DENVER, March 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- DaVita Kidney
Care, a division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc. (NYSE: DVA) and
a leading provider of kidney care services, is celebrating its more
than 3,600 dietitians and social workers during March for their
distinctive and important roles in patient care.
March is National Kidney Month and also marks both National
Nutrition Month and National Social Work Month.
"Our dietitians and social workers engage, empower and support
our patients to help build an environment where we can provide the
best clinical outcomes in the industry," said Debbie Benner, registered dietitian and vice
president for DaVita Kidney Care.
"DaVita is a clinical leader in the new CMS Five Star Rating System
and these teammates helped us get there. They continue to help
guide our patients through their journeys with kidney
disease."
In honor of National Social Work Month, DaVita Kidney Care social workers are
celebrating the launch of the Empowering Patients Program. This
program is designed to enhance social workers' skill set to further
help improve patients' quality of life through behavioral
activation, mindfulness and coping skills.
For National Nutrition Month, DaVita
Kidney Care dietitians are hosting community education
events across the nation to celebrate and encourage healthy eating.
Dietitians from Houston provide
nine tips for a healthy diet:
Food is not the enemy
Food is actually the body's greatest friend. Use it to your
advantage. If you're watching your weight, enjoy breakfast like a
king, eat lunch like a prince and have dinner like a pauper to help
reach weight goals. Eating five to six small meals per day helps
boost your metabolism, which slows down when your body goes too
long without food.
Start at the grocery store
When you go to the grocery store, shop the perimeter. This is
where the freshest and least processed foods are, including fruits,
vegetables, meats, eggs and dairy. The center aisles often carry
most of the prepackaged, processed foods.
Slow down
Get in the habit of reading food labels and pay attention to
serving sizes detailed on the label compared to what you normally
eat. Get back to basics with more home/slow-cooked foods versus
fast food fare.
"Healthy and Nutritious" does not mean "Restrictions and
Limitations"
Consistency and moderation is key – don't exclude any particular
food group. Variety is the spice of life. Contrary to popular
belief, carbohydrates are safe to eat and eating healthfully does
not have to be boring.
Make it colorful
Make your plate a rainbow of color. Choose a variety of fruits,
vegetables, grains and protein sources at each meal. Dietitians
call this the "plate method." It can work at home or on-the-go to
help maintain a heart-healthy, portion-controlled meal plan for any
lifestyle. And don't stress out about that cookie or piece of cake.
It's OK to fit in a dessert occasionally in a healthy
diet.
Protein, protein, protein
If you need more energy in the morning, try adding protein to
your breakfast. A good source of protein at all meals helps
maintain fullness during the day. Try low-fat yogurt, high fiber
cereal and fruit for breakfast. Another healthy choice is
plant-based proteins such as lentils and quinoa which are low-fat
and high in fiber.
Drink water
Remember that your diet doesn't just consist of food. Sodas,
coffee, sports drinks and other sweetened beverages can add a lot
of calories to your daily total. And you might want to limit
artificially sweetened beverages. They may have only a few
calories, but their sweet taste can entice you to eat other less
nutritious foods. Water is a better option.
Get educated
Consult a physician or other health care professional like a
registered dietitian before making any changes to your diet.
Licensed health professionals can help tailor a plan to meet your
nutritional needs. Local Kidney Smart classes can also provide
helpful information for kidney diet and nutrition. Find a class
near you at DaVita.com/KSClass.
Specialty diets
For those with chronic illnesses – kidney disease, diabetes,
heart disease, etc. – diet and nutrition can play an important part
in slowing down the progression of disease.
For quick and easy kidney-friendly recipes, download
DaVita Kidney Care's new cookbook,
Today's Kidney Diet: Healthy Kidney-Friendly Meals in 30 Minutes or
Less at DaVita.com/Cookbook.
About DaVita Kidney
Care
DaVita Kidney Care is a division of
DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc., a Fortune 500(r) company that,
through its operating divisions, provides a variety of health care
services to patient populations throughout the United States and abroad. A leading
provider of dialysis services in the
United States, DaVita Kidney
Care treats patients with chronic kidney failure and end
stage renal disease. DaVita Kidney
Care strives to improve patients' quality of life by
innovating clinical care, and by offering integrated treatment
plans, personalized care teams and convenient health-management
services. As of Dec. 31, 2014,
DaVita Kidney Care operated or
provided administrative services at 2,179 outpatient dialysis
centers located in the United
States serving approximately 173,000 patients. The company
also operated 91 outpatient dialysis centers located in 10
countries outside the United
States. DaVita Kidney Care
supports numerous programs dedicated to creating positive,
sustainable change in communities around the world. The company's
leadership development initiatives and social responsibility
efforts have been recognized by Fortune, Modern Healthcare,
Newsweek and WorldBlu. For more information, please
visit DaVita.com.
Contact Information
Media:
David Gilles
(303) 876-7497
David.Gilles@DaVita.com
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