Nutrition
in
Nursing
Steps to a healthier patient
Overview of Nutrients
 Proteins (macronutrients)-required for proper growth &
development; composed of amino acids.
 Adult recommended daily allowance (RDA) -0.8
grams/kg/day, 10% total calories
 Additional protein needed for infants, children, and
pregnant or lactating women.
 Insufficient amounts can lead to protein energy
malnutrition- i.e. atrophy and wasting away of muscle &
poor wound healing.
Overview of Nutrients
 Carbohydrates-macronutrients: include starches, sugars
(fructose, glucose, lactose, sucrose), and cellulose
 4 calories/gram; are key source of energy.
 Found in fruits, vegtables, milk, and grains
 Promotes normal metabolism, including fat metabolism
 Spares protein
 Insufficient amount results for protein and fat being used
up.
Overview of Nutrients
 Fats (macronutrients): Concentrated sources of energy,
provides 9 calaries/gram
 Needed for proper absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
 Stored in body to maintain body warmth and cushion or
protect internal organs.
 Sources include animal products-i.e., egg yolk, organ
meat, butter, cheese, various oils.
 The cholesterol content determine if the fat is- saturated,
monounsaturated, or polyunsaturated.
 The more solid the fat the higher the saturated fat.
 Leads to obesity, heart disease, and some cancers if
taken in large amounts over a long period of time.
 Insufficient intake can result in ↑ risk infection, skin lesions,
amenorrhea, and cold sensitivity (no fat stores).
Overview of Nutrients
 Minerals (micronutrients): Part of the bones, cells, and
hormones.
 Enhances cellular function
 Widely abundant in foods.
 Major minerals-calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium,
chloride, and phosphorus.
 Trace elements-iron, iodine, copper, zinc, selenium,
manganese, flouride, chromium, and molybdenum.
 Mineral intake can also be supplemented-usually as a
multivitamin.
Overview of Nutrients
 Vitamins (micronutrients): classified as water soluble (B
and C vitamins)-easily excreted from the body or fat
soluble (vitamins A, D, E, K)-which can be stored and
cause toxicity if taken to excess.
 Used as catalysts of body functions, coenzymes in
metabolic processed, for growth, collagen production,
wound healing, hormone synthesis, and vision.
 Can be obtained through diet alone or
supplementation.
 Depends on the supplement- for example: Folic acid-is
found in orange juice, meat, leafy green vegtables-If
there is a deficiency it can cause nutritional anemia or
neural tube defects in unborn chidren.
The Food Pyramid
Steps to a healthier you
GRAINS
VEGETABLES
FRUITS
OILS
MILK
MEAT & BEANS
Grains
Make half of your grains whole
 List a few examples of grains that are plentiful in your
area.
 Discuss how much children should eat every day and
when they might have them.
 Together, research and discuss the health benefits of
grains.
 Encourage children to list foods that they like from this
food group.
Vegetables
Vary your veggies
 List a few examples of vegetables that are plentiful in
your area.
 Discuss how much children should eat every day and
when they might have them.
 Together, research and discuss the health benefits of
vegetables.
 Encourage children to list foods that they like from this
food group.
Fruits
Focus on fruits
 List a few examples of fruits that are plentiful in your
area.
 Discuss how much children should eat every day and
when they might have them.
 Together, research and discuss the health benefits of
fruits.
 Encourage children to list foods that they like from this
food group.
Oils
Know your fats
 List a few examples of oils and fats.
 Discuss how much children should eat daily and what
foods contain oils and fats.
 Together, research and discuss the health benefits
associated with the different kinds of oils and fats.
 Encourage children to list foods that they like from this
food group.
Milk
Get your calcium rich foods
 List a few examples of milk products.
 Discuss how much children should eat daily and when
they might have them.
 Together, research and discuss the health benefits of
milk products.
 Encourage children to list foods that they like from this
food group.
Meat and Beans
Go lean on protein
 List a few examples of meat and bean products that are
plentiful in your area.
 Discuss how much children should eat daily and when
they might have them.
 Together, research and discuss the health benefits of
meat and beans.
 Encourage children to list foods that they like from this
food group.
Discretionary Calories
Extras for luxury foods
 What are discretionary calories?
 Discuss how many discretionary calories children should
eat every day.
 Solicit class feedback for examples of ways to use
discretionary calories.
Physical Activity
Strive for 60 minutes or more per day
 What is physical activity?
 Discuss moderate vs. vigorous activity.
 Solicit class feedback for examples of moderate and
vigorous activities.
Eat Well and Stay Healthy!
 Encourage children to use the MyPyramid Worksheet,
for a week, and to eat their favorite foods in each group
to meet their daily requirements.
 Download the worksheet here: MyPyramid Worksheet.
 Discuss their findings at the end of the week.
 How might each child eat more healthfully?
Conclusion
 Summarize the health benefits of each food group.
 Encourage children to do research on any new finding
about food and health.
 Encourage children to continue keeping a food diary.
 Encourage children to strive for 60 minutes or more of
physical activity every day.
 Ask your school nurse or doctor to visit the class to share
facts about food and health on an ongoing basis.