Nutrition Education
Nutrition Education
Nutritional counselor or teacher is the description of the health professional involved in education or counseling related to nutrition information and / or aspects that lead to adhesion of a new eating behavior. Nutritional intervention is aimed to disease prevention, protection and promotion of a healthier life, leading to the general welfare of the individual.
The nutritional education or counseling is the process by which students are assisted to select and effectively implement social behaviors of nutrition and lifestyle. The result of this process is to change behavior and not only the improvement of knowledge about nutrition. The desired change in behavior must be specific to the needs and situation of each individual. The student should recognize that the problem exists and there is in fact the desire to change it. Without this inner desire of each individual, all the work of education is useless.
The nutritional counselor/teacher will only facilitate behavioral change. It provides emotional support, helps to identify nutritional problems and lifestyle behaviors suggested to be modified and facilitates the understanding and control of the student. The psychological and cultural needs have more influence on dietary habits than logic. Provide information, educational materials, statistics and scientific research does not necessarily lead to behavioral changes. The key is learning to understand the students and their issues, by the point of knowing the obstacles they face when trying to achieve the objectives in the diet.
The interaction and mutual respect shared between the student and teacher is therapeutic as the information printed on paper. The nutrition educator should empower the student. Empower is to increase the ability to define, analyze and act on their own issues. Having power is not purely behavioral in the sense that people begin to have “good” behavior (how to select foods rich in fiber) rather than “bad” (such as eating too much fat). It is cognitive. Modern nutrition educators help their students with strategies for dealing with issues, new behaviors and new ways of thinking. The educator’s role is to facilitate the process by which the students identify more clearly where they are and help them to find the pros and cons of various options.
My goals with the Nutrition Education are:
- Based on the process (continuous series of interdependent events);
- Directed to the relationship. Explores personal issues;
- Working with thoughts, feelings and behaviors;
- Encourages choices between options;
- Gives motivation and praises;
- Promotes the independence of the student;
- Addresses motivation, denial and resistance. Resolution of issues and barriers that prevent a person from making healthy choices;
- To make adjustments;
- Success measured subjectively (happiness, mood change, movement, relationships, etc.);
Food Education is the healthiest, sane and safe way to maintain/loose weight without suffering. This program does not last a week or a month, but a lifetime.
Proposed Solutions:
- Creation of individual habits and healthier families;
- Pursue negotiations with the family, according to the options;
- Read and get more knowledge about nutrition;
- Practicing in family and social environment, “the game waist” menus to suit your needs;
- Decrease the salt, sugar and fat making lighter substitutions;
- Encourage physical activity.
- Interview and questionnaire analysis;
- Visit to the kitchen and check what are the contents and ways to cook;
- Market visit and shopping;
- Cook together and explanation in how to combine better the types of food;
- Plan for the week/month.
I came across very interesting articles, books and videos.
Some of them are listed below:
