I worked as an inpatient Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator at a large hospital in New York City for six years. During my time there I learned so much about the trials and tribulations of the hospitalization process, and the stress it can cause not only for the patients, but for the patients’ caregivers as well. The last thing a caregiver wants to see is their child in pain or admitted to a hospital. Aside from patient care, my secondary goal is to always ensure that caregivers are aware of the diagnosis and what it means, as well as the plan for treatment. Ultimately, it is imperative that everyone in the room feel safe and comfortable.
A caregivers presence plays a vital role in a child’s recovery. If caregivers are frequently away from the bedside for meals, they risk missing important information from the care team. Similarly, and what I encountered more often, is that it delays patient care and discharge. If a caregiver is not present, information cannot be delivered. In some cases, a caregiver’s absence has resulted in prolonged stays (sometimes overnight), and added unnecessary stress to the patient and their family.
So you might be thinking: “Ok, so the adult shouldn’t leave the room when a child is admitted, got it.” At most hospitals, I would say wrong. A crucial role for caregivers, as part of their child’s care team, is ensuring that the patient be nourished. But they themselves need to be nourished as well. In my experience, caregivers often have to leave the patient’s bedside in order to achieve this. This is the great thing about Feeding Families Foundation’s Parent Plate Program. At hospitals where the Parent Plate Program is available, caregivers do not need to leave their child’s side to find food. When a parent orders food for their child, they can add a tray for themselves paid for by Feeding Families Foundation.
Ever heard the term “hangry”? It’s real, people. When you are hungry, mood censors in your brain that affect stress, tension, and anger are triggered. For children, proper nutrition is essential for recovery, cognitive function, and overall well-being. Caregivers also need to maintain good nutrition to be the best support system for their child. Would you want a hungry doctor treating your child? No! And in the cases of pediatric care, the caregiver shares their responsibilities in the child’s treatment. Plain and simple: a hungry individual is not at their best, and a hospitalized child’s caregiver needs to be at their best for the patient. Overall, a well-nourished family contributes to a more effective and supportive healthcare environment.
Now that you have read all that, your new thought might be: “Ok, so it’s important that the caregiver has food so that they don’t become hangry, got it.” Not exactly. Avoiding being “hangry” is why caregivers and patients should eat. The more important question is WHAT should they eat? Macronutrients are essential nutrients that the body requires in relatively large amounts to function properly. Carbohydrate’s are the body’s primary source of energy. They include sugars, starches, and fiber. Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, which the body uses for immediate energy or stores for later use. Proteins are crucial for building and repairing tissues. They are made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks of the body. Proteins play a key role in muscle development, immune function, and various biochemical processes. Fats are another energy source and are essential for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K). They also play a role in cell structure, hormone production, and insulation. Balancing the intake of these macronutrients is essential for maintaining good health and supporting various bodily functions.
Micronutrients are essential nutrients required by the body in smaller quantities compared to macronutrients. They include vitamins and minerals, and despite being needed in smaller amounts, they play crucial roles in various physiological processes. Vitamins are divided into water-soluble and fat-soluble. Each vitamin has specific functions, such as immune system support, bone health, and antioxidant protection. Minerals are essential for the structure of bones and teeth, fluid balance, oxygen transport, nerve function, and enzymatic reactions. Ensuring an adequate intake of micronutrients through a diverse and balanced diet is crucial for maintaining health, preventing deficiencies, and supporting the body’s intricate biochemical processes.
Integrating a system that provides healthy, well-balanced meal trays for BOTH parents and patients could indeed contribute to better care coordination, early discharges, and adherence to nutrition treatment plans. This approach ensures that parents remain actively engaged in their child’s healthcare journey, and can minimize disruptions to their care, as well as optimize the overall recovery process.
Melissa Weinstein MS RD CDE CDN