A nutrition education program ought to include a nutritional needs assessment, education counseling, and referral as necessary.
Educational sessions and materials ought to include the following information –
• The relationship of nutrition and chronic conditions
• Improving eating patterns
• Relationship of nutrition and proper weight maintenance
• Exercise
• Stress
• Blood pressure (BP)
• Cholesterol
• Diabetes and other chronic illnesss.
• Nutritionally exact information regarding the relationship of health to diet, including cholesterol, fats, fiber, alcohol, carbohydrates, salt, sugar, and vitamin/mineral supplementation.
Methods for identifying healthier foods and incorporating low-calorie, high nutrient foods into eating habits. Guidelines for improving eating habits ought to be based on or in line with national recommendations like the Food Guide Pyramid.
Instructor ought to be a registered dietitian, registered nurse, or have a baccalaureate degree or higher in health education with training in nutrition.
If an allied health specialist instructs the program, a consultation and review of the program design by a registered dietitian is recommended.
