However, larger amounts of vitamins should be taken if the patient is pregnant,
undergoing rapid growth or has a debilitating illness.
Likewise, patients who do not have a well-balanced diet (such as the elderly,
alcoholics, children, and those who go on fad diets) might also develop a vita-
min deficiency. That would require the patient to take vitamin supplements to
assure there are sufficient vitamins to support his or her metabolism.
Expect to provide vitamin supplements for patients who have:- Conditions that inhibit absorption of food.
- Diarrhea.
- Infection and fever.
- Inflammatory diseases.
- Cancer.
- Inability to use vitamins.
- Undergoing hemodialysis.
- Hyperthyroidism.
- GI surgery.
- Fad diets.
- Are pregnant.
- Growing children.
WELL-BALANCED DIET
Many patients realize the importance of having a well-balanced diet. Few however,
know what constitutes a well-balanced diet. Patients can use the U.S. Department
of Agriculture’s (USDA) definition of a well-balanced diet as a guideline.
The USDA uses a food pyramid to illustrate the mixture of food groups that
are necessary for us to receive the proper amount of vitamins and minerals for a
healthy life. Recently the USDA revised its longstanding food pyramid to reflect
the individual needs of people of a specific age, sex, and activity group. The pre-
vious food pyramid placed everyone in the same group, which is not realistic.
The revised food pyramid is organized into five color-coded groups, each
with a general recommendation.- Grains.Three ounces of whole grain bread, rice, cereal, crackers, or pasta
every day (orange). - Vegetables.Eat more dark green vegetables, orange vegetables, beans and
peas (green). - Fruits.Fresh frozen, dry, or canned fruit. Go easy on fruit juices (red).
- Milk.Calcium-rich foods. Choose lactose free products (blue).
(^138) CHAPTER 9 Vitamins and Minerals