This module was developed to help clinicians understand the core foundations of a healthy, well-balanced diet. While we consider individual nutritional components, or macronutrients (i.e., fats, carbohydrates, proteins, etc.) for teaching purposes, please remember that this approach is cumbersome and frustrating for patients to put into practice since foods do not consist of a single nutrient. When deciding which foods to eat, we must consider the whole food package, which may contain multiple macronutrients as well as other vital nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. The information presented in this module generally applies to healthy patients; those with chronic conditions such as coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus or inflammatory bowel disease may need customized recommendations.
Be sure to check out the "Useful Resources" section at the end of the module, which contains a concise list of websites and books to help you learn more about nutrition. There is information about referring patients and a section on resources for weight loss. There is also a patient handout available, which summarizes key nutrition concepts for your patients.