A healthy basic diet.

GCSE Design & Technology

Case Studies

Outcome 3 pc (d)

INDEX

Case Study One Pages 1-2

Case Study Two Page 3

Case Study Three Pages 4-5

Case Study Four Pages 6-7

Case Study Five Pages 8-9

Bibliography Page 10

Case Study 1

My client is a 40 year old male office worker. He has a very sedentary job and does not currently take any form of exercise. He states he has a healthy basic diet but he would like advice on any improvements he could make or any vitamins and or supplements he should be taking.

Calorie Intake

He informed me that he currently has a daily intake of 3000 calories. I advised him to reduce this amount by approximately 450 per day (to the intake currently recommended by the British Nutrition Foundation of 2550 for a man aged 19 – 50 with a sedentary job).

Alcohol

My client admitted that he is currently drinking 2 pints of lager every night Monday to Friday and a further 5 pints of lager Saturday and Sunday night. He admitted that he had not added this to his calorie intake. I advised my client that this adds up to 40 units and approximately 3960 calories per week.

I advised my client that his current consumption falls between the warning and danger zones set by Alcohol Focus Scotland and if he continues to drink at this level he runs the increased risk of several conditions such as heart disease, cirrhosis of the liver or even korsakoff’s disease (alcohol related dementia).

My advice was that he reduces his alcohol intake as follows:

Five days per week – a maximum of 1 - 2 pints (2 - 4 units)

Two days per week – Alcohol free

Dietary Advice

When his daily calorie intake and his alcohol intake over 7 days were added together it gave an approx daily intake of 3330 which was over the recommended amount by 780 calories. I advise him to reduce his daily calories by replacing his snacks with fruit and vegetables, reducing his alcohol intake as detailed above and by ensuring that he plans his meals around the current guidelines of 15% protein, 47% carbohydrate and 33% fat.

Salt Intake

Because his blood pressure may have increased with his alcohol intake I have advised my client to ensure that his salt intake does not exceed 7g per day. I have advised him that the easiest way to bring down his salt intake is by not adding salt to his food either whilst cooking or prior to eating.

Supplements

Vitamin B Complex

Because my client has been drinking excessively for an unspecified amount of time, it is possible that his body has had difficulty in absorbing B Vitamins.

I have therefore recommended that he take a vitamin B complex in supplement form.

Case Study 2

My client is a 42 year old female nurse who has a very active job. She states she has a healthy basic diet and has asked for advice and information on any improvements she could make to her diet and any vitamins and or supplements that she should be taking.

Calorie Intake

She informed me that she currently has an intake of approximately 1900 calories per day. I advised her to increase this (as current guidelines would ...

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I have therefore recommended that he take a vitamin B complex in supplement form.

Case Study 2

Calorie Intake

She informed me that she currently has an intake of approximately 1900 calories per day. I advised her to increase this (as current guidelines would advise her to have an intake of 2632). I have advised her not to increase her calories by increasing her intake of fatty and or sugary snacks. Instead I have advised that she increase her carbohydrate intake by snacking on sandwiches (wholemeal bread) and crackers and also to increase her fruit and vegetable intake by adding them to meal and or snacks.

Dietary Advice

Although my client states she has a healthy diet I have advised her that it is important she ensures that whilst she is working shifts that she has the necessary food intake and does not miss meals (to keep up her energy levels). If possible I have advised her to eat her meals at the correct times e.g. having breakfast in the morning after a night shift and not a heavy meal.

Where possible I have advised her to avoid heavy meals after midnight as due to her body’s natural circadian rhythm, it is naturally slowing down at that time and will therefore find it more difficult to digest the meal.

Alcohol and Caffeine

I have advised my client to avoid too much of these substances particularly prior to going to sleep as they can act as stimulants and therefore affect her ability to get a good sleep.

Supplements

Calcium

Because osteoporosis is known to affect 1 in 3 women (National Osteoporosis Society) I have ask my client to ensure that she is receiving 700mg a day from her diet and I discussed her current diet with her to ensure that she is receiving adequate amounts. I have advised her to ensure that she does not take supplements if she is also eating adequate amounts of calcium rich food as exceeding 2000 to 2500 mg of calcium daily can lead to medical problems such as milk alkali syndrome (a high level of calcium in the blood).

