Cultural Specific Diet for a Mexican American Patient with New Onset of Hypertension

Bean Burritos

Bean Burritos will be the diet recommended for the patient who is experiencing early onset hypertension.

The Cultural Connection

The diet’s principal argument will be its cultural connection to the ethno-racial group, as well as its nutritional worth.

Ingredients and Nutritional Value

The wrapped tortilla will be filled with black beans, Mexican-style rice, lettuce, and veggies, making it a high-protein, low-fat, fiber-rich dish rich in vitamins and minerals.

The Importance of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Plan

The importance of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) plan will be a key emphasis of the description. The patient will be enlightened on its criticality in reducing the risk of hypertension as well as its cultural relevance to the Mexican Americans. The patient will also be informed about recent behavioral developments, where research work have shown that Mexican Americans are more susceptible for abandoning their traditional dietary values. While their traditional foods were known for being rich in fruits, vegetables, and fibers, recent studies conducted in Detroit and rural central Washington have shown that women of Mexican origin are more susceptible to high blood pressure because of high intake of dairy fats and fried foods as well as limited portions of lean meat, fruits, and vegetables in their meals (Drago & Goody, 2010).

Dietary Guidelines

Based on the findings, one dietary guideline for reducing the risk of hypertension will be increasing the portion of fruit and vegetables to 8 servings every day. Low sodium diets, as well as low cholesterol and fat diets, will be encouraged. The patient will also be informed to avoid processed and frozen foods, and instead, focus on getting newly picked products. Other food materials to be taken on a daily basis will be grains. The demand for animal proteins will be addressed by taking 90g of lean meat, seafood, or skinless chicken (White, Duncan & Baumle, 2013). The dairy product will entail 250g of low-fat yogurt or 1 glass of fat-free milk to supply calcium. Similarly, weekly intake of either a half cup of nuts, seeds, and legumes will be integrated into the DASH plan. The patient will be informed that the diet is evidence-based as well as culturally conscious, as the gastronomic elements recognize the heritage of the patient, where traditional Mexican diets are characterized by fiber materials, leafy vegetables, as well as fruits.

References

Drago, L., & Goody, C. (2010). Cultural food practices (1st ed.). Chicago, Ill.: American Dietetic Association.

White, L., Duncan, G., & Baumle, W. (2013). Medical-surgical nursing (1st ed.). Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning.