Nutritional therapists help with the composition of a diet for recovery
The Vesna Children's Hospital in Janské Lázně has started with experiential events to educate about proper nutrition. They want to inspire children and their companions to a healthy lifestyle in the area of nutrition in an interesting way. The idea was brought to life by the nutrition therapist of the Vesna Children's Hospital, Lucie Šírová, and the head of the catering service, Petra Cachová, who brought it to life together with the help of Diana Šírová, colleagues Lenka Třečková, Kateřina Martynková, and the head of the kitchen, Veronika Grešlová.
The first awareness-raising event on proper nutrition took place in Vesna in April and was very well received. "As the first topic, we chose to learn about fruits and vegetables. At each of the five stations, the children had a task presented in a playful way. Blindfolded, they had to taste what we had just put in their mouths and then guess the correct variety. It was interesting to watch how they concentrated. We were pleased that even the 16-year-old boys were disciplined. And we have to say that everyone did quite well, although they often confused, for example, an apple with a pear and an orange with a tangerine. We also had avocado, but few people recognized it," Lucie Šírová and Veronika Grešlová informed about the course.
Children also made fruit skewers, sorted healthy and unhealthy foods into pictures, completed quizzes on the topic of fruits and vegetables, and colored coloring books. Parents could also take home recipes or various informative leaflets on the topic.
A second event took place in May, this time on the topic of legumes, which the organizers organized on the same principle. "The goal was to draw attention to a healthy diet in a fun way, both for children and adults. In the future, we would like to repeat the event and focus on other food groups that are important in our diet, such as cereals, milk, dairy products and others.""," the nutritional therapist clarified.
She emphasized that vegetables and fruit are important in Vesna and their offer has now been expanded. Food is served six times a day, dinner is early and the menu is thus enriched with one more dish in the form of a second dinner. The kitchen in Vesna cooks 180 portions for children and 140 for their companions, because most children come here with one of their parents. If we add the number of meals for employees, they cook around 400 portions of food here.
Let's get back to the diet menus you create for clients...
In addition to the eight basic diets, which also include age-based diets, there are also various individual diets that we create based on nutritional restrictions and the needs of children or accompanying persons. Mothers usually inform us of dietary restrictions before they arrive, or we further adjust the menu during their stay according to current individual needs (mixing food, weight loss, sparing diet for digestive problems, etc.). With individual diets, there is usually also an ongoing consultation regarding their menu.
What are the main dietary changes?
Most often, these are adjustments for clients who have various food allergies, intolerances or suffer from celiac disease. Less often, we also encounter metabolic disorders, eating disorders or children with special liquid enteral nutrition. Furthermore, some children with autism do not want food of a certain color, or refuse certain types of food. Children also come to us for weight loss stays. We also have cases where parents want a special diet, for example a vegetarian one, which they pay extra for, like any other diet that is not prescribed by a doctor.
Do you also provide dietary advice in connection with treatment?
Yes, anyone who is interested can stop by and get advice or discuss various questions about diet with us. We are here to properly inform clients about disease prevention and treatment with appropriate nutrition. We also provide individual consultations at the request of a doctor.
Children with neurological diseases often have difficulty eating...
Patients with neurological diseases very often suffer from malnutrition, as their food intake can be complicated by various symptoms of their disease, such as loss of appetite, blinking, swallowing disorders, constipation, diarrhea, impaired psychomotor skills, and many others.
We also try to respond to the needs of children who are not thriving due to insufficient dietary intake. Ensuring the intake of the necessary energy contributes to more effective rehabilitation and treatment.
We mix food for children who suffer from swallowing disorders and infants.
How do babies who are also treated here eat?
Infants are here from the age of three months and individual consultations are necessary for their nutrition, as each baby is at a different stage of tasting new foods. The diet of toddlers also varies greatly, some are still on porridge and milk, while others already eat classic food almost like adults.
What is the most important thing about the profession of a nutritional therapist?
To ensure that patients and their companions receive adequate nutrition during their stay. The type of diet must correspond to the type of disease. However, our work is not only about compiling diets. We also deal with spreading knowledge about appropriate nutrition, which is important for humans, can prevent various diseases and contributes to the proper functioning of the body.
Do you enjoy your work?
I enjoy the wide variety here, you can meet all kinds of dietary restrictions. I also like children and working with them. My work is also fulfilling thanks to events, such as the one about educating people about healthy eating in a fun way.
What is your favorite food?
Sushi, but I've only made it myself once.
And what do you like to cook yourself?
Meals that are ready in half an hour. I don't like lengthy digestion in the kitchen, I prefer to prepare various mixtures of meat with vegetables, couscous or rice.
Thank you.
Zdenka Hanyšová Whole
