Nutrition Services & Dietetic Counseling
Registered dietitians provide a wide variety of nutrition services to inpatients and outpatients. As part of Food and Nutrition Services, dietitians review menus and recipes used throughout the medical centers, adapt recipes for specific dietary needs and develop meal plans for specific age groups and conditions.
A registered dietitian (RD) is a food and nutrition expert who has met rigorous academic and professional requirements.
In the News
Dietetic interns teach children to 'eat right with color'
Fourth and fifth graders at Florence Elementary School had hands-on lessons about healthy food habits on March 22 during a nutrition fair organized by our Health System’s dietetic interns. The nutrition fair is tied to the American Dietetic Association’s theme of “Eat Right with Color” for National Nutrition Month this year.
Services for Hospital Inpatients
- Provide consultations regarding specialized nutritional needs
- Explain special diets to patients and their families
- Monitor meals to ensure proper nutrition for a patient’s age and condition
The dietitian staff also follow up with patients after their release for ongoing advice and support.
Outpatient Nutrition Counseling
Dietitians are available to provide one-on-one nutrition counseling and meal planning for patients who have been referred by their physicians. We offer consultations for the following conditions or special needs:
To make an appointment for nutrition counseling with a UC San Diego Medical Center registered dietitian, please call the appointment scheduling line at 619-471-0420.
At the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, the Healthy Eating Program also provides instruction in healthy food preparation, as well as personalized consultation services.
Dietetic Internship
Effective Spring 2011, the UC San Diego Medical Center Dietetic Internship Program will use the online centralized internship application, DICAS.
Learn more about our 50-week internship program and how to apply.