How Does Working with a Dietitian Benefit You?
In today’s world, it's challenging to find foods that give you the energy you need and keep you healthy. Fast food and processed foods are everywhere—and cheap. Healthy foods can be more expensive and harder to find.
Even worse, eating too many foods that are high in sugar, fat, and calories can increase your odds of developing serious health problems including diabetes, heart disease, dementia, and even cancer.
By looking at how you eat, nutrition services can help change your relationship with food so you can be happier, healthier, and more productive.
Conditions We Treat
Our dietitians treat everyone—whether you have a chronic disease or you're just training for a marathon. If you have a complex disease, your body needs certain nutrients to stay healthy.
Our registered dietitians provide coaching for people with the following conditions:
- diabetes and prediabetes;
- food allergies/intolerances;
- high blood pressure/hypertension;
- kidney/renal conditions;
- eating disorders;
- heart disease and heart conditions;
- neurological disorders like ALS & muscular dystrophy;
- gastrointestinal concerns/problems like IBS, IBD, GERD, gastroparesis;
- malnutrition and weight gain;
- pregnancy;
- weight management;
- nutrition support;
- cancer/oncology nutrition;
- pediatric nutrition;
- sports nutrition;
- hormonal imbalances like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS);
- liver conditions; and
- inflammatory conditions like arthritis.
Reasons to See a Registered Dietitian
There are many reasons to see a registered dietitian nutritionist (RD/RDN). You may want to see a registered dietitian nutritionist because:
- you want to live a healthier lifestyle,
- you want to lose weight,
- you want to have more energy or you have unique fitness goals,
- you want to prevent diabetes or manage prediabetes, or
- because you have a health problem like IBS or kidney disease and you have special nutrition needs.
Whether you’re trying to lose weight, train for a marathon, or if you’re living with a disease and want to make sure you get the nutrition you need, a registered dietitian can help you meet your goals.
Find a Dietitian
What to Expect from a Dietitian Consultation
During your consultation, your registered dietitian will get a complete picture of the food you eat on a regular basis as well as your relationship with food. Your dietitian will also ask you if you have any food allergies or intolerances as well as what medications and supplements you take.
Your dietitian asks you these questions to help assess your needs. They will help you set goals to create healthy habits.
Resources & Programs for Our Patients
The New You Program
The New You program focuses on nutrition, exercise, and wellness. Using the latest research, learn to eat healthier, be more active, and lose weight. Join us to change your lifestyle behaviors, see real results, and become a new you!
The New You(th) Program
The New You(th) program focuses on nutrition, exercise, and wellness for ages 12-18. Using the latest research, teens will learn to choose and eat nutritious foods, be more active, and create healthier habits for the future. Join us to become a stronger, healthier, more empowered you!
Wellness & Integrative Health Nutrition Programs
Nutrition Care Services and Wellness & Integrative Health collaborate across U of U Health to provide our patients, staff, and surrounding community with a diverse combination of nutrition-related services and educational offerings.
Weight Management Program
If you've tried to lose weight unsuccessfully, you know how frustrating it can be. Our Weight Management Program looks at how your overall health affects your weight.
What Is a Registered Dietitian?
A Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is a food and nutrition expert who has met academic and professional requirements including:
- Earned a master's degree with course work approved by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
- Completed an accredited, supervised practice program at a health care facility, community or foodservice corporation.
- Passed a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration
- Completes continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration on an ongoing basis.
What Is RD Approved?
Registered Dietitian Approved (RD Approved) is a healthy food and beverage initiative at the University of Utah. As a collaboration between Wellness & Integrative Health and Nutrition Care Services, the RD Approved mission is to make the healthy choice the easy choice campus-wide.
This means we're working on increasing the availability and affordability of healthy food and drink options, as well as education around healthy eating habits for our faculty, staff, and students.
Locations of RD-Approved Meals
Where Can You Find RD-Approved Meals on Campus?
- U of U Main Hospital Cafeteria – Meals, snacks, and beverages
- South Jordan Health Center (Tumbleweed Café) - Meals, snacks, and beverages
- Farmington Health Center - Snacks and beverages
- NRH (Summit Cafe) - Snacks and beverages
Hospital Meal Service
If you are a patient staying at the hospital, you can be confident that you will get nutritious meals that will help you heal and recover.
