Dietitians work in a number of settings, but did you know they play an active part in getting you back on your feet after a health setback? Rachel Bunch, RDN, LD, clinical dietitian, Parkview Health, discusses what a registered dietitian does and the vital role they play within the healing process.
You may not realize it, but a registered dietitian is an integral piece of your health journey and the healing process. Dietitians work hard to calculate and anticipate the nutritional needs a person might have due to a wide variety of scenarios, including illnesses, trauma or surgeries. They estimate nutritional needs for regular bodily functions, then adjust for any additional factors such as activity, wounds, breathing difficulties, burns, surgical incisions, infections, fractures and more.
Nutrition and healing
The body burns more calories and protein than usual during the healing process. For example, most adults need 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, but during wound healing, that need increases to 1.25-1.5 grams, and sometimes more depending on the individual. A dietitian will determine the correct amount for someone based on their current medical condition. Generally, a balanced diet and adequate hydration are crucial components of healing. However, a dietitian may recommend a multivitamin to fill any nutritional gaps if a person’s diet lacks vital micronutrients such as zinc, B vitamins, or vitamins A, C, D and E. Essential elements that help the body heal and improve overall health. A dietitian will also assess a patient’s diet to ensure proper nutrition. Based on their findings, the dietitian may offer additional meal or snack recipes, provide education, recommend vitamin, mineral, or oral nutrition supplementation to help meet any dietary or nutritional needs.
Supplementation
As previously mentioned, oral nutrition supplements can aid in the healing process, as many patients in the hospital tend to have decreased appetite, putting them at risk for malnutrition. Key indicators can include:
- Unintended weight loss
- Not eating well
- Fat and muscle wasting
- Weakness
- Fatigue
A malnourished individual is at risk for and will likely have delayed wound healing and an increased risk of infection.
Final thoughts
A dietitian can positively impact clinical outcomes for patients, shorten the length of stay in the hospital and even reduce the number of return admissions after discharge. They are valuable pieces of the healing process, helping patients develop the knowledge and skills necessary for recovery and improved quality of life.
Sources
Evans, R. E., & Dodd, K. D. (2021, September 26). Nutrition and Healing Wounds. The Geriatric Dietitian. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
