Healthy Eating
Healthy eating is critical for good health. The nutrition in a healthy diet can:
- increase overall health and energy – prolonging independence;
- prevent or control certain diseases (e.g. diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, tooth decay);
- reduce bone fractures;
- encourage weight loss or maintain a healthy weight.
Choosing a variety of healthy foods in balanced proportions gives the nutrition and hydration the body needs. By balancing what we eat with daily activity, we can improve or maintain good health.
What does healthy eating mean to you?
Healthy Eating Patterns
There is no one-size-fits-all diet that every individual can (or should) follow. Everyone’s body is different, and eating patterns develop throughout a person’s life. Family, culture, social and economic opportunities, and access to food options all influence a person’s choices.
The client’s service plan will have detailed instructions about eating habits, likes and dislikes, nutritional requirements, and diet modifications. As a Home Care Aide, you must also learn about your client as a person. Find out what your client likes and what they are able to eat. Involve them in meal planning and preparation as much as possible, and give them choices.
What foods are especially important to you? Why?
Variety
A healthy diet consists of mostly vegetables, fruit, and whole grains with some healthy fats and proteins.
The Healthy Eating Pyramid
Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health
Many Americans are familiar with “the food pyramid,” which shows examples of foods from each food group. Each layer of the pyramid also shows us how much we should eat from each food group. In this food pyramid, healthy levels of activity are shown as the foundation of healthy eating.
You can think of the “Healthy Eating Pyramid” as a kind of grocery list. Some things, like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy proteins, and a little dairy if desired should be in your shopping cart every week. The foods at the top of the pyramid, such as red meat and white rice, should make up the smallest part of your diet.
What do you usually eat in a week? Are there any food groups you would like to eat more of? Less of? Make a list of your favorite foods from each food group.
Amount
The “Healthy Eating Plate” shows the proportions of food in a healthy, balanced meal.
Rather than viewing one’s food choices as good or bad, it is helpful to see the overall picture of a person’s food intake. For example, enjoying a piece of cake once a week, with the remainder of foods eaten coming from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins is an overall excellent eating plan.
When planning meals, consider the plate as pictured above. Creating a balanced diet starts with at least half of it being filled with fruits and vegetables, and the other half filled with healthy protein and whole grains.
Look at your list of favorite foods in the Healthy Eating Pyramid and plan a healthy meal based on the Healthy Eating Plate above.