Strategies for promoting a healthy dietary intake

Strategies for promotion of a healthy dietary intake must emphasize sound, up-to-date nutritional knowledge that supports broad dietary guidelines for healthy eating. Effective dietary intervention does not rely on a "good food, bad food" approach. The plethora of nutritional studies reported in the popular press must be critically examined at their sources, and information from the studies incorporated into wellness programs only after they have been substantiated to be applicable to the groups of people to whom the wellness programs are addressed. This article briefly describes the 10th revision of the RDAs that was recently released by the National Academy of Sciences in the United States. The US RDA labeling information is also described, and its difference from the RDAs is identified. In addition, the article discusses the recent US Dietary Guidelines and modified four-food-groups daily diet plan which are based on the most recent RDA. Pender's health promotion model is presented as a workable model on which to base healthy dietary intake programs, and three programs that have used elements similar to this model are presented, one in detail. Cost effectiveness as an outcome and tracking technique is highlighted for one of the programs. Nutrition is an important part of nursing care for well clients. Nurses must maintain interdisciplinary contacts with nutritionists and continually update information in this rapidly growing body of knowledge in order to respond to clients' needs and to promote health in this important area.