The nurse is caring for a client whose lab results show triglycerides of 380 and cholesterol level of 240. Which foods would the nurse educate the client about including in his diet when he is discharged? Select all that apply.

  • wheat toast with sugar-free jelly
  • grilled salmon seasoned with herbs
  • an egg-white omelet with vegetables
  • natural honey from a local farmer’s market
  • plain grilled steak prepared with pepper only
Numbers 2 and 3 are correct.
Salmon is a cold-water fish that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, a good fat that can help lower triglycerides. Grilling eliminates the need for oils or butter, which are high in saturated fat. Herbs offer a very low-calorie way to add flavor to grilled fish. An egg-white omelet eliminates the yolks, which contain the bulk of fat, and vegetables add flavor and nutrients. Animal-based foods are naturally higher in fat; therefore, vegetables such as spinach or red peppers are a better choice than cheese. Wheat toast is not a good choice since it is high in carbohydrates; too many carbohydrates convert into sugar which raises triglycerides. Although the jelly is sugar free, the high amount of carbohydrates in the whole wheat bread make it a poor choice. Natural honey is still very high in sugar, which should be avoided when trying to lower triglyceride levels. Plain grilled steak is not a good choice as it is an animal-based product that is high in fat. A four-ounce serving of sirloin contains about 16 grams of fat, 6 grams of which is saturated. The average person, especially a male, tends to eat far larger servings, which exponentially increases the amount of fat. Skinless poultry is a lower fat choice.