Nutrition discussion

Menu Option 1: South Florida Meals on Wheels

Healthy Food Options (information per recommended serving size)

Baked Chicken. Calories: 165 Carbs: 0 Protein: 31 Fat: 3.6

Chicken Sausage. Calories: 110 Carbs: <1g Protein: 18g Fat: 3.5g

Sweet Potatoes: Calories: 114 Carbs: 27g Protein: 2.1g Fat: .1g

Omelet: Calories: 358 Carbs: 1g Protein: 21g Fat: 28g

Turkey Lasagna: Calories: 420 Carbs: 38g Protein: 40g Fat: 12g

Vegetarian Chili: Calories: 219 Carbs: 38g Protein: 15g Fat: 1.5g

Mixed Vegetables: Calories: 60 Carbs: 12g Protein: 2g Fat: 0g

Spinach: Calories: 7 Carbs: 1g Protein: 1g Fat: 0g

Unhealthy Food Options

Moonpie: Calories: 220 Carbs: 40g Protein: 3g Fat: 6g (high sugar content, empty calories)

Meatloaf and Gravy: Calories: 200 Carbs: 8g Protein: Fat: 11g (cholesterol and sugar)

Pork Riblet in BBQ Sauce: Calories: 357 Carbs: 6g Protein: 19g Fat: 17g (Sugar, fat, cholesterol)

Macaroni and Cheese: Calories: 310 Carbs: 44g Protein: 13g Fat: 9g (saturated fat, high carbs, white flour)

Breaded filet of fish: Calories: 260 Carbs: 23g Protein: 16g Fat: 12g (high carbs, white flour, fat)

Beef Patty in Gravy: Calories: 110 Carbs: 2g Protein: 10g Fat: 7g (saturated fat and cholesterol)

Menu Option 2: North East Florida Meals on Wheels

Healthy Food Options (information per recommended serving size)

Lemon Pepper Fish. Calories: 90 Carbs: 0g Protein: 15g Fat: 3g

Beef and Cabbage Casserole: Calories: 212 Carbs: 27g Protein: 18.6g Fat: 8.1g

Omelet: Calories: 358 Carbs: 1g Protein: 21g Fat: 28g

Brussels Sprouts: Calories: 56 Carbs: 11 g Protein: 4 g Fat: 0g

Green Beans: Calories: 28 Carbs: 5 g Protein:1.5g Fat: .5g

Mixed Vegetables: Calories: 60 Carbs: 12g Protein: 2g Fat: 0g

Carrots: Calories: 25 Carbs: 6g Protein: .6g Fat: .1g

Broccoli: Calories: 31 Carbs: 6g Protein: 2.5g Fat: 0g

Unhealthy Food Options

Gravy: Calories: 188 Carbs: 13g Protein: 24.6g Fat: 14g (unnecessary empty carbs and unhealthy fats)

Hamburger: Calories: 354 Carbs: 29g Protein: 20 Fat: 17g (cholesterol and empty carbs)

Ranch Dressing: Calories: 145 Carbs: 2g Protein: .3g Fat: 15g (saturated fat, high carbs)

Cornbread: Calories: 94 Carbs: 15g Protein: 1g Fat: 2.7g (high carbs, white flour, sugar)

Fruit Cobbler: Calories: 330 Carbs: 56g Protein: 3g Fat: 11g (High sugar and calorie content)

Menu Analysis

●Meals from both menus are varied and meet the essential nutrient components of a balanced meal, including fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals

●Recipients receive a balanced diet throughout the week to meet the nutritional needs of their age group

●However, menus have several unhealthy options that could be eradicated or replaced to improve the menu

●The S. Florida menu contains many varieties to meet the dietary requirements and cultural preferences of the diverse population

●The NE Florida menu does not contain the options and variety as the South Florida Menu

●Both menus could be improved to include more vegan, allergy-friendly and diabetic-friendly options

