Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) is a science-based approach to manage or treat diseases through nutrition.
Medical Nutrition Therapy which emphasizes on lifestyle changes that reduce calorie intake form the important base for treating overweight and obesity. Obesity is a serious and most prevalent non-communicable disease of the 21st century. It is caused by various factors such as an imbalanced diet, lack of physical workout and environmental changes.
MNT for obesity management strategies should focus on personalized eating habits, high-quality food choices, and developing a positive relationship with food. This can include conscious eating practices, which may help reduce food cravings, control emotional eating, improve body confidence, and increase awareness of hunger and fullness.
MNT is designed and provided by a dietitian with approval from the patient’s doctor. Through regular follow-up appointments, they will monitor your progress and provide ongoing support. They can assist in setting achievable weight-loss targets.
If you are overweight or obese, losing weight is especially important, as it can lower your risk of many health problems, such as:
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Sleep apnea
- Liver disease
- Infertility
- Lung conditions like asthma
- Certain cancers
- Mental health challenges
MNT is also helpful for people with other conditions, including:
- Eating disorders
- Those recovering from weight-loss (bariatric) surgery
- Individuals managing cancer or diabetes
What happens during medical nutrition therapy for weight loss
As a dietitian, our goal is to help individuals manage obesity in a sustainable, healthy, and individualized way. We use Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to guide patients step-by-step toward achieving their health goals which includes following steps: –
Nutrition assessment: – First, we start with an in-depth assessment. This means we take the time to understand the individual’s Anthropometrical parameters, medical history, eating habits, activity levels, and any challenges they might face, such as emotional eating or time constraints.
Nutrition diagnosis: – This includes identifying nutrition-related issues or co-morbidities that have contributed to the individual’s weight gain.
Nutrition intervention: – We work together to create an individualized nutrition plan. This is a roadmap tailored to their needs, preferences, and goals. This diet plan significantly emphasizes on balancing nutrients, controlling portion, and addressing all the specific needs. We adjust calorie intake to create a modest energy deficit while maintaining adequate nutrition.
Nutrition monitoring and evaluation: – Throughout the journey, we provide ongoing support and motivation through attentive supervision. Regular check-ins allow us to celebrate progress, address any challenges, and modify the plan if needed.
BOTTOM LINE: –
Our approach is all about creating a plan that is sustainable for life. We aim to equip patients with the tools they need to maintain a healthy weight, feel good about themselves, and enjoy food without guilt.
Helping people achieve their health goals through MNT is incredibly rewarding. It’s not just about numbers on a scale, it’s about empowering individuals to take control of their health and build habits that last a lifetime.
By addressing nutrition, this personalized approach can support better health and improve quality of life.
REFERENCES: –
https://iris.paho.org/bitstream/handle/10665.2/34123/PAHOCAR310101-eng.pdf
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