Importance of Diet

• Feb 14
• Diet & Nutrition

There has been a huge increase in incidence of lifestyle diseases in the last decade in India and worldwide. Coronary artery disease (CAD), ischemic stroke, diabetes, and some specific cancers, which until recently were common only in high-income countries, are now becoming the dominant sources of morbidity and mortality worldwide (WHO 2002).

Reducing the identified, modifiable dietary and lifestyle risk factor could prevent most cases of coronary artery diseases, Diabetes and many cancers. Preventive Nutrition helps us in a long way in preventing or delaying the onset or reducing the complications of diseases.

There is a big role for Dietitians to play in imparting and spreading the knowledge of preventive nutrition to reduce the incidences of Non communicable diseases (NCDs), which include a balanced diet, increased physical activities and stress management.Unfortunately, Dietitians are mostly associated with only weight loss diets!!Weight loss and management is just a part of Dietetics but there is much more that a Dietitian does than suggesting weight loss. The field of Dietetics is concerned with prescription of diet for cardiac, liver, renal, gastro intestinal, neurological, endochrinological and many more disease. A good nutritional status helps in better outcome of patients who undergo surgery.

A qualified Dietitian helps in educating the people  to take an informed decision to choose the right kind of food for their health status.For example,A Diabetic would not necessarily have to avoid all the fruits,but he or she should be educated about the portion  and the timing ,so that a he or she  can make choice of what and how much to eat and how to keep his blood sugar levels under control.There are many myths regarding diet and one must understand the right science and proven facts rather than falling prey to false beliefs.A qualified Dietitian helps in suggesting a nutritious diet while considering the medical history,diet history,work pattern,living environment.In addition to these factors,she also considers affordability and other practical aspects while counselling a person.

One can delay or prevent the onset of diseases by making the right choice today!!