NPs have the opportunity to provide a wealth of dietary information to patients and their families that could make an enormous impact on their health and well-being. Obesity is at an all-time high, and strategies to help with weight control are desperately needed. To prevent and lower obesity levels in families, healthy dietary habits need to be encouraged. Encouraging families to include protein at breakfast and with snacks is 1 way to help promote satiety and weight control. Providers need to encourage healthy sources of protein. Low-fat protein sources that are baked, grilled, or stewed are considered healthier because they provide less excess calories.
All age groups will benefit by ensuring that they have an essential amount of protein in their diet. As noted in the fact sheets, it is important that each age group has a diet that contains an ideal amount of protein. It is essential that middle-aged and elderly adults do everything they can to prevent sarcopenia and osteoporosis by including optimal intakes of protein at every meal, remaining physically active, and incorporating sources of calcium and vitamin D.
As busy health providers, it is important to work with health team members. Registered dietitians have resources available to use as tools that provide nutritional guidance. Resources in the area of dietary recommendations are an excellent way to provide patients with the information they need to make lifestyle changes that could promote and enhance their lives.