident in her girth measurement, and declined in her physical well-being.

Take a diet history

Jela’s diet history included consuming the minimum amount of fresh fruits and vegetables including protein, a large number of carbohydrates, and drinks enough liquid during her early years. As she reached the adolescent stage however she preferred to eat more junk foods like chippies. Likewise, she is fond of cakes and ice creams. She also drinks alcohol and smokes 3 cigarettes a day. Being an Asian, she maintained consuming more cups of rice and meat. Until today, she eats more than her body needs however she became careful with her diet.

Ask about special diet considerations or restrictions and why?

Jela mentioned she is somehow deprived of some foods she wishes to eat because she is restricted not to consume too much pork and has to be careful on how it is cooked; food seasonings are also restricted and so with preserved foods and the like. She is diagnosed to have hypertension with a blood pressure of 150/100 suggestive she is presenting a sign of one of the middle adulthood health problems.   

How has the eating pattern changed since the person entered this life cycle?

The eating pattern of Jela changed from a non-planned diet to a carefully planned diet. Jela replaced large meals with small meals and make sure to have adequate nutrition.  Although she eats regularly, she became selective of what she now eats to include more vegetables and fruits.

Research Portions and Summary

Considering the life cycle of middle adulthood, it is evident that there are diet considerations at this stage owing to the entrance of health problems that may enter the picture to influence diet. Individuals in this stage are known to be physically inactive and are exposed to mid-life crises making them binge on foods in an effort to get even with their problems. As a result, this stage is vulnerable to the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases, and other health problems (Billings & Stokes, 37). Added to this is their taste capacity of food where they tend to add more salt or sugar in their diet.

Jela is a typical example presenting midlife eating patterns as evident in her change of diet regimen and body built.  Although Stein (3) in her study explained that the eating pattern of an individual has something to do with how she perceives her body, Jela seems to consider more wanting to stay healthier by trying to adjust her nutrition intake. 

Since Jela is experiencing reduced physical vigor and physiological functioning, a balanced diet is recommended. Supplemental vitamins, fiber foods, and water should be considered. Alcoholic beverages and snacks must be abandoned but should be replaced with a more healthy diet regimen to control health problems at this stage. Furthermore, her diet should contain more fatty acids from fish to protect her from the development of cardiovascular disease (Nestel, 1).

Overall, Jela is amenable to the recommended diet. Although it is difficult to establish a new pattern of eating habits during this period, it is observed that Jela is more than willing to improve her nutrition as she believes she is not getting any younger.  In regards to her eating habits, it is evident that Jela enjoys a meal if she knows its nutritional value.  Likewise, she also formed the habit of eating on time and with the right eating attitude.