Last Updated on January 3, 2023 by Neelam Singh
What is personalized nutrition? Personalized nutrition also sometimes called precision nutrition, focuses on the individual rather than groups of people.
Several nutrition research studies have already proven that eating healthy (whole grains, plant-based protein, fruits, nuts, lots of vegetables, and so on) is essential to prevent malnutrition as well as to prevent disease/illness. Although nutrition guidelines can be applied to the general populace and large groups of people, individual variation continues to be an important consideration in diet and nutrition counseling.
Personalization can be based on response to foods/nutrients that are dependent on genotypic or phenotypic characteristics, and analysis of current behavior, food preferences, barriers, dietary interventions, which motivate and enable each person to make appropriate changes. Gut microbiome and metabolic response to food also enables to plan a well-suited diet for an individual.
Generalized dietary recommendations have a limited impact and often lead to modest improvements in food intake. On the other hand, personalization of dietary recommendations helps to motivate a person towards making dietary changes. Diet counseling is not just talking about food but also about behavior change. An individualized meal plan supported by scientific evidence has better compliance than a general guideline.
Although qualified dietitians have always emphasized on and practiced personalized meal plans that are tailor-made to suit individual needs, this practice has been diluted by many unqualified persons doling out dietary advise. Adding to the confusion regarding nutrition is the false information that spreads rapidly through social media platforms.
Do remember that one diet or one meal plan does not suit all. Personalized nutrition and diet counseling is important for every individual and the right way to go.
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