Sample Menu 1: Meals on Wheels South Florida

Breakfast

Omelet: Calories: 358 Carbs: 1g  Protein: 21g Fat: 28g

2 whole grain waffles:170 calories, 1.5g of saturated fat, 2g of sugar, 26g of carbs and 5g of protein

Chicken Sausage. Calories: 110 Carbs: <1g Protein: 18g Fat: 3.5g 

One cup of whole milk: 61 calories, 3g of protein, 4g of carbs, 3g of fat

Lunch

Turkey Lasagna: Calories: 420 Carbs: 38g  Protein: 40g Fat: 12g

Mixed Vegetables: Calories: 60 Carbs: 12g Protein: 2g  Fat: 0g

Sweet Potatoes: Calories: 114 Carbs:  27g Protein: 2.1g  Fat: .1g

1 cup of water

Sample Menu 1: Meals on Wheels South Florida

Dinner 

Mixed protein salad that contains baked chicken. Calories: 165 Carbs: 0 Protein: 31 Fat: 3.6

8 oz of apple juice: 110 calories, 28g of carbs, 0g fat, and 1g of protein

1 cup of water

Sample Menu 2: Meals on Wheels North East Florida

Breakfast

1 cup of Greek yogurt: 290 calories, 34g of carbs, 130g of fats, 8g of protein

1 apple: 104 calories and 50g of carbs

40g of whole grain oatmeal: 150 calories, 27g of carbs, 2g of fat, and 6g of protein

1 cup of water

Lunch

Beef and Cabbage Casserole: Calories: 212 Carbs:  27g Protein: 18.6g  Fat: 8.1g

Brussels Sprouts:  Calories: 56 Carbs: 11 g Protein:  4 g Fat: 0g

1 cup of water

Sample Menu 2: Meals on Wheels North East Florida

Dinner

Lemon Pepper Fish. Calories: 90 Carbs: 0g Protein: 15g Fat: 3g 

Broccoli: Calories: 31 Carbs: 6g Protein: 2.5g  Fat: 0g

1 cup of brown rice: 150 calories, 32g of carbs, 1g of fat, and 3g of protein

1 cup of water

South Florida V.S. Sample Menu Comparison

· A lot of carbohydrates including potatoes and Moon pie

· The vegetables and fruits are not enough

· Food such as meat in most meals

· All nutritional requirement included

· The caloric, protein, and fats requirements considered for the elderly patient throughout the day

· Fresh deep colored fruits

North East Florida V.S. Sample Menu Comparison

· Too many food options with high calories such as Fruit cobbler, cornbread, and gravy

· Reduced fruits in diets

· Different types of meats which could not be appropriate for elderly population

· Simple breakfast with high fiber, proteins, calcium, proteins and decreased calories such as apples

· Appropriate food option with fiber, calcium and fats

· Foods rich in omega-3-fatty acids such as sardines and fish

Barriers to Optimal Health

Socioeconomic challenges- low socioeconomic status due to lack of enough funds to purchase nutritious food

Health of the population- elderly people are prone to co-morbid diseases which limits food intake due to disease restrictions, medications, and disease associated symptoms.

Barriers to Optimal Health Contd.

Food cultures of the population- food taboos prevent some people in eating certain foods thus lacking important nutrients in the body.

Health literacy level on nutrition- the uneducated population on healthy and beneficial foods will usually consume foods high unhealthy elements leading to micronutrient deficiency.

Summary

· Meals on Wheels help the elderly (over 60 years old) receive nutritious meals and provide places where they can interact

· Meals on Wheels in South and North East Florida were compared

· African American and Hispanic cultures were also compared in food preference

· Elderly people in nursing care require a diet containing the right amount of fiber, protein, carbohydrate, fat, and vitamins and minerals

· There were various barriers to nutrition but as a nurse we must educate and work with the person’s cultural preferences to build an adequate menu and improve their nutritional status