Nutrition Services

Nutrition has a powerful impact on overall health and is essential at every stage of life. During pregnancy, eating well, taking prenatal vitamins, and achieving appropriate weight gain help lower the risk of complications such as premature delivery and low birth weight. In childhood and adolescence, developing healthy eating habits and staying active can lay the foundation for lifelong wellness. In adulthood, maintaining a healthy diet plays a vital role in preventing the risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.

What is Medical Nutrition Therapy?

One way nutrition care is delivered is through Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT). MNT is a specialized service provided by a registered dietitian (RD) that combines nutrition education and behavior change to prevent or manage medical conditions. It includes a comprehensive nutrition assessment, a personalized nutrition plan, and ongoing support to help patients achieve their goals. MNT is especially effective for conditions like diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and gastrointestinal disorders. These services are available at all seven of our county health departments with a physician referral or through the WIC Program.

Who May Benefit from MNT?

• Selective eaters who want to expand their food choices
• People living with health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, heart disease, or stomach problems
• Those wanting help reaching or maintaining a healthy weight