Living on a restricted diet is not easy. To develop an appreciation for what you expect of your patients and to develop practical ideas for adhering to a diet you will work with a partner; each of you will have an opportunity to be the patient and the dietitian.

Phase I - Dietitian/Nutritionist (30 points): You will work with a partner; the client/patient may choose one of the following diets to follow:
 

Food allergy	Hypercholesterolemia
Low sodium (2 gm)	Weight reduction
Type I diabetes	Others diets if approved by instructor

As the dietitian/nutritionist, you will interview the patient to determine food preferences, daily eating patterns, and how the patient will realistically follow the diet given his/her lifestyle, finances, eating set-up, etc. Taking these findings into consideration, you calculate the appropriate diet, develop a meal pattern, and write an example one day menu. You will meet with your partner to explain the diet you have planned and give any special instructions. After your patient has followed the three-day meal plan (pattern must be followed, but not necessarily the menus) , the two of you will discuss the difficulties encountered, suggestions you would make, and assess the adherence of your patient to the plan.

To complete Phase I you must turn in: (each bullet item is worth 5 points)

• patient profile (age; height; weight and evaluation of weight; diagnosis; diet history--results of 24-hour recall and daily eating patterns information)
• calculations determining calorie level, nutrient distribution
• identification and description of diet client was to follow;  be very specific about how you counseled the client on this diet (what information given in words and handouts)
• a meal pattern
• a one day menu
• TWO nutrition notes- an initial note with 3 parts: Nutrition Diasnostic (PES) Statement, Nutrition Intervention (Recommendations/Plan), and Monitoring/Evaluation (how determine success of plan); -- and a follow-up note (identify if plan was successful and if not, identify problems)
  

To complete Phase II you must turn in:

• a copy of the meal plan/pattern and menu (note any changes from ones provided) followed
• a summary (no longer than 2 pages) of your experiences as a patient, a)commenting on such factors as obstacles to adherence and  feelings about being on the diet (5 points); b) practical insights which you might pass on to future patients (5 points)
• an evaluation of your dietitian:  a) was the plan realistic for your situation and was the explanation of the plan clear ? (5 pts); b) what would you have done differently, what suggestions would you make to him/her for future patients (give specific examples related to your experience with this "dietitian"; how could you help him/her improve) ? (5 pts)