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tritionists, and researchers conducting evidence- Cake/Cookies My greatest
based studies on the dangers and side effects of Lowfat Ice Cream/Sherbert
pharmaceutical therapy. “Natural Medicines Canned/Fresh Fruit frustration is
Database” (www.naturaldatabasetherpeuticre- Lowfat or Skim Milk in observing
search.com) is a good reference, providing a list Fruit Punch/Lemon Lime Soda a physician's
of medications that cause nutritional depletion,
with corresponding backup studies. The site Snacks: reluctance to
provides information on the medications' side Pre-packaged crackers, cookies or chips give up
effects as well as other herbal or homeopathic Fruit juice/Fruit Punch/Lemon Lime Soda "control" of
remedies that may be used alternatively. It lists Lowfat or Skim milk
evidence-based studies linked to the use of herbal the patient,
and homeopathic remedies and encourages re- All menu items are frozen, pre-packaged never asking
searchers to study and submit material. or canned, with the exception of salads or some another
I find it encouraging that this is a reference fruit which may be fresh.
suggested by the Academy of Nutrition and I had big plans for changing this menu, hop- practitioner's
Dietetics (American Dietetic Association)–Di- ing to meld WAPF principles into the guidelines advice about
etitians in Functional and Integrative Medicine of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and a treatment
practice group. teach the patients about dietary changes with
classes. he does not
FOOD The administrator asked me to first inter- understand.
On my first day of work at this hospital view the patients to find out what they did not like
three years ago the administrator requested about the food (the real reason he had consulted
that I change the menu plan. After seeing the me) and what they would prefer instead. These
menu, I assumed he'd made the request because are some of the patients' requests:
the menu contained so many refined foods and
sugars. I later found it was because the patients Ranch dressing with everything—
were complaining about the food. the lowfat type because it is sweeter
Here is what the menu plan looks like. It Froot Loops and Cocoa Puffs cereals
faithfully follows the guidelines of the Academy Chocolate milk
of Nutrition and Dietetics (American Dietetic Chicken wings with BBQ sauce dip
Association): Ketchup at every meal
Coke or Pepsi
Breakfast: Sugar substitute in the pink package
Eggs Icing on cakes
Sausage/Bacon Coffee
Toast/Biscuit/Muffin/Sweet Roll/ Red Bull energy drink
Pop Tart/Pancakes
Cold Cereal /Oatmeal When these same patients were asked what
Lowfat or Skim Milk they thought they should eat in order to be
Fruit Juice healthier their answers included:

Lunch/Dinner: Cereal
Chicken Nuggets Oatmeal
Pizza Ensure
Hot Dogs/Hamburger Energy bars
Fried/ Baked Chicken Gatorade/Sports drinks
Tacos Lowfat and nonfat foods
Salad or Vegetable
French Fries/Potatoes Virtually all of the children obtained their
Roll/Bread nutrition education from television commercials.
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