ntake and lifestyle recall. This consists of asking the patient to run through a typical day in chronological order, describing all food consumption as well as activities. This method is very helpful because it may reveal other factors that can affect the patientís nutritional and overall health. [For example: (1) the patient sits in traffic for a 3-hour round trip each day; (2) the patient comes home from work late and eat dinner just before bedtime; or (3) the most exercise the patient gets is walking to and from the parking lot at work.]
Food Frequency Questionnaire
- This method makes use of a standardized written checklist where patients check off the particular foods or type of foods they consume. It is used to determine trends in patientsí consumption of certain foods. The checklist puts together foods with similar nutrient content, and frequencies are listed to identify daily, weekly, or monthly consumption.
- An advantage of this method is that it makes it possible to identify inadequate intake of any food group, so that dietary and nutrient deficiencies may be identified. The questionnaire can be geared to a patientís pre-existing medical conditions.
- Disadvantages include patient error in filling out the questionnaire and no way to find out how foods are prepared. Patients may over- or under-estimate food quantities.
Dietary Food Log
- This method asks the patient to record all food, beverage and snack consumption for a one- week period. Specific foods and quantities should be recorded. The data from the food log may later be entered into a computer program, which will analyze the nutrient components of the foods eaten according to specific name brands or food types. Patients are asked to enter data into the food log immediately after food is consumed so they do not forget.
- The most important advantage of this method is that a computer can objectively analyze data obtained. Data on calorie, fat, protein and carbohydrate consumption can be obtained. Also, since patients are asked to enter data immediately after eating, the data is more accurate than other methods.
- Disadvantages include patient error in entering accurate food quantities. In addition, it is possible that the week long food log does not accurately represent a patientís normal eating habits since they know the foods they eat will be analyzed and therefore may eat healthier.
Generic Nutrition Questionnaire
Do not be daunted by the following list. Reading through the sample questions will simply give you an idea of probing questions you might use to ascertain your patientís nutritional status.
- Would you describe you appetite as hearty, moderate, or poor?
- Are you on a special diet? Specify the type of diet. Who recommended the diet? If you have been on a special diet in the past, define it.
- Have you ever had any problems with weight? Underweight or overweight?
- Do you eat at approximately the same time every day?
- Do you skip meals? If so, when?
- Do you usually eat between meals? What do you snack on most often?
- Are there any foods you do not eat because you donít think they are good for you? If yes, what?
- Are there any foods you do eat regularly because you think they are good for you? If yes, what?
- Are there any foods you cannot eat? What happens when you eat this food?
- Are there foods you avoid because you donít like them?
- How is your food usually prepared, e.g. baked, broiled, fried?
- Are you on a diet now to lose or gain weight? If yes, what kind? Who recommended it?
- How do you feel about your weight?
- Are you taking any vitamin or mineral supplements? What and how often?
- Do you smoke? How many cigarettes (cigars or chewing tobacco) per day?
- Do you drink any alcohol? How much per day and when?
- How often do you exercise? What types of exercise do you do?
- Who in the house plans the meals? Buys the food? Prepares the food?
- Are there times in the month when there isnít enough money for food or you run out of food?
- How many of your meals are eaten at home? School? Work? Restaurants?
- How many hot meals do you e