Fast Track Analysis

Tutorials:

  1. 7-Day Food Intake

  2. Prepare Nutrition Prescription

  3. Implement Nutrition Prescription

  4. Iron Deficiency Anemia(Client PDF Handout)

  5. Global Issues

Tutorial 1: Obtaining and analyzing a 7 Day Food Intake Record for Protein and KCalorie Intake using the Higgins method

    Overview of Oral Interview for Obtaining a 7 Day Food Intake Record

Please Note:

   This method is used at the Montreal Diet Dispensary by qualified nutritionists and is only appropriate for use by a qualified nutritionist or trained health care provider with the necessary background in nutrition and interviewing techniques. It is presented here for information only for qualified persons who may wish to incorporate the Higgins Method into their usual practice of oral nutrition interviews. It takes a minimum of 30 to 45 minutes for a skilled interviewer and a motivated client to complete this procedure.

Preparation:

   The interviewer obtains
  1. a copy of Form A Initial Dietary Intake,
  2. a blank piece of paper for adding servings and ounces,
  3. a four function calculator,
  4. the Chart I Montreal Diet Dispensary Food Equivalents, and
  5. a pencil with an eraser.


Procedure:

  
  1. The interviewer obtains a TYPICAL days intake, sequentially from awakening to bedtime. Approximate times are recorded, but "meals" or "snacks" are not identified as such. Specific amounts or details regarding each food are not recorded, just "milk, " "sandwich," "fruit," etc. This enables a crosscheck of the 7 day food intake.

  2. The time period for recall is identified for the client e.g. foods eaten during the 7 days from last Wednesday until yesterday (Tuesday).

  3. The interviewer goes sequentially through the foods listed in Form A, inquiring whether any of that kind of food was eaten in the previous week. If it has, the total amount eaten, in number of servings or ounces of beverages is obtained. Measuring cups and spoons, cans, sample size glasses, and/or food models may be used to assist client recall of amounts. A grocery crosscheck may be used, e.g. how much milk did you purchase last week? How much of it did you drink?

  4. If the client recalls additional amounts in the course of the interview, these are added to the previously calculated food. The client is asked if she has eaten anything else that is not on the list.

  5. As the total amount for each food is obtained, the interviewer divides the total number of servings or ounces for the week by 7 and enters the result in the Average Amount in the last 7 Days column.

  6. The average serving amount is then multiplied by the protein, and then the KCalorie equivalents for that food and recorded in the appropriate columns. When the foods are all calculated, the protein and KCalorie columns are totaled.

  7. Interviewing Tips:

    1. Avoid value judgments in comments or body language, either positive or negative, during the food intake interview.

    2. Avoid suggesting answers. Question to identify accurate amounts

    3. Do all calculations silently. Share at end of assessment only.


  8. Although the oral method is not a part of this tutorial, if you wish to use it you may access Form A - Record for Oral Interview of 7 Day Food Intake by clicking on the "View and Print forms for obtaining and analyzing a 7 Day Food Intake Record" link at the beginning of Tutorial 1.


Return to previous page to read about Written Method

Back to start of Tutorial 1
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