Diet therapy is a broad term for the alteration or adoption of a diet to prevent or treat a disease or to simply promote optimum health. In some cases, an alternative dietary lifestyle plan may be developed to eliminate certain foods to reclaim health.
Today's major health care problems are increasingly the result of acute and chronic conditions related to poor nutrition and/or overconsumption. A large proportion of coronary disease and cancer can be attributed to unhealthy eating habits and obesity. Chronic diseases continue to increase due to such factors as the rise in obesity in the American population.
Diet therapy promotes a balanced selection of foods vital for good health. By combining foods appropriate for each individual and drinking enough water, one can help maintain the best possible health.
A guide to the amount an average person needs to remain healthy has been determined for each vitamin and mineral as well as macronutrients. In the United States, this guide is called the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI). Dietary counselors may use the DRI as a guide when providing counseling. A dietitian can advise the patient about any vitamin or mineral inadequacy concerns during the dietary counseling session.
The macrobiotic diet consists of largely vegetables, whole grains, fruits, and cereals. Some people following a macrobiotic diet have reported improvements in cancer and its symptoms, but well-designed studies have not shown this. Risks of a macrobiotic diet include unintended weight loss and sometimes inadequate intake of certain nutrients.
A successful diet-induced weight loss program should help patients set a realistic yet clinically meaningful weight loss goal of 8% to 10% reduction in initial body weight by 6 months. Following a calorie-reduced (calorie deficit of approximately 500 to 1000 kcal/day) but balanced diet that provides for as little as 1 or 2 pounds of weight loss a week is recommended for a safe and effective weight loss program
Patients should be educated on food composition, portion control, food preparation, and preferences. Counseling from an exercise specialist or a behavioral therapist who has weight management experience can also facilitate behavior modification.