Question 1
Average calcium & vitamin D levels in the U.S. are below optimal. What would you, as a dietitian, do to bring awareness to this issue and what recommendations would you make to your clients?
posted by Samantha McCoy @ 7:13 PM
19 comments
19 Comments:
It is true that calcium and vitamin D intake in this country is very low. To me, it seems as though Americans are drinking soda and fruit juices to excess, and forgetting about milk and yogurt. Since I am interested in community nutrition, I think it would be a great idea to have a health fair to increase knowledge of nutrition, focusing on calcium and vitamin D importance. Vital information to include at this health fair would be the importance of intakes of these vitamins and minerals to improve, maintain, and prevent decline in bone health and overall physical performace. A cooking demonstration showcasing a recipe which includes calcium and vitamin D would probably benefit the attendees of the event. As far as recommendations, I would explain to my clients that vitamin D is actually found in very few foods in nature, our bodies produce it when we are exposed to sunlight, and that fortified foods provide most of the vitamin D in this country. I would stress the importance of consuming calcium along with vitamin D for bone health by recommending consumption of low fat and fat free milk and yogurt as well as low fat cheeses. Increased awareness of this topic would definitely benefit Americans' health.
I would let my clients know that there are many ways to increase their intake of calcium and vitamin D. Try to get them to eat foods containing them and worse case there are always supplements. I would have some sort of handout to give to the clients with a section for goals. When I met with them we would fill this out together and let them decide what would be appropriate.
Susan
With the availability of calcium containing products in the United States it is amazing that there are as many people with osteoporosis. I would recommend to my clients to consume more calcium and vitamin D containing products. I would provide a list of high calcium and vitamin D foods that the client can take with them and incorporate into their diet. Stressing the importance of getting at least 10 minutes of sunlight each day is also important to point out.
Susan & Colin-
I think a handout would definitely be a great idea. Telling patients/clients information is totally different from speaking to them AS WELL AS providing a handout.
Brittney,
I like your idea about doing a cooking demonstration. I am sure there are many people who would have no idea how to make their foods higher in Ca and Vit D (other than drinking milk).
One of the first things I would do would be to find out if a client even liked dairy products. If they don't you have an even bigger issue to deal with. If they do like dairy products I would then find out about how much they consume in a day. Most people think of milk as a breakfast food and only have it in the morning. So helping them see that milk can be consumed anytime of the day not just at breakfast. Also point to studies that link consuming at least three glasses of milk a day to weight loss. Educating patients on other foods like yogurt and low fat cheeses would be my point to bring up. If all of these different points don't seem to work for the patient I would recommend a calcium supplement that contained vitamin D.
Colin,
I like your idea of having a list of foods high in calcium available for the client to take with them. There are several other foods that contain calcium besides dairy foods.
Since Calcium and Vitamin D consumption is at a low, I would provide a list of the foods that contain the highest amounts of calcium and Vit D. I would also suggest all the products they are making which are fortified now. One example is orange juice with calcium. This makes it easier for those who aren't as fond of dairy products. There is also a chocolate chewing tablet that contains Calcium that would be a good alternative to get some extra Calcium.
Britt,
Good idea to make sure your clients know about all the fortified Vit D foods and that there are not a whole lot of foods that contain Vit D naturally.
As we continually stress getting vitamins and minerals from food, rather than supplementation, I would recommend to the patient to incorporate more Vitamin D-rich foods in the diet. The focus currently is on fruits and vegetables, but dairy could also be thrown in and included. For example, recommed to a patient to have a salad with greens and cubes of cheese. They could also begin drinking a small 8 ounce glass, or a carton of milk with their lunch meal. This is really a part of painting the "healthy eating" and "geneal wellness" picture, to include foods from all food groups. In doing so, calcium and Vitamin D recommended intakes will be met.
Mere,
I love those chocolate supplements. They are like a little dessert. Good idea to make a list for people to refer to.
Susan
Great ideas everyone! I think a handout would be great or a cooking demonstration.
Tori- I really like your idea of trying to get them to drink more milk throughout the day, not just at breakfast like people typically do and linking that to weight loss might get people to actually do it.
Good thoughts!!
To bring awareness to this issue I would promote adequate calcium intake among women of all ages, especially in the at risk category. I would promote community education classes which focus on how to get and maintain a calcium rich diet. I would also provide written materials, geared to different populations, which inform about the benefits of calcium in the diet.
I would also encourage calcium supplementation in those lacking adequate dietary calcium levels.
Colin,
I agree that with the amount of calcium supplements and products rich in calcium on the market there are lots of items for consumers to choose from when it comes to getting more calcium into the diet.
Myra
I would strongly encourage my patients to consume adequate amounts of milk and other calcium rich foods. I would discuss their regular drinking habits, and if soda pop and/or other calorie dense foods were on the top, I would discuss the health benefits of mild/dairy consumption and stress the consequences of not having adequate calcium/vitamin D in the body. When discussing these dairy choices I would also address the matter of fats in products as well. I would suggest low or non fat options and always give the patient reasons why I am recommending something.
Tori, I think it's a very good thing to find out if the person does like/drink or tolerate dairy products since so many people out there have lactose issues. It would be great to have a handout to give out that included foods other than dairy that are good sources of calcium and vitamin D.
Brittney,
I think it is great that you add the prevention piece. If people realize that they can build up their calcium stores, I think they would increase their calcium intake from either foods or supplements.
I would promote increased intakes of foods high in these viatmins/minerals to whatever population I was working with in a way that was appropriate to them. This would include reasons to increase intake and ways in which to do so.
To those who suggested handouts -
This particular questions leaves me thinking about all of the different settings I have had professional practce experience in. At WIC, we did a class for parents of young children on the importance of ca and vt. D for strong bones and teeth and good food sources. At a hospital, you would take a different approach. At schools, you could create activities and lunch-room promotions of calcium and vt. D containing foods...
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