platemethodpics

My name is Joyce Patterson, MPH, RDN, BC-ADM, CPT. I currently work in a diabetes education program at a large university health system. Over the years, I have developed countless health education materials for print, presentations, and recently telehealth. With each project, I find myself searching and searching for the perfect plate method photos that are inexpensive and royalty-free. Time and again, I find that the choices are limited.

 

Nutrition trends affect the way food is represented. Stock photos are often not quite balanced--either too high in protein or too low in carb or too...something. Some are too impractical, too complicated, or too fancy. Or some are simply not available for use due to copyright restrictions. Yet for dietitians, the plate method is a widely used tool to simplify meal planning for their patients. 

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While developing my soon-to-be-released book, Think Like a Dietitian: A Nutrition Counseling Starter Kit, I found that if I wanted a wide variety of plate method pics, I had to create the plates and photograph them myself.

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Those plates are collected here for other nutrition educators looking for "just right" images for their projects.

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For health educators, there is a lot of noise when it comes to nutrition information. But with the right education materials, you can reassure your patients that they can enjoy a wide variety of foods while working towards their health goals. With these images, you will hear your patients say, "Thank goodness. I can eat again." 

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Also on this web site are graphics and ready-to-go education materials designed to help translate complicated health concepts into information that is easy to understand and apply. They are designed for a wide range of health literacy and learning styles. 

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If you need assistance developing customized education materials for your practice or intervention, I also offer editorial services. From literature review to writing to design to presentations, contact me to discuss how I can help you with your project.