Hyde Pfeifer, a retired 70-year-old German American, has lived in the United States for the last 50 years. A widower of 5 years, Mr. Pfiefer prepares his own meals following his wife’s recipes from the old country. Nine months ago, Mr. Pfiefer was told that his cholesterol is elevated, and he was instructed about a low-fat diet. His most recent test results show his values to be unchanged.
1. Discuss the meaning of food in the German culture.
2. Using the predominant health beliefs of people of German ancestry, how might you help Mr. Pfiefer reduce his cholesterol level?
German Culture and Food
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German Culture and Food
Introduction
Knowing one’s culture and cultural beliefs and values is very essential when working with diverse groups of patients. Cultural competence is largely perceived as a fundamental requirement in providing patient-centered care. Cultural competence can be defined as the ability to acknowledge one’s culture to determine the best approach to give them (Dawson, 2018). It is the ability to provide care to patients with diverse values, behaviors, and beliefs. In the presented case study, the patient is a retired 70-year-old German American who was diagnosed with elevated cholesterol levels. The purpose of this study is to discuss the meaning of food in the German culture and how the patient in the case study can be helped to reduce his cholesterol level.
The Meaning of Food in the German Culture
The traditional Germans believed in cuisine and drinks are an excellent way to show commitment to cultural heritage. Germans had a variety of foods including bread, potatoes, and meat, especially pig meat (Dawson, 2018). Additionally, Germans consumed a lot of greens such as cabbage, and kale. Greens are recommended even medically because they promote good health habits. Greens help lower cholesterol and calorie levels, which are vital in determining good health. However, today’s Germans culture might be a bit different from what used to happen in traditional Germany (Murphy et al., 2021). In today’s German culture, they believe that excellent food is based on the pleasure it provides to the consumer rather than the nutritional advantage. Food is also used in different events to signify pleasure. The important components of German cuisine are cake, tea, and beer. These foods alongside others are high in cholesterol, hence, should be consumed in moderation (Dawson, 2018). However, German healthcare professionals advise healthy diets and eating habits to improve health.
Using German Beliefs to Reduce Cholesterol Levels
Several strategies can be used to help the patient reduce cholesterol levels. The German ancestral belief enhanced the consumption of vegetables and other greens. The beliefs enhanced a healthy diet including cereals, potatoes, and pig meats (Dawson, 2018). This kind of belief can help Mr. Pfiefer address his cholesterol condition. For instance, it would be good to educate the patient about the dangers of cholesterol and strategies for reducing this condition (Murphy et al., 2021). It is critical to advise the patient to eat healthy foods by reducing the consumption of saturated fats. This content is found in red meat and full-fat dairy products. The patient should eliminate trans fats, and eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and soluble fiber. Physical exercise is important, hence, the patient can be advised to exercise on most days of the week (Dawson, 2018). These are just a few strategies, however, there are other several measures the patient can undertake to improve his health.
Conclusion
Understanding the cultural beliefs of every patient allows the care provider to make correct decisions. The traditional German culture promoted healthy eating, however, modern Germany tends to cherish processed food and unhealthy eating behaviors. As a result, cholesterol buildup and other problems have increased. In the case study, Mr. Pfiefer has been diagnosed with elevated cholesterol, and proper interventions to help her improve his health condition. Nutritional education can help address issues of elevated cholesterol levels and other food-related problems.
References
Dawson, L. (2018). Edinburgh German yearbook: Volume 10, Queering German culture. Camden House.
Murphy, B., Benson, T., Lavelle, F., Elliott, C., & Dean, M. (2021). Assessing differences in levels of food trust between European countries. Food Control, 120, 107561. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107561