| About Nutrition What Is Nutrition? Is Nutrition Right for Me? How Do I Choose? | Glossary Treatment Applications Types of Nutrition Credentials |
Applications of Nutrition and Diet Therapy
Counseling
Nutrition counseling helps a patient assess his daily dietary intake, identifies areas where change is needed, and gives the patient practical suggestions to help him achieve and maintain his nutritional goals. If a certain food, for example, is aggravating a patient's condition, a strategic menu may be designed to restore necessary nutrients. Goals may differ from individual to individual--managing weight, minimizing disease risks, or just eating well. Counseling provides eating and lifestyle strategies tailored to each goal. Information, support, and follow-up are also part of nutrition counseling.
Diet Therapy
Diet therapy alters a patient's diet to treat conditions such as obesity and diabetes. Diet therapists look into conditions that are triggered by ingesting certain foods. For example, some children who are unable to process synthetic petroleum-based food additives may show impaired learning. Children with ADHD have similar learning impairments. Experts have found that changing their diet may ameliorate the condition.
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Medical nutrition therapy follows the evaluation of a patient's nutritional status. Assessment may include a review and analysis of the patient's past medical and diet histories. Therapy can range from minor changes in diet, such as the restriction of fat intake for those with cardiovascular disease, to the use of intravenous or feeding tubes--injecting vitamin C to relieve the withdrawal symptoms in morphine addicts, for example.
Menu Planning
Menu planning is the process by which a person, in consultation with a registered dietitian, develops an eating plan. The nutritionist uses a menu--a list of food items including information about calories and portion sizes--the composition of which depends on the person's nutritional goals and what diseases he may have. For example, a person with Type 1 diabetes will want a menu that provides good blood glucose control by regulating intake of carbohydrates, fiber, and other food factors.
Nutrition Education
There are numerous campaigns seeking to educate people about health, portion control, vitamins, and recommended daily intake of nutrients. The ultimate goal of these campaigns is to promote healthy, sustainable food and nutrition choices. Nutritionists often spread the word in schools and community health programs.
Nutrition Research
Nutrition research advances our understanding of nutrients in food and the role of nutrition in the promotion and maintenance of health, as well as the prevention and treatment of disease. Nutrition scientists study nutrients during growth, reproduction, athletic performance, aging, and disease.
Sports Performance Nutrition
Sports dietitians work with athletes and professional sports teams to optimize physical performance, prevent injury, boost recovery, increase stamina, and manage body weight. Beyond organizing menus and supermarket visits, they also advise and educate athletes about myths concerning supplements and fad diets.
Supervision of Food Preparation
Supervision of food preparation is one possible function of a dietitian or dietetic technician. Clinical dietitians, for example, plan and supervise the preparation of meals for patients in health care facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes.
