Culturally Sensitive Nutrition Education Providing Effective Treatment for Diabetes in Ethnic Elders Prepared and based on work by: Caroline Fee, MA Stanford GEC Copyright © 2005

Stanford GEC Copyright © 2005 Does it Really Matter? Adherence to Diet Therapy Compliance to Total Treatment Plan Provider/Patient Implications Respect Caring Rapport Stanford GEC Copyright © 2005

Culturally Specific Nutrition Education Resource Modules Traditional Foods Acculturation Issues Further Resources for information on cultural perspective, traditional, and contemporary food habits in the US Kittler and Sucher, (2004).Food and culture (4th ed.) Stanford GEC Copyright © 2005

Strategies for Culturally Appropriate Dietary Interventions Make Healthy food choices Choose foods low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol Avoid trans fats (found in processed foods) Increase intake of complex carbohydrate Fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains Use low fat sources of protein Legumes (beans) Lean poultry, meat, and fish Return to Healthy Traditional Foods Stanford GEC Copyright © 2005

Stanford GEC Copyright © 2005 Control Food Portions Use food replicas to teach serving sizes Use culturally specific food guide pyramids to show adequate servings and recommended healthy choices from each food group Stanford GEC Copyright © 2005

Stanford GEC Copyright © 2005 Modify Recipes Recommend recipes that reformulate traditional dishes Emphasize low fat cooking methods Emphasize using only a small amount of oil for cooking Promote cooking classes Stanford GEC Copyright © 2005

Resources for Implementation of Strategies Culturally specific cookbooks American Dietetic Association Cultural food booklets Food replicas Culturally specific food guide pyramids Stanford GEC Copyright © 2005

Individualize Treatment Consult a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Certified Diabetic Educator (CDE) Individual goals are needed: To maintain blood glucose levels in normal range To reduce risk for complications of diabetes Stanford GEC Copyright © 2005

Issues to Address Include: Obesity/weight loss Co-morbidity considerations Percentage of daily carbohydrate, fat, and protein intake Timing of meals and snacks Carbohydrate counting Food adjustments based on glucometer readings Exercise recommendations Stanford GEC Copyright © 2005

Resources to Locate RD’s and CDE’s www.eatright.org www.diabteseducator.org How to find a professional with cultural specialization: Referrals Identify names that appear to match the culture of the client Follow-up with a phone call or email to get specific information on cultural and bilingual expertise Stanford GEC Copyright © 2005

Cultural Remedies Used for Treatment of Diabetes Refer to tables listed for each specific ethnic group Selected herbs Dietary practices Spiritual practices Cultural healers Other Stanford GEC Copyright © 2005