Intervention Week 6: Diet

Diet Plan Thursday (30th May) – Tuesday (4th May)

The Alcohol and Drug Foundation states that, “Eating well can reduce the mood swings that are often a feature of withdrawal. Try to encourage good nutrition as a part of the withdrawal process and ongoing treatment plan. Poor dietary habits can contribute to increased cravings and the risk of relapse. A varied diet rich in good carbohydrates and proteins, fresh fruit and vegetables, essential fats (oily fish, nuts, etc.) and plenty of water can help minimise withdrawal symptoms”(2018).

This foundation recommends a healthy diet to reduce withdrawal effects that our client may experience, especially as we are gradually decreasing their alcohol intake.

The Australian Dietary Guidelines not only to consume less alcohol but, guideline 2 states, “Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods from these five food groups every day:

• Plenty of vegetables of different types and colours, and legumes/beans

• Fruit

• Grain (cereal) foods, mostly wholegrain and/or high cereal fibre varieties, such as breads, cereals, rice, pasta, noodles, polenta, couscous, oats, quinoa and barley

• Lean meats and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts and seeds, and legumes/beans

• Milk, yoghurt, cheese and/or their alternatives, mostly reduced fat”

Therefore, in the diet I have included a variety of foods from the Australian Dietary Guidelines. I would like to make this clear for our client: Please consume low fat dairy goods, a variety of different coloured vegetables, wholegrain foods. For example, when I have stated “Chicken Burrito with Salad Salsa,” please assume to eat wholegrain burrito bread. Please click here to see the portion sizes for each food group

Reflection

What did you do?

This week I created a diet for my client as research shows a nutritious diet helps with alcohol withdrawal symptoms, as we are reducing the his alcohol intake. The diet I created contains food from the 5 food groups (Vegetables, Fruit, Grain, Meat and Dairy), and the good nutrition possessed in these foods should keep my client happy and energised, rather than experiencing cravings and tiredness. The diet is simple and easy to follow. Furthermore, to ensure that our client does feel included in this program, I have implemented foods into the diet that he enjoys (chocolate and chicken caesar salad). However, I have put a slight twist to the chocolate through making it dark chocolate, this is a healthier chocolate with good fats (Healthline, 2019).

How did it go?

I believe this last aspect of the intervention went well as it was a nice finish to the overall program. Our client gave us positive feedback saying that he enjoyed these different cuisines. He also stated that he did not feel the temptation to drink more, therefore, he abided by the schedule. Our client further experienced good sleep, and is coping well with his family. But, our client did say that he consumed alcohol on Friday when he was not supposed to. However, I expected this behaviour (similar to last week), as he is trying to reduce his high consumption. On a positive note, this was the only night he drank extra. Furthermore, our client dislikes porridge, so he consumed butter on toast. Our client felt guilty about this, however, it was the first day of the diet, therefore, he may have missed consuming his normal foods for breakfast. Other than this, the intervention went well.

How did you feel?

This week I was feeling slightly bittersweet as the intervention has come to the end, however I was happy because I saw substantial progress in our client, and was so glad to see that I have helped to change his life. Furthermore, I quite enjoyed making this aspect of the intervention as I enjoy talking about food and enjoy researching nutrition.

How was the client feeling? Client feedback.

What was the most enjoyable aspect of the diet?

I enjoyed eating a variety of foods that were really tasty.

What are some benefits you experienced?

I had good sleep and did not fell tempted to consume alcohol. I also cooperated with my family well.

The aim of this intervention was to help you with your withdrawal symptoms. Did the diet assist?

Yes the diet allowed me to have sustained energy throughout the day. However, I did drink alcohol on Friday… feeling guilty. However, the diet was really good in helping me to drink less.

If I were to do this intervention again, what would you suggest I do to improve the effectiveness of the program?

Next time please include some Indian curry into the diet as I need to have foods that I am used to. Also, please outline how much of each food I should be consuming as I do not want to go on the website and read how much fruit/vegetables to eat etc.

Was it successful? Why?

Yes, this intervention was successful. I accomplished the goal of helping the client to help with his withdrawal symptoms through creating a diet which was nutritious. The diet evidently had positive impacts on his family and his overall health. Even though I client struggled to abide by the schedule the first few days, he followed the plan well.

What changes need to occur?

If I were to create this diet plan again, I would make changes to suit our client. Firstly, I would specifically outline in the diet, how much of each food he needs to consume so that he does not have to go online every time to check. Further, I will include some Indian cuisine, as our client enjoys eating these types of food. Lastly, I will need to see how I can prevent my client from not abiding by the schedule as this has occurred the last two weeks as well. Maybe an incentive?

Free Blogging

This concludes our Alcohol Intervention, hope you have enjoyed watching us change a person’s life. Watch this space for a final reflection.