Nutritional Counseling: Practical Models

Hippocrates’ famous aphorism “we are what we eat” is more than ever pertinent at the present time. Indeed, strong scientific evidence has demonstrated that dietary patterns are important determinants of health status, especially concerning the cardiovascular system. However, nutrition must be considered not only as an energetic source, but must be integrated with its other components: culture, beliefs, tradition, and pleasure. This complexity explains why behavioral modifications in nutrition are so difficult to promote and sustain in subjects, often needing deep changes in the ways of being and thinking. Moreover, as cardiovascular prevention is multifactorial, healthy food choices must often be associated with other behavioral modifications, such as smoking cessation or physical exercise, so our main task will be to help patients to cope with all these recommendations.