NSI Determine Checklists - Grandma and me

Grandma

My grandma, 79, scored a 6 on the NSI Determine Checklist, which puts her at “high nutritional risk.” Her eating habits are affected by GERD and she tries to avoid any processed foods high in sodium because of hypertension. She also eats alone most of the time and eats fewer than two meals per day. Although she dislikes eating fruits and vegetables, she does manage to obtain some of them in her diet. She drinks plenty of milk and uses dairy products liberally. She doesn’t drink alcohol, has enough money for food she needs (although she said she could use more), and only takes one prescription medication. She has not gained or lost 10 pounds without wanting to in the last six months. She shops and cooks for herself and reports that she also picks at food throughout the day.

Me

I, 31, scored a 0 on the NSI Determine Checklist. I have no conditions that affect my diet, I eat balanced meals along with vegetables, fruits and milk products, and don’t drink more than one glass of wine daily. I have no mouth problems, have money to buy food, eat with others most of the time, don’t take any prescriptions, have maintained the same weight for years, and often shop and cook for myself.

Thoughts

Although there is a stark contrast between my nutritional risk and that of my grandmother’s, it doesn’t escape me that in 48 years I could be in the same situation as she is now. I realize that when I eat too much I too am susceptible to GERD symptoms such as reflux and heartburn. This may affect my nutritional risk in the future unless I am conscientious enough to make change in my diet to reduce inflammation in my esophogaus. As for my grandma, her high nutritional risk concerns me greatly because at her age, she should be more focused on nutrition than I am. We will need to change that.