Page 323 - Nutrition Counseling and Education Skills: A Guide for Professionals

they consume. Mobile phone pictures have the advantage of documenting the date and time the food was
consumed. The use of visual media like this helps create an interactive learning situation resembling a team
effort.12 Mobile technology programs linking Internet applications (“apps”) are widely available to download
for recording and storage of such information. Some programs can even be used to scan food labels and
translate their nutrition information into diet exchanges or systems.

You can create a file of menus from local restaurant and fast-food chains to use to “practice” with your
clients. Many menus can be found on the web sites of the restaurants themselves, which are often more
current. Scanning the items into a computer will allow for presentation to a larger group.
Food Models and Measurements
Food models are representations of the real objects. Many professionals maintain an inventory of three-
dimensional plastic food models. They are helpful in estimating client portion sizes, for example, during an
assessment of food intake and in teaching portion sizes on controlled caloric intakes. Besides the visual
stimulation, putting the model in the person’s hands makes a more active experience using another of the
senses—touch. Life-sized food models may be purchased from commercial sources. You can also make your
own food models using craft materials, such as illustrating different fluid volumes with resins in clear
glassware.

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