Case Study 3

My client is a 25 year office worker who is currently 12 weeks pregnant. She has a healthy basic diet and has asked for advice and information on any improvement she could make to her diet and any vitamins and or supplements that she should be taking whilst pregnant.

Calorie Intake

She informed me that she currently has an intake of approximately 1700 calories per day. I advised her to increase this as current guidelines would advise her to have an intake of 1940 calories daily rising to approx 2140 from week 24 of her pregnancy. I have advised her not to increase her calories by increasing her intake of fatty and or sugary snacks. Instead I have advised that she increase her carbohydrate intake by snacking on sandwiches (wholemeal bread) and crackers and also to increase her fruit and vegetable intake by adding them to meal and or snacks.

I also gave my client the following advice with regards the avoidance of certain foods based on current guidelines.

Alcohol

I advised my client to avoid this completely but did inform her that the Department of Health have stated that 1-2 units per week are considered safe in pregnancy.

Seafood

I advised my client that the Food Standards Agency have issued a warning to all pregnant women to avoid eating shark, swordfish and marlin. They are also advising that no more that 2 medium tins or one fresh steak of tuna are eaten weekly. They believe that the mercury contained in these foods can cause damage to the baby’s developing nervous system.

Caffeine

I have advised my client to limit her total intake of caffeine to a maximum of 300mg a day. I gave her examples of the amount of caffeine in food e.g. 3 cups of coffee or 6 cups of tea will amount to this level. It is believed that failure to heed this warning can lead to low birth weight or even miscarriage.

Liver / Liver Products

Because consuming a large amount of Vitamin A in pregnancy is known to cause birth detects. All pregnant women are advised to avoid eating the above foods. Pregnant women must not take Vitamin A supplements unless advised to by a health professional.

Peanuts

I asked my client if herself, her partner or any close family members suffer from a peanut or other allergy, asthma or eczema. Because she informed me that her partner has a peanut allergy, I advised her to avoid peanuts or peanut products whilst pregnant or breastfeeding (if she chooses to do so) as the British Dietetic Association believe that this may prevent her baby from developing a similar allergy.

I also advised her of the following ‘danger’ foods. I have listed in brackets the reasons for doing so.

Pate, soft and blue veined cheese, undercooked ready meals, unwashed fruit and vegetables (Listeriosis)
Raw, undercooked meat, unpasteurised goat’s milk or cheese, unwashed raw fruit or vegetables (Toxoplasmosis)
Raw eggs, foods containing raw or partially cooked eggs, raw meat and chicken (Salmonella).

Dietary Advice

Although my client has a healthy diet at present I did recommend that she eat plenty of foods containing iron and gave her examples such as red meat, pulses and bread. I also advised her to drink a glass of vitamin C rich juice whilst having these foods to aid the absorption of the iron.

Supplements

My client advised me that as per her GP’s advice she has been taking 400mcg of folic acid daily since prior to conception. But she asked whether she should be taking the following supplements:

Iron

I advised her that only if her GP or Midwife detect that her blood iron levels are low will she be advised to take iron supplements.

Vitamin D

The Food Standards Agency is currently advising all pregnant women to take a supplement of 10mcg daily. However the British Nutrition Foundation disagree that a supplement is necessary. I have therefore advised her to consult with her GP or Midwife.

Calcium

I have advised her that if her diet is currently providing her with 700mg of calcium daily a supplement is not necessary. I provided her with examples of calcium rich food such as hard cheese, milk and broccoli.

Case Study 4

My client is a 32 year old unemployed woman who recently gave birth and is currently breast feeding. She has a healthy basic diet and asked for advice and information on any improvements she could make to her diet and any vitamins and or supplements that she should be taking whilst breast feeding.

Calorie Intake

She informed me that she currently has a daily intake of 2000 calories. I advised her to increase this intake to 2390 calories (the intake currently advised for her age and sex which is 1940 plus 450 extra calories as advised by the British Nutrition Foundation for a woman breastfeeding). I have advised her not to increase her calories by increasing her intake of fatty and or sugary snacks. Instead I have advised that she increase her carbohydrate intake by snacking on sandwiches (wholemeal bread) and crackers and also to increase her fruit and vegetable intake by adding then to meal and or snacks.

I also gave my client the following advice with regards the avoidance of certain foods based on current guidelines.

