Diabetes. A disease that is common in the United States, especially Type II. Look at your resident population and see how many have a diagnosis of diabetes. Now look at their medication orders, how many have orders for insulin or worse, sliding scale “coverage”? Probably more than a handful would be my guess.

A recent study in Australia showed that a diet rich in green, leafy, cruciferous (broccoli, kale, cauliflower, etc.) may improve glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. That is great news! The bad news? A high intake of potato fries or chips may worsen glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Honestly, I don’t see many post-acute care centers serving French fries very often, but it is also difficult to serve fresh “green and leafy” vegetables daily!

We have come a long way from strictly using canned everything and are much better at serving healthy, fresh, vegetables and fruits. Can we do better? Absolutely, everyone can! The takeaway here is, are you aware of what your menus look like, how many fresh fruits and vegetables you are serving, how they are prepared, etc.? My guess is you are looking at your monthly dietary budget, not necessarily what is being ordered. Order a test tray randomly/unannounced, check the monthly menu, watch the tray line, ask questions, interview residents and families. Maybe it won’t make a difference in a resident’s accu-check result, but it might improve the quality of their dining experience. Stay well and stay informed!