Therapeutic system for dietary health management

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In light of the above described need, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dietary health management system which adequately supplies desired levels of macro- and micronutrients.
It is also an object of this invention that such a system provide specific directions which may readily be followed by patients to achieve successful implementation while providing sufficient variety, taste, and versatility to achieve adequate compliance.
Further, it is an object of this invention that the system provide prepackaged therapeutic meals which are readily obtainable and easily prepared by patients and which may be stored, i.
e.
, frozen or shelf-stable, without loss of nutritional benefits.
An advantage of such meals is that their preparation is simple and convenient to the patient.
Thus, patients are more likely to achieve higher dietary satisfaction and compliance.
It is a feature of this invention that sufficient levels of macro- and micronutrients are added, such that meals may be initially processed, packaged, stored, either frozen or non-frozen, for extended periods, and prepared, e.
g.
, heated, rehydrated, or cooked, for consumption within a reasonable period from packaging, e.
g.
, within a range of about three (3) to twelve (12) months and preferably, at least about nine (9) months, and still provide the desired level of macro- and micronutrients when consumed.
In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for dietary health management, i e.
, preventing or treating and reducing risk factors associated with diet-responsive conditions, such as: obesity; hyperlipidemia; non-insulin dependent diabetes; hypertension; and cancer, for example, colo-rectal cancer; by supplying a diet providing recommended dietary levels of macro- and micronutrients.
In addition to treating such conditions, this method may assist in the reduction of the dosages and quantities of pharmaceuticals administered to patients suffering from these conditions.
This method is convenient to enable ready compliance, while ensuring that nutritional needs are met