Nutritional Support
At UI Health, our registered dietitians help patients manage nutrition support to ensure that their plans meet nutritional needs and are well tolerated. The dietitians also help patients transition off nutrition support to oral intake, if it is appropriate to do so. During the first visit, a full nutrition assessment will be performed. This assessment will include the following:
- Medical history and assessment of pertinent nutrition-related lab values
- Diet and nutrition support history
- Anthropometrics
- Assessment of any gastrointestinal complications (bowel patterns, abdominal pain/bloating, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, reduced gut motility)
- Social information (family food practices, religious food restrictions)
- Understanding of any dietary or performance goals
Food Allergies/Intolerances
Our registered dietitians help patients understand how to successfully eliminate food allergens and intolerances from their diet, while maintaining adequate nutrition. Patients will learn how to manage food allergens and intolerances in daily life (at home, ordering at restaurants, living with allergens at school/daycare, and allergen-free meal prep). During the first visit, a full nutrition assessment will be performed.
Meal Planning/Health Maintenance
Registered dietitians work with patients to plan a general, healthful diet that is low in fat, cholesterol, and sodium, and high in fiber. Diets will be individualized to meet the specific needs of each patient, taking into account various diseases and conditions, helping to prevent chronic disease that are prevalent within family. The registered dietitian will utilize the dietary guidelines and the patient’s medical history to provide an individualized nutrition meal plan.
Sports Nutrition
This program is for athletes of all levels interested improving performance or planning to reach specific performance parameters. Optimal nutrition — type, timing, and amount of fluids and foods — will improve an athlete’s health, delay fatigue during exercise, improve recovery from illness or injury, and enhance the ability to train. Well-balanced nutrition can help an athlete better adapt to training and produce overall improvements in athletic performance. The registered dietitian will address the athlete’s needs throughout all phases of training, in addition to advising the athlete on the safety of dietary supplements and/or ergogenic aids.
