For HealthCare Providers

DietDeck® is an educational tool proven effective in a clinical setting. It helps patients, 1) quantify their eating habits, 2) move towards eating a balanced diet and, 3) manage their body weight if necessary.

DietDeck®has been used in family practice for 8 years to teach patients that eating a balanced diet, and exercising regularly, are major steps towards optimal health and body weight. Emphasis is placed on slow, permanent dietary changes rather than quick, unsustainable fixes. DietDeck®has been used successfully when "prescribed" to patients after a brief counseling session.

DietDeck®is a series of cards that patients carry with them in a wallet. Cards representing single servings of major food groups (protein, bread/rice/pasta, green leafy vegetables, fats, all vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, citrus, all fruit, sugar) are used to keep track of food intake. Food groups are more specific than traditional generic groupings like fruits and vegetables, ensuring both a nutritionally balanced and a varied diet. Portion sizes of popular foods within each group are described on the cards, and best food choices based on glycemic index, fibre content, and type of fat content are highlighted for quick reference. DietDeck®also includes cards promoting exercise, cards offering nutritional breakdown of popular prepared and fast foods, and soul cards designed as incentives for compliance with healthy eating habits.

Cards are used daily for a week as patients follow their normal eating habits. DietDeck®cards corresponding to the type and amount of food and drink consumed are moved from one side of a card wallet to the other in order to calculate average daily intake of each food group. The next week patients carry with them only cards representing a diet more balanced than their daily average, as identified in accompanying instructions. Food or drink are only consumed if the patient has corresponding unused cards, encouraging patients to plan their next meal or snack to keep their diet balanced. Exercise cards promote daily activity, and soul cards justify non-food related treats when patients are pleased with their progress towards balancing their diet.

DietDeck®is simple, safe, and smart.