Mr. Coach is a 51-year-old white male who was referred by a primary physician because of his elevated blood pressure during a routine screening. Mr. Coach has had a history of heart issues, including an abnormal heartbeat in 2012 for which he underwent a medical procedure. Although Mr. Coach does not smoke and he exercises regularly, he has a family history of hypertension and other risk factors that make it important to pay closer attention to dietary and lifestyle choices. For example, Mr. Coach's blood lipid tests reveal high cholesterol and high triglycerides. Mr. Coach does report being under pressure with his job and personal life and has been experiencing stress, which is also a risk factor. Mr. Coach's diet is far from ideal, and some dietary changes might help to reduce the client's risk factors for cardiovascular disease or metabolic syndrome. Mr. Coach has expressed interested in balancing his diet and reducing the risk factors. There are several problems with Mr. Coach's diet that can be remedied with simple changes. For example, he is consuming flavored instant oatmeal, which could be easily substituted with real oatmeal. Flavored instant oatmeal such as that consumed by Mr. Coach contains an excessive amount of sugar and sodium (Quaker Instant Oatmeal, n.d.). It does not take long to prepare regular rolled oats, especially the quick-cooking variety. This way, Mr. Coach can regulate the amount of sugar and...

Instead of consuming an entire 8 ounce glass of whole milk, Mr. Coach could consider adding a smaller amount, such as one ounce, to the oatmeal he has prepared. He could substitute any number of alternative beverages to drink in the morning, such as nut milks.
Mr. Coach could also consider reducing the number of diet cokes he consumes, substituting chilled carbonated water or the occasional carbonated Italian soda. The Italian sodas have sugar but they have less sugar content and a more satisfying overall flavor than Coke products. Similarly, if Mr. Coach is consuming cupcakes regularly, he might want to look into alternative snacks. The occasional cupcake is fine, but a daily snack should be something that is satisfying but healthier such as all-natural nut butters (with no oils or sugar added) spread on fresh whole grain bread. A vegetarian burger is fine for lunch, it would be preferable if it was served on a higher-quality bun or with whole grains, and a side of vegetables such as a salad with multiple ingredients and a simple olive oil dressing. Mr. Coach's dinners could also use some changes. A chicken-fried steak is not something Mr. Coach should be eating with any regularity; this could be an annual treat but it is not an appropriate meal for someone with Mr. Coach's lipid levels. There are a number of dishes that Mr. Coach can prepare for himself or purchase out that contain far…