Together it is possible: Nutritional change with family support

Who talk about nutritional change, many imagine a personal journey: diet, new menu or habits. But the truth is more complex – this journey almost never happens in an empty space. Whether it is a weight loss, dealing with allergy or nutritional change for health reasons, the family is a major player in the success of the process. In preparation for family day, this is a great time to examine how the family mantle affects the ability to make a good intention of a real result.

Stories from the clinic

“Keep yourself”, “Eat Healthy”, “You will lose a little weight” – phrases that have been in many homes in Israel. What is first heard as a simple concern or personalized advice quickly becomes a real family challenge. How do you deal with it together? And what is the role of the family in the success of the nutritional change? Here are some examples from the field.

A woman pushes her partner to turn to nutritional treatment: “Your cholesterol in the sky, and the belly she has grown in recent years does not add to you.” He comes to the clinic, prevents her from darling, and the dietitian explains what to eat, what to reduce and how to incorporate the change in everyday life. The treatment continues with monitoring and persistence over time. But the patient does not work alone – the family comes into the picture. Does weekly shopping change? Are family meals tailored? And is there time to cook at home, especially if the couple is used to cooking only on weekends? And if the family loves restaurants – do you continue? In what places? And what invite?

In another case, a parent comes with an adolescent who wants to lose weight. The girl is struggling with favors like chocolate and snacks. The treatment focuses on dealing with its impulses, but it turns out very quickly that without family support it is more difficult. Are there high -quality and high quality meals in the house? Are fruits and vegetables available? And what about the eating habits of the rest of the family? On the kitchen table is a cookie jar, and in the drawer snacks – “for those who want,” the parents explain. The brothers eat a little of them, but like it’s there. So should they “be punished” because their sister in a diet? And who is responsible for meals for the adolescent – she or the parents?

Both of these cases are a drop in the sea of ​​stories that come to the clinic. The patient is in front of the dietitian, but around him is the family – even if not physically in the room. It is important to understand that there are no definitive answers to all issues that arise. What suits one family will not necessarily fit another. The goal is to extract the considerations and make informed decisions tailored to each home.

Key to success

Consideration is the basis for success in such a process. The intention is to understand the other, even when he fails or is wrong, instead of judging him. For example, when a parent sees that the child has difficulty resisting sweets at home, he can reduce their presence. Or when he realizes that his sister, who is in milk, is frustrated by her limitations, he may give up the Milky Dream Day cake he chose and ask for an alternative.

But what to do when not everyone at home needs or wants the change? When a girl is diagnosed with celiac, a teenager wants to lose weight or a partner seeks to adjust the diet to menopause – the individual’s match is required, but sometimes the whole family. At the beginning of the process you should convene and plan: neat meals, suitable food in the pantry, time to prepare food and even resources for exercise. It is sometimes necessary to learn new recipes, and it requires time and money.

The family’s power is measured not only in logistics, but mainly in emotional support – encouraging good times and backing when it is difficult. It is important to remember that this is a long -term process. Sometimes there is a full mobilization at the beginning, but as time goes on, the support fades, and the patient may feel alone.

Opportunity for family growth

Nutritional change is an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen the family. Whether it is dealing with an allergy, whether it is a health or personal decision, it is a moment when you can grow together – studying a new process, developing empathy and discovering the power of mutual support. As a nutritional, we repeatedly see how a family that enlisted properly makes a real change.

Ahead of family day, it’s time to realize that the way for successful nutritional change is going on. It is important to contact a nutritionist that you can adapt the process not only to the patient, but to the entire family system – listen to everyone, give practical tools and even incorporate the family with consulting when needed.