Recognizing the importance of diet to patients' health, the
Diabetes & Nutrition Center at Northwest Hospital focuses on medical nutrition therapy. This approach allows patients to better manage their medical conditions by reducing symptoms, slowing the progress of disease and lowering the risk for future chronic illnesses. Education is provided by certified diabetic educators.
In addition to treating patients with pre-, type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes, nutritional counseling is available for patients with a variety of medical conditions or special needs, such as:
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular diseases (including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, congestive heart failure)
- Food allergies
- Gastrointestinal disorders (including celiac disease, cirrhosis, Crohn's disease)
- HIV/AIDS
- Kidney disease (including insufficiency, chronic failure, transplantation)
- Lung disease (including COPD)
- Osteoporosis
- Stroke rehabilitation
- Sports nutrition
- Weight management (including overweight/obesity, bariatric surgery, eating disorders)
Medical nutrition therapy is provided by a registered dietitian and includes:
- Comprehensive nutrition assessment and diagnosis
- Development of a personalized nutrition plan founded on evidence-based dietary guidelines
- Follow-up visits with a registered dietitian to track progress and make needed adjustments to the nutrition plan