WHAT WE OFFER
SERVICES
Our practice is focused primarily on the management of the following:
Prediabetes
Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes
Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY)
Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA)
Diabetes related illnesses and complications
Obesity
High blood pressure
Dyslipidemia
Renal Dysfunction
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Thyroid Dysfunction
Gastroparesis
What skills can we develop together?
Through Medical Nutrition Therapy, you and I will develop an individualized plan to help you achieve set nutritional goals. These goals / skills may include;
Developing a healthy eating plan
Counting carbohydrates
Reading food labels
Reducing portion size
Fitting healthy eating into your culture
Preventing high or low blood sugars
Setting goals for healthy weight loss
What Is Medical Nutrition Therapy?
Medical nutrition therapy includes a lifestyle examination, a thorough review of current diet and eating habits and development of a personalized healthful eating plan. These services are covered by a variety of insurance plans. Medicare Part B covers medical nutrition therapy for diabetes and kidney disease; patients with diabetes who have private insurance should check their individual plan for specific coverage details. An RDN who meets certain requirements can provide these services, including a nutritional assessment, education and individual counseling to address specific dietary needs and preferences.
Why a Dietitian?
RDNs are food and nutrition experts who have completed multiple levels of training established by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, or ACEND. While many RDNs are generalists with knowledge about a variety of nutrition subjects, some might have a specialty interest or an advanced credential such as a Certified Diabetes Educator, or CDE. An RDN who is a CDE will have a unique and specialized skill set to help educate people with diabetes on how to manage their condition and improve their outcomes.
A Certified Diabetes Educator can help people with diabetes develop self-management skills and thus improve glucose control, improve lipid levels, reduce blood pressure, lower healthcare costs and improve quality of life.
How Does the Dietitian Help?
People with diabetes need to understand how foods and nutrition affect their bodies to successfully manage the disease. Dietitians can provide detailed information about how to eat and practical tips to address daily challenges. A dietitian can help put together a daily meal plan that considers individual food preferences, level of physical activity and lifestyle, and will work with patients who have diabetes to set nutrition goals to improve their health.
What Should I Expect?
The length of a visit with an RDN may vary. The first visit typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes. Three to four visits over the next three to six months may be needed depending on additional medical conditions or if weight management also is a consideration. Annual follow-ups for updated information on diabetes and nutrition, or for help with questions or concerns about eating and blood sugar management are to be expected. The dietitian will determine an appropriate follow-up schedule.
Personalized nutritional counseling and advice will help people with diabetes set and prioritize their goals.
If you have diabetes, a dietitian can advise you about what to eat, what not to eat, and how to keep that all-important blood glucose level in check.
Following a healthy diet is a fundamental aspect of diabetes management. Food can help you control your blood sugar levels, but it also can cause them to surge out of control. People with every type of diabetes — type 1, type 2, or gestational — need to eat right as part of diabetes treatment.
That's why a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator can be one of the most important members of your diabetes management team. These professionals can teach you how to follow a proper diet, avoid some of the pitfalls of poor nutrition, and lose weight to better manage your diabetes.