Healthcare Intervention & Patient Management

Building a supportive environment for interprofessional integrating among healthcare providers is a crucial first step in addressing non communicable diseases from a medical, social, and economic standpoint. Our role as healthcare providers includes;

• Provide nutritional counseling to our patients regarding the importance of diet and lifestyle.

• Monitor noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk factors, (neurodegenerative, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer), and assess the presence of comorbidities including mental health disorders.

• Focus on interprofessional collaborative efforts among healthcare professional for referral options.

• Support behaviors for children and adolescence; limit screen time, consumption of sugar sweetened beverages (SSB) and ultra processed foods, engage in physical activity, and increase consumption of whole foods.

• Endorse policies and actions that promote access to a healthy environment, health sector response, and food industry regulations.

Advancements in Technology

Continuous glucose monitors (CGM) have become increasing available and reliable to improve A1C levels in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, reduce hypoglycemia events, and improve time in target glucose range. The CGM device, which is applied to the skin and synchronized to a smart phone, measures interstitial glucose levels in real-time, allowing a patient to monitor and make improvements in diet, see the benefits of physical activity on glucose levels, and reduce the number of finger sticks. Studies demonstrate it can empower the patient to take control of their health and improve A1C levels by monitoring glycemic variability.¹²

Consumer demand for nutritional information is increasing. Mobile applications like Yuka, Spoonful, and FoodSwitch help with production selection by providing detailed nutritional information. Scanning a foods barcode with these apps gives consumers essential insight, enhancing their knowledge and control over food purchases.¹¹ Take is an opportunity to try one of the food scanning apps.¹

Sweets can be enjoyed in moderation but be mindful of added sugars in other parts of your diet, such as in drinks, breads, cereals, salad dressing, condiments, and sauces.

• Energy drinks, soft drinks, and fruit juice are prime sources of liquid carbohydrates that contribute to extra calories and weight gain with little or no nutritional benefit. Instead, enjoy herbal teas or carbonated water with fresh lemon in place of fruit juices. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon to coffee in place of added cane sugar.

• Choosing whole, unprocessed foods, with a limited ingredient list, is one way to avoid consuming added sugars unintentionally. Whole fruit, steel-cut oats, plain Greek yogurt are healthier breakfast choices compared to ready-to-eat breakfast cereals, bars, and pastries, yet are still convenient.

• Avoid low-fat ‘diet’ foods which tended to be higher in sugar. Instead, consume smaller portions of the regular version.

• Balance your lean proteins and carbohydrates to help manage food cravings; consuming legumes, low-fat dairy and meats with whole grains can help slow digestion and improve satiety.

• Reduce sugar in recipes by adding spices to boost flavor while adding nutritional value; cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and vanilla all have additional health benefits.

• Snack on fresh fruit, nuts and seeds, string cheese or plain yogurt to balance blood sugar and energy levels.