Final answer:
Current standards of care in nutrition emphasize a balanced and varied diet that provides sufficient nutrients and calories, encourages calorie control, moderation, and a holistic approach that includes a more active lifestyle.
Step-by-step explanation:
Current standards of care when it comes to nutrition focus on a holistic approach that encourages the intake of healthy, whole foods within a balanced and varied diet, while also achieving calorie control through matching energy intake with physical activity. Key quantitative recommendations suggest limiting specific dietary components that are of public health concern in the United States to help individuals achieve healthy eating patterns within calorie limits. These components typically include sugars, saturated fats, and sodium among others. These standards encompass:
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- Adequacy, providing sufficient essential nutrients, fiber, and adequate calories.
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- Balance, avoiding overconsumption of one nutrient at the expense of others.
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- Calorie control to ensure energy intake matches energy expenditure.
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- Moderation, avoiding excessive or insufficient intake of foods.
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- Variety, incorporating different foods from each food group regularly.
Furthermore, these trends consider dietary choices within the context of overall wellness, advocating a healthier approach to life that includes being more active. Public health interventions have also targeted the elimination of specific micronutrient deficiencies, such as the previous global campaign to iodize salt which significantly reduced iodine deficiency rates from about 70 percent to 30 percent. Thus, nutritional care standards aim to address both individual and public health needs focusing on a diet that is not only sufficient in quantity but also in quality, meeting dietary needs and food preferences.