As healthcare providers, doctors are tasked with encouraging and educating patients to follow a healthy diet. However, 46% of American patients say it’s too expensive to eat better or that they simply don’t know where to start. Here are seven effective ways doctors can encourage patients to eat healthy.
1. Lead by Example
On the diet side, doctors are expected to set a good example for their patients to follow. When you practice what you preach in terms of eating healthy, you’ll inspire patients to give it a try themselves.
Plus, when you eat a healthy, balanced diet, you can offer genuine advice and personal recommendations. Anytime you find a new way to use a nutritious ingredient like sprouts or nuts, you can share these tips with your patients.
2. Educate Patients on the Benefits of a Healthy Diet
Did you know 1 in 10 Americans believe a fast food diet is heart-healthy? The truth is, many patients simply don’t know what healthy eating looks like or what benefits are available.
When you take the time to educate your patients on these benefits, they’re much more likely to make meaningful changes in their eating habits. Otherwise, your advice may fall on deaf ears.
3. Help Patients Set Achievable Goals
Instead of burdening patients with a laundry list of diet modifications and restrictions, consider focusing on helping your patients set realistic goals. This can absolutely include explaining SMART goals and helping them set a few.
The first goal could be something fairly light and manageable. Eating chicken instead of beef one meal per week or adding vitamin-packed bean sprouts to one meal each day are great examples.
As a physician, you can also recommend or provide powerful resources and tools to your patients, which can give them the necessary support to make better eating choices in their daily lives. Resources can include handouts, recipes and mobile applications to help patients track their food intake and make well-informed decisions based on nutritional values. Don’t be afraid to get creative—encourage patients to attend cooking courses or workshops, which teach them new skills and new recipes at the same time. As a healthcare professional, you know that highly restrictive diets are typically doomed to fail. Even the most dedicated patients eventually can’t maintain their “perfect” diet and fall back into unhealthy habits. This is why you may want to spend time talking with patients about the importance of eating in moderation. Having a healthy diet doesn’t mean a patient can never have their favorite foods, and it’s important they know this fact. Just as many Americans don’t know what a healthy diet looks like, your patients may not be aware of the potential risks associated with an unhealthy diet. As their physician, you can educate people on what to potentially expect if they don’t start making changes. At the same time, you don’t want to scare your patients or talk down to them. Help each patient understand that they have the power to avoid many of these risks by gradually improving their eating habits. Creating a universal health pamphlet is a fantastic way to provide your patients with clear, straightforward and relevant information regarding eating healthy. You can even create multiple brochures. For example, you can list the benefits of a specific diet or food group, put together general information on heart-healthy foods or compile a list of local resources related to improving nutrition. All in all, as a doctor with a diverse patient base to serve, there’s a lot you can do to ensure your patients make healthy eating choices. Try the tips mentioned above and don’t be afraid to ask your patients if there’s anything specific you can do to support them. When you take the time to meet your patients where they are on their journey to better eating, everybody wins. Since 1996, George has been working hands on with all thing’s spouts, sprouting and sprouting seeds. He is also a natural health and well-being enthusiast who believes in the power of good health habits. George’s focus on healthy food, nutrition and exercise aligns perfectly with his many years of professional experience as the President of Nature Jim’s Sprouts and Reynolds Industries. George firmly believes in the health benefits of sprouts and makes them a part of his daily diet. His favorite way to eat sprouts is raw and on sandwiches and salads.5. Emphasize the Importance of Moderation
6. Discuss the Potential Risks of an Unhealthy Diet
7. Create a Medical Brochure with Helpful Information
About the Author
George Reynolds
Nature Jim's Sprouts Owner and CEO
