What actually one should eat during illness VS what do they eat. Know the Diet therapy!!

 

Awareness about our health condition is important .We always talk about nutrition and its importance but practically how much it is followed by   each individual, in  day to day life  or at time of illness  is a matter of concern. here are so many therapies available like physio therapy, psychotherapy, but most important is nutrition therapy 

 All know that one should eat good food but how, what type of foods, how much quantity ??? just would like to focus…. There are recommended dietary allowance for each normal person and nutrition therapy for diseased condition  and during recovery. still we are not able to fulfill as prescribed. we did one comparative exploratory research to know what is being eaten in times of illness. and  To assess nutritional status of patients during illness  and correlate with Medical Nutrition Therapy. Even try  finding  out factors affecting patient’s nutritional intake . The purpose of the study was to check if the admitted patient intake of food  eaten by them as served according to  clinical condition.

Out of 31 patients  taken into consideration, 13 patients were male while 10 were female.5 were on fasting for medical procedure, three were only on clear liquids .

The Average intake of energy amongst male was found out to be 1165kcal while the average protein intake for male was 29.6gm.

( RDA for men is 54gm for 65 kg body weight, during illness it increases)

 CHO intake for male was 136 gm while RDA for men is 130gm for 65kg body weight

(during illness intake gets altered)

The average Fat intake for male was 44.5gm.

The Average intake of energy for female was found to be 1115kcal.

The average protein intake for female was 29.3 gm while RDA for female is 45gm for 55kg weight.

The average CHO intake for female was 152 gm while RDA for female is 130gm for 55kg weight.

The average Fat intake for female was 30.8gm.

But during illness as per clinical condition ,  intake of Macro and micro nutrients get altered we need to modify.

From above graph it is evident there is huge gap between Calories required and calories intake. Proteins and carbohydrates, the two main macros couldn’t meet the demand of body needed during chemo. Minimally fats did not reach the demand of body. 

The cardiac patient was seen to be having lower intake of calories and proteins than needed for the body. The intake of carbohydrates and fats were slightly lower than the Medical Nutrition Therapy planned for the patients.

The renal patient’s intake was seen to be very low in terms of all the macros considered. Vast difference was seen in calories, proteins and fats. 

Overview Very interesting, it is being found out that we don’t even reach 60 percent of the Indian standards. isn’t it really shocking as if nutrition demand is not fulfilled than how one can speed up recovery. From the above data collected, it is noted that the intake of macronutrients &micro  amongst the patients were not meeting their Medical Nutrition Therapy.

On observing the patient’s plate waste various factors affecting their lower intake than needed were as :

Post-operative patients suffered from fatigue and weakness, while few were drowsy which indirectly had an effect on their eating pattern.

·        Majority of the patients suffered from immense pain due to their health condition which kept them bay from eating and preferred to be in resting position most hours.

·        Chemo patients’ tasting palate was affected due to heavy medication which showed rejection towards eating majority of food.

·        Most of the patients were in horizontal sleeping position for longer hours with minimal physical activity like walking leading to acidity and flatulence, which made them difficult to consume meal adequately.

·         The hospital environment had major physiological effect on patients which affected their mood and made them restless to be back home, which had indirect effect on their consumption of food.

Conclusion: Nourishing the  body during illness  is a commitment — not a passing fling — so carefully plan  what type of Medical nutrition therapy  doable to as per clinical condition  then try to adhere to it in the healthiest way possible. That means something different to everyone, so just do yours.

Reference:   https://www.nin.res.in/RDA_short_Report_2020.html

https://www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/what-science-says-about-best-way-eat-what-we-re-ncna1104911

https://www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/what-science-says-about-best-way-eat-what-we-re-ncna1104911#anchor-YoudoyouAhealthydietdoesntlookthesameforeveryone

By: Ushakiran Sisodia R.D Msc Gold medallist, PGDBM ,CDE; A.N Radha winner (Best Practicing dietician three consecutive years )

Neha Sawant M.sc Food processing and preservation Assistant Manager Nutrition and dietetics

Sanjana Rao M.sc Dietetics and applied nutrition (MNT)

Shruti Nair M.sc Dietetics and applied nutrition (Pediatric)