Nutrition Therapy
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Nutrition Counseling
Diabetes Education
MeritCare Dietitians are part of the team who provides diabetes education to help manage your diabetes. They are there to offer advice on the balance of nutrients, the most healthy type of fat in the diet, additional or changed vitamin/mineral needs that can come from having diabetes and/or taking medications and much more. Many insurers will allow several visits per year with the dietitian. Dietitians also provide education through MeritCare's Diabetes Exercise Program.
Heart Disease
What's the scoop on trans fat, saturated fat and all the other fats? Food labels are confusing and dietitians can help you make the best food choices for your heart health. MeritCare's dietitians meet with patients on an individual basis to design a heart-healthy food plan that meets tastes and goals. Attending a heart healthy class might be just the thing to get you started on healthier diet.
Women's Health
Vitamin and mineral needs can change as women age. Pregnancy can bring nutritional challenges from nausea and changes in foods that are appealing. Getting adequate vitamins and minerals is critical for many health reasons. Learn more about nutrition topics regarding women's health.
Children's
Children with special needs may see a pediatric dietitian at MeritCare's Coordinated Treatment Center Program. Our pediatric dietitian is part of several interdisciplinary teams that provide services to children with Down Syndrome, Spina Bifida, Cystic Fibrosis, Cerebral Palsy, Pediatric Brain Injury and growth and development issues.
Individual help from a dietitian is also available through our nutrition services for any child with eating concerns.
Digestive Disorders
Digestive disorders can be very difficult to manage and each person may have foods that they tolerate well and some that they do not. Dietitians can help make sure that each nutrition plan is individualized and balanced in nutrients.
Kidney Disease
Nutrition plays a big part in managing chronic kidney disease or kidney stones. Early intervention can help manage deficiencies or alterations in normal blood levels of nutrients. Nutritional needs change with the various stages of chronic kidney disease. A dietitian can help you focus on the most important issues that accompany each stage of kidney disease. Nutritional management needs to be individualized.
Oncology
Cancer can cause some serious nutritional challenges due to specific types of cancer and/or type of medical treatments. Dietitians can help manage nutritional side effects of cancer and its therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation.