Why is diet advice important?

Most individuals would admit to needing dietary advice. Today’s life-style means that what we eat is often compromised, leading to poor dietary choices. Society’s poor eating habits have led to a change in disease patterns: no longer is the communicable disease of dominance, but the non-communicable disease has emerged (cardiovascular disease, obesity, cancer, and digestive disorders) which are mainly the result of poor diet and lack of exercise.

There is a strong link between diet, disease and health. The types of diet therapy used by the dietitian can be divided into two categories:

1. Diet used to reduce or prevent symptoms, for example, reducing saturated fat and increasing the use of soluble fibre and stanols and sterols within the diet to treat raised cholesterol levels

2. Diet can be used to promote recovery and repair, such as implementing nutritional support (dietary supplementation) to meet the increased nutritional needs of the client following surgery or conditions where weight-loss is occurring such as in cancer and digestive disorders where food is poorly absorbed by the body.

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Digestive disorders

Diet in disorders of the gastrointestinal tract

Irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, ulcers, constipation, diarrhea, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease and malabsorption can all be assisted by specific dietary regimens.

They are all distressing, and time is required to discuss symptoms and dietary treatment that is personalised to each client.

Web links:
British Colostomy Association
www.bcass.org.uk

Digestive Disorders Foundation
www.digestivedisorders.org.uk

Illeostomy and Internal Pouch Support Group
www.IlleostomyPouch.Demon.co.uk

National Association of Colitis and Crohn’s Disease
http://www.nacc.org.uk/content/home.asp

Oesophageal Patient Association
http://www.opa.org.uk/