When dietary changes are just what the doctor ordered
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Texas
Not all medicine comes in pill form. Sometimes doctor's orders involve a trip to the grocery store and not the pharmacy, said a Texas Cooperative Extension nutrition expert.
"As scientists become more aware of the relationship between food choices ... and health, more meal plan changes are being ordered by physicians in an attempt to treat and/or control diseases," said Dr. Mickey Bielamowicz, Extension nutrition specialist and registered dietitian.
For example, she said, a fiber restricted meal plan might be prescribed as a treatment for esophageal, gastric and intestinal disorders, such as Crohn's disease.
"It is very important that people who have Crohn's disease follow a nutritious meal plan and avoid any foods that seem to aggravate the symptoms," Bielamowicz said. "There are no consistent dietary rules to follow that will improve a person's symptoms. That's why it is of utmost importance for dietary advice to be individualized by your doctor and/or dietitian or other reliable sources."
People with these conditions need to avoid foods that might be difficult to digest, including bulky whole grains, certain vegetables, raw fruit with skin, most milk products and highly seasoned foods, hot spices and alcohol, she said.
Foods approved for consumption might include refined grain and cereals, bananas, grapes, applesauce, baked or broiled fish and lean meats.
People who have high blood pressure (hypertension) and other medical conditions might need to reduce their salt intake, Bielamowicz said.
Sodium restricted meal plans might be centered around foods that are naturally low in salt content, such as fruits and vegetables, and fresh meats, and light on such processed foods as pickles, olives, snack chips, and canned meat, fish and soups.
A meal plan designed for those who are lactose intolerant would eliminate many milk products, such as ice cream, pudding, sauces and many breads, she said.
These special needs meal plans can be a literal lifesaver, Bielamowicz said, but they can also be confusing. And that's where nutritional education professionals can help.
Dietitians, Extension food and nutrition specialists, certified diabetes educators and consulting nutritionists can provide information and clarification about special dietary needs, Bielamowicz said.
Working with the patients and their doctors, these professionals can help set up meal plans and answer questions, she said.
"In addition, the local family and consumer sciences Extension agents can provide you with updated resources and fact sheets," Bielamowicz said.
For more information contact an Extension agent or local health department.
Bielamowicz also recommended the following agencies as sources of information:
--Texas Department of Human Services Special Nutrition Programs (www.hhsc.state.tx.us/programs/snp/index.html/); and
--Texas Diabetes Council, Texas Department of State Health Services (www.dshs.state.tx.us/diabetes/) .
The Texas Department of Health has units throughout the state, she added. Visit the Web at http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/ and click on the link to Health Regions.
Date: 3/23/06
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