Suncoast Hospice Clinical Dietitian Katie Payor
March is National Nutrition Month and we join in supporting everyone in their journeys of healthy eating and living.
Proper nutrition is essential at every stage of life. Addressing dietary needs is an important part of our Suncoast Hospice and Suncoast PACE care.
In this Q&A, Suncoast Hospice clinical dietitian Katherine “Katie” Payor MS, RD, LD/N discusses helping our patients, participants and families meet their nutritional goals, the health dangers of obesity and the steps we can all take to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
1. What’s your professional background?
I received my undergraduate degree in nutrition from the University of Florida and master’s degree in clinical nutrition from Florida State University. I started my career as a clinical dietitian at Tampa General Hospital. I currently specialize in transplant nutrition at Largo Medical Center and have served on the supplemental staff team at Suncoast Hospice since November 2015.
2. What are your credentials?
My professional credentials include being a registered dietitian and a licensed dietitian/nutritionist in both Florida and Alabama. Additionally, I became a certified Spinning © Instructor last year.
3. Why did you choose to work at Empath Health?
I recognized a need for continued nutrition care with hospice patients, as well as the importance of proper nutrition with older adults.
Nutrition Care
4. What are your responsibilities as a clinical dietitian?
In my job, I’m responsible for assessing the nutritional status and needs of my patients. Diet plans, recommendations and goals are made case-by-case depending on each person’s individual needs.
5. How do our Suncoast Hospice and Suncoast PACE teams help with nutrition?
While dietitians are the “nutrition experts,” it takes a collaborative effort from members of our hospice and PACE teams to 
ensure the most appropriate nutrition for our patients and participants. Medical conditions diagnosed by our doctors, swallowing issues evaluated by our speech therapists and feeding assistance provided by our nurses are all examples of how our different disciplines work together to provide the best nutrition care.
6. What are your goals in your care?
Nutritional goals vary greatly from person to person. As a dietitian, it’s our job to look at “the whole picture” when determining individual goals. Stage of life, medical conditions, and personal needs and wants are all factors when setting goals for our patients.
7. What are your most memorable care experiences?
Some of my most memorable experiences include educating and goal setting with patients and families. Watching them achieve their dietary goals and how it positively impacts so many other facets of their lives is incredibly rewarding.
8. What have been the most valuable lessons in your work?
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned working with patients is the importance of active listening, really hearing what our patients are trying to tell us. Verbal and nonverbal communication are important in helping us effectively interact and respond to one another.
Nutrition in America
9. What are your feelings about the new U.S. dietary guidelines?
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans is a valuable tool that can help us make healthy choices and guides food and nutrition programs across the country. Two notable changes to the new 2015-2020 edition include sugar consumption and dietary cholesterol.
- Sugar consumption update: limit intake to no more than 10% of daily calories.
- Cholesterol consumption: no limit on dietary cholesterol (previously recommended to limit consumption to 300 mg daily).
10. Obesity rates are increasing in America? How serious is obesity and how does it impact our health?
Obesity is a serious health problem that’s on the rise in the U.S. More than one third of the adult population is considered obese (BMI > 30). Recent studies have shown that almost 70% of adults are overweight and the number of obese children and teens has tripled.
Numerous co-morbidities are associated with obesity, including heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, some cancers and osteoarthritis. Additionally, weight stigmas and social discrimination against obese individuals may negatively impact their psychosocial well-being and quality of life.
11. What factors affect a healthy weight?
In today’s world, maintaining a healthy weight can be challenging. We have more fast food outlets, larger portions and increasingly sedentary lifestyles than ever before. Factors that can impact weight gain include:
• Genetics: genes may increase one’s susceptibility to be overweight, however it’s often a combination of both genes and behavior that causes one to be overweight.
• Medical conditions: such as hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease and polycystic ovary syndrome.
• Medications: Antidepressants and steroids are known to cause increase in appetite, which frequently results in an increase in weight.
• Environment: The way our environment or community is structured, such as lack of sidewalks for safe walking and biking routes, as well as limited suppliers of healthy foods.
• Economics: Some research has shown that the lower prices of processed and fast foods, as well as the increased prices of fruits and vegetables are linked to increased weight.
12. What steps can people take to control their weight?
Successful weight control generally encompasses both diet modification and physical activity. It’s important to remember 
weight control is a lifelong commitment. Some important steps to remember on your journey include:
- Setting realistic goals. Long and short-term goals should reflect what makes sense for you and be something you can stick with.
- Diet modifications, not exclusions. A healthy diet doesn’t forbid specific foods, but rather identifies which foods make weight loss easier, as well as more difficult and modifies the amount and frequency that we include them in our day-to-day life.
- Planning ahead. Planning ahead increases our chances of making smart choices even in weak or vulnerable situations.
- Commit to physical activity. Weight control is most effective when diet and exercise are incorporated. People who exercise are more likely to have weight loss success and maintain their weight once the goal weight has been achieved.
- Support system. Surrounding yourself with people who support you (and maybe even join you) in your efforts can be invaluable to your success.
13. How can older adults maintain a healthy weight?
As we age, our metabolisms slow and diet and lifestyle changes may become necessary to prevent unwanted weight gain. Choosing more nutrient-dense foods, meaning foods with lots of vitamins, minerals, lean protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats, becomes increasingly important. Adequate protein and physical exercise are crucial to maintaining lean body mass and preventing muscle breakdown. Additionally, limiting empty calories, which are foods that provide calories with very little nutritional value, can help limit excess calories from our diet.
14. How do you think family members can support their loved ones in eating healthier?
Food can be a source of comfort for many of us. Providing patients and family members with education, options and ideas that they never knew were possible is an invaluable tool that dietitians can provide. When supporting loved ones encouragement is key. Whether you’re a voice of reason, an open ear, a running partner or cooking companion, encouragement can be a critical component in helping our loved ones achieve their goals.
Find out more about our Suncoast Hospice and Suncoast PACE care on our website.