In my last post, I wrote about the idea that volition, or the desire for change in behavior is only a part of the process of change. There are other obstacles people face in this process. For example, in changing one’s food habits, one such obstacle is either not having access to the foods that are suggested or not knowing how to prepare them.
I have a somewhat unique opportunity as a dietitian to make a difference in removing some of these obstacles. I volunteer each month at the Jewish Family and Children’s services food bank near my home. This program allows clients to come to the facility and select the foods they want from among our available choices. I help clients to select food that is best for them, and help them with ideas for preparation. The agency also offers handouts with ideas and recipes. I also do food demonstrations, which add a very practical element to the “how to” of food prep. This month we had butternut squash for our clients. To me, the prep of this vegetable is obvious because I know how to cook!
Some of the clients looked at the whole squash we offered, and looked confused. They had never seen the vegetable unpeeled and uncooked. They might have walked right past and not taken it, but I was there are able to give a handout explaining, and go over it with them. Several said things like, “oh, I could do that” or “that’s not too hard” which was very reassuring for me.
During a distribution in the future, I plan to offer samples of cooked vegetables that are available either raw or canned, to help clients improve the variety of vegetables they are willing to eat and offer their families. With this knowledge they are able to really make choices about the foods they eat.
Comments? What do you think?
