Anyone who wants to be healthy has to eat healthy; it’s the way of the world. That being said, of course, eating healthy is not always the easiest thing to do. As a health care leader, you know this to be true firsthand, which is why you especially should embrace our following 5 guidelines for encouraging healthier eating patterns.
Enforce Consistency
When it comes to food and beverages, every choice made matters. That means, when helping your patients establish healthier eating patterns they can benefit from at home, you need to help them learn how to be realistically strict about what they want/need and how much to support a healthy weight, ensure proper nutrient adequacy, and reduce the threat of chronic illness. Consistency is key, both for seeing results, and helping your patients create lasting habits they can carry with them even when not under your staff’s direct care/supervision.
Endorse Variety
When encouraging the development healthy eating patterns, praising variety and diversity is a great way to help your patients learn the importance of choosing different nutrient dense foods from all the food groups to create a “well-balanced” diet. This includes fresh/whole fruit, colorful leafy vegetables, lean proteins, low fat/fat-free dairy, whole grains, and natural oils.
Impose Limitations
If you’re going to ensure the health of your patients, you have to go beyond just telling them what they should eat. Simply by explaining just how dangerous saturated/trans fats, added sugars, and excess sodium are, you can help empower them to make responsible choices all on their own.
Insist Creativity
One of the most important things to remember about helping your patients develop healthier eating patterns is that no one diet is right for everyone. If you want to encourage healthier choices, you have to consider their culture, budget, personal preferences, and all the other factors that are going to hold weight the next time they go food shopping alone. So, instead, ask questions and make suggestions for substitutions and alterations to their favorite meals and recipes to ensure satisfaction without conceding on quality or nutrition.
Demand Equality
As a health care provider you set the example for what proper health looks like, and that means making sure every member of your staff is prepared to work together to support the nutritional needs of your patients. It is every employee’s responsibility to go above and beyond to inspire healthy eating patterns.
For additional assistance positively impacting the health and happiness of your patients, seek advice from our software specialists at Vision Software today. Call 629.777.8989, or fill in the free consultation form in the sidebar, to learn more about how Vision Software can positively impact the lives of the patients and visitors you service every day.