Diet-Related Disease Prevention and Medical Nutrition Therapy
Core concepts
Distinguish primary prevention (population and lifestyle) from medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for diagnosed conditions. Know the nutrition care process (assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring/evaluation) and the role of the registered dietitian nutritionist in MNT.
Key conditions: cardiovascular disease (saturated fat, sodium, fiber, and the DASH pattern), hypertension (sodium reduction, potassium-rich foods, weight management), type 2 diabetes (carbohydrate consistency, glycemic control, weight loss, monitoring A1c), chronic kidney disease (protein and potassium/phosphorus control, individualized), and food allergy versus intolerance. Understand that MNT is individualized and evidence-based, not a single diet for all.
Traps in questions
- Confusing prevention with treatment recommendations.
- Assuming a single "diabetic diet" exists (individualized carbohydrate management is the standard).
- Recommending potassium restriction to everyone with CKD (it is individualized).
- Treating food intolerance as an immune-mediated allergy.
Rule of thumb
For any disease scenario, first identify whether the question asks about prevention, treatment, or monitoring-then select the appropriate intervention and metric.
Worked example
A patient with hypertension and no CKD: emphasize sodium reduction and potassium-rich foods (DASH pattern), not potassium restriction.