Seafood

I advised my client that the Food Standards Agency have issued a warning to all breast feeding women to avoid eating shark, swordfish and marlin. They are also advising that no more that 2 medium tins or one fresh steak of tuna is eating weekly. They believe that the mercury contained in these foods can pass to the breast milk and therefore pass to the baby and cause damage to its developing nervous system.

Peanuts

I asked my client if herself, her partner or any close family members suffer from a peanut or other allergy, asthma or eczema. Because she informed me her mother has a peanut allergy, I advised her to avoid peanuts or peanut products whilst breastfeeding, and when introducing her baby to solids until age 3, as the British Dietetic Association believe that this may prevent her baby from developing a similar allergy.

Alcohol and caffeine

I advised my client to ensure that she consumes minimal amounts as the British Nutrition Foundation believe that the baby being breastfed will be equally affected by these substances.

Dietary Advice

Although my client has a healthy diet at present I did recommend that she ensure that she does not become dehydrated whilst breast feeding. I advised her that should her urine become dark and have a strong smell that would be a sign that she was not having a sufficient fluid intake.

I also advised her to ensure that continues to have a healthy diet ensuring that she has at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables per day.

Supplements

Vitamin D

I advised my client that the Food Standards Agency is currently advising all breast feeding women to take a supplement of 10mcg daily.

However the British Nutrition Foundation disagree that a supplement is necessary.

I have therefore advised her to consult with her GP or Health Visitor.

Free Supplements

I advised my client that as she is currently unemployed and receiving income support, she is entitled to receive free vitamin A, C and D from her health clinic. I have advised her to consult with her Health Visitor before deciding which, if any supplements she wishes to take.

Case Study 5

My clients are a couple both aged 68 years old. They stated they have a healthy basic diet but would like advice on any improvements they could make to their diet and any vitamins and or supplements they should be taking. However they did advise me that as they are on a low fixed income, they cannot afford to purchase expensive foods and supplements.

Calorie Intake

They informed me that they both consume approximately 1800 calories. I advised them that she could, if she wishes increase this by approximately 100 calories daily but that he should increase his intake by 530 calories daily (in line with current recommendations).I advised them to do so, not by increasing their consumption of fatty and sugary food, but by increasing their carbohydrate and fruit/vegetable intake. I advised that he could have larger portions of the carbohydrate part of the meal i.e. pasta, rice or potatoes or by increasing his bread intake.

Fluid Intake

I advised my clients of the importance of keeping up a good fluid intake which is recommended as 6-8 glasses of water per day. The British Nutrition Foundation believes that becoming dehydrated can lead to mental confusion.

Salt Intake

Because their blood pressure will have increased with their age I have advised my clients to ensure that their salt intake does not exceed 6g per day. I have advised them that the easiest way to bring down their salt intake is by not adding salt to their food either whilst cooking or prior to eating.

Dietary Intake

I advised my client to eat food rich in the following:

Vitamin C

My clients both state that due to their low income they find it difficult to afford a large amount of fresh food, and often only shop once a week as their supermarket is very far from home. To ensure they keep up an adequate intake of vitamin C I have encouraged them to consume fruit juice and canned fruit along with frozen vegetables such as brussel sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower.

Iron

As my clients do not eat read meat or fish I have advised them to increase their intake of iron by adding some of the following foods; pulses, eggs, bread and green vegetables to their diet. I have also advised them to drink a glass of vitamin C fruit juice when eating these foods to aid the absorption of iron.

Fibre and Starch

To help my clients in avoiding constipation I have advised them to ensure that they eat foods rich in fibre and starch. I have advised that they increase their intake by adding some of the following foods; oats, pulses, fruit and vegetables to their diet.

Calcium and Vitamin D

Osteoporosis affects 1 in 3 women and 1 in 12 men. I have advised my clients that it is imperative that they ensure that they get adequate supplies of both of these vitamins (Calcium 700mg a day) to help reduce bone loss.

Supplements

Vitamin D

The British Nutrition Foundation is currently recommending that everyone over the age of 65 take 10mcg of vitamin D daily. This is especially important as my clients do not eat red meat or oily fish and do not go out very often.

Vitamin B Complex

Because it is believed that the elderly often have difficulty in absorbing vitamin B from their diets I have advised my client to take a daily vitamin B complex supplement.