Unlock the Potential of Food: Find a Dietitian!
March 06, 2023
March marks the start of spring and it is also nutrition month! This year’s nutrition month theme from Dietitians of Canada, is all about finding a Registered Dietitian (RD).
What is a Dietitian?
Dietitians are food and nutrition experts and may be part of your healthcare team.
- Dietitians use the science of nutrition to help people understand how food can impact health.
- They use evidence to develop practical guidelines for people to use and make nutritious food choices.
- Dietitians need to be registered with provincial regulatory bodies in order to practice in Canada and can be accessed in a variety of settings and for a multitude of reasons.
Dietitians can support you through all phases of your lifecycle, from conception to older adulthood. Some of the topics a dietitian can help you with can include:
- diabetes
- heart health
- cancer
- food allergies
- digestive concerns
- weight management
- picky eating
- malnutrition and weight gain
- pregnancy and breastfeeding
- exercise and sports nutrition
- vegetarian and vegan diets
- meal planning, label reading and food skills
Dietitians at the HPHA!
The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) is fortunate to have dietitians that work at all sites on our inpatient units.
Outpatient services are also available (free of charge) for diabetes education at our St. Marys Memorial Hospital, Seaforth Community Hospital and Stratford General Hospital sites .
Nutrition counselling is also available on an outpatient basis if you do not have access to a dietitian through your family doctor.
How to find a Dietitian
If you or someone you know is looking for a dietitian, visit the Dietitians of Canada website to find one.
Dietitian Services Covered by Provincial Health Insurance
Dietitian services that are covered by provincial health insurance include care received at any of the following:
- outpatient clinics with a doctor’s referral (like nutrition counselling offered at HPHA!).
- family health teams or primary care networks that have dietitians.
- public health units, community health centres and home care
- long-term care homes
Paid Dietitian Services & Employee Health Benefits
Dietitian services can also be accessed through paid sessions. Employee coverage for dietitian services has become more common, so check your benefits plan today.
Speak to a Dietitian by Phone or Email
There are other ways to connect with dietitians including phone or email. These services are also free of cost and require no doctor’s referral. In Ontario you can call Health Connect Ontario at 8-1-1 to speak with a dietitian.
Some of HPHA's Dietitians! L to R: Karina Thomas, Judy McMillan, Victoria Zimmer, Emily Mills, Sulaymah Moussa (Intern), Megan Johnston