Nutrients are essential food constituents that support bodily functions, and insufficient intake leads to health issues. Factors such as physical fatigue, environment, and meal irregularities affect nutritional needs, which can be assessed through anthropometry, clinical methods, and biochemical tests. Diet modifications are necessary for disease management, aimed at improving health, facilitating recovery, and accommodating patient preferences.

1. NUTRITIONAL NEEDS
Vikash kumar

2. NUTRITION
DEFINITION-
Nutrients are defined as the constituents of food,
which perform important functions in our body. If
these nutrients are not present in our body in
sufficient amount, the result is ill health.
Important nutrients include carbohydrate,
proteins, lipids, vitamins, minerals & water.

3. IMPORTANCE-
• Supplies nutrients for energy. Energy nutrients
include carbohydrate, fats,& proteins.
• Supplies nutrients to build & maintain body tissues.
• Food supplies heat & energy for work & play.
• Food supplies materials for regulation or control of
body process & protection of the body.
• It gives a feeling of security.

4. FACTOR AFFECTING NUTRITIONAL NEEDS-
❖Physical , mental fatigue.
❖Hurry, worry & fear.
❖Unpleasant environment & experiences.
❖Lack of exercise.
❖Irregular meals.
❖Long spacing of meal timings.
❖Hospitalization.

5. ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIONAL NEEDS:
VARIABLES-
Anthropometry measurement- it is
measurement of body height, weight,
length & head circumference.
Clinical Methods Of Assessing The
Nutritional Status- clinical methods of
assessing nutritional status involve checking
sign of deficiency at specific places on the
body or asking the patient whether they
have any symptoms that might suggest
nutrient deficiency includes-

6. Pale palm & conjunctiva or gets tired
easily ,loss of appetite indicate anaemia,
deficiency of iron, folic etc.
Bitot’s spot ( whitish patchy triangular
lesions on the side of the eyes) indicate
vitamin A deficiency.
Goitre ( swelling on the front of the neck)
indicate iodine deficiency disorder.
PEM ( PROTEIN ENERGY MALNUTRITION)
indicate protein deficiency.

7. BIOCHEMICAL TEST-
Biochemical test can be used to
detect the deficiency by analyzing blood, urine,
stool. For eg. Estimation of haemoglobin in blood
to detect iron deficiency.

8. THERAPEUTIC DIET
Diet in disease must be planned as part of the
complete care of the patient. Many
modification may have to be made according to
the disease and condition of the patient.
OBJECTIVE-
• To improve the general health
• To promote healing
• To prevent dehydration
• To facilitate tissue repair & growth.

9. PRINCIPALS-
• The diet must be planned according to the habits
of the patient based on culture, religion,
socioeconomic status, personal preference.
• As far as possible, changes in the diet should be
brought gradually and adequate explanation are
given with the changes made, if any.
• Whatever diet prescribed , there should be
variety of selection

10. REGULAR HOSPITAL DIET-
FULL DIET- it is a regular well balanced diet. Its
vegetarian or non vegetarian, this is for patients
who do not have any special modification.
SOFT DIET- it is given to provide light and easily
digestible food.
BLAND DIET- a bland diet consisting of foods that
are generally soft low in dietary fibre, cooked &
not spicy, the food are easily digestible, free
from substances which might cause irritation of
the gastrointestinal tract, used mainly for
patient with gastrointestinal problems.

11. FEEDING PATIENTS
• Enteral
• Means “within or by means of the
gastrointestinal tract.”
• Oral
• Tube feedings
Parenteral
• Uses the veins
• Persons with inadequate GI function

12. Enteral Nutrition:
• Enteral nutrition: The delivery of nutrients by
tube into the gastrointestinal tract, commonly
known as tube feeding.
• Parenteral Nutrition: Parenteral nutrition: The
delivery of nutrients by vein.

13. NASOGASTRIC TUBE INSERTION