I talk to so many parents who are concerned with their kids’ diets and eating habits. Especially if they have a child that is over or under weight or have specific health concerns. Even without those concerns, as parents, we’re all trying to get our kids to eat healthier and to make good food choices. And, let’s face it, kids can start to tune parents out, when discussing issues like health, weight and fitness. If you are constantly fighting food battles at home it may be beneficial for you or your child to consult a pediatric dietitian.
What Is a Pediatric Dietitian?
Dietitians are experts in designing nutrition programs to protect health, prevent allergic reactions and alleviate the symptoms of many types of disease. Registered dietitians follow a detailed educational path into the profession. They begin with an undergraduate degree in nutrition, food service management or a related field. Dietitians can obtain advanced certifications in specific areas of practice, including pediatric dietetics.
What They Do
Pediatric dietitians work with children in different capacities. Some are employed by schools to oversee their lunch programs. Others work with individual children to combat obesity or promote wellness. Children with celiac disease, colitis, diabetes or serious allergies require specialized training and meal plans to avoid triggering the condition and to minimize the condition’s effects, while still providing adequate nutrition for normal growth and development. Some dietitians work within even more specialized areas, providing carefully-considered meal plans for children in vegan households, children in competitive sports or other situations requiring special treatment.
Where to Find Them
Hy-Vee Dietitians
Multiple Locations
Hy-Vee’s Registered Dietitians help their customers make healthier choices with “answers in the aisles”, one-on-one counseling, cooking classes, culinary demonstrations, and numerous nutrition programs in their stores and communities.
Some programs and events are complimentary, while others have a fee. Contact your local Hy-Vee dietitian for more information.
Mercy Weight Loss & Nutrition Center
12493 University Avenue, Suite 110 • Clive, IA 50325 • (515) 358-9400
The Mercy Weight Loss & Nutrition Center offers personalized nutrition counseling by Registered Dietitians. Their dietitians perform a complete nutrition assessment that includes the patient’s nutrition and lifestyle factors. Based on this assessment, they help each patient identify practical and achievable nutrition goals and develop an individualized nutrition treatment plan that matches the individual’s lifestyle and preference.
For more information or to schedule a personalized nutrition counseling session, please call Outpatient Scheduling at (515) 247-4444.
Skiff Medical Center
204 N. 4th Ave E. • Newton, Iowa 50208 • (641) 792-1273
Serving Newton, Jasper County and the Des Moines area, Skiff Medical Center offers a wide range of nutrition, wellness and dietitian services to help you lead a healthy lifestyle. From education programs and support groups to fully cooked meals, they offer healthy solutions for those managing disease to those simply looking for a more healthy way to live.
To learn more about nutrition and wellness services for Newton, Jasper County and the Des Moines area, call (641) 791-4341.
Unity Point Health Nutrition Centre
1200 Pleasant Street • Des Moines, IA 50309 • Methodist/Blank (515) 241-8686 • Lutheran
(515) 263-5389
The Nutrition Centre located at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Blank Children’s Hospital and Iowa Lutheran Hospital offers a variety of services and programs from registered dietitians to keep your whole family healthy. The staff of registered dietitians offer the experience and expertise that will help you and your family build a healthy lifestyle.
For additional information or to find out more information, please call (515) 241-8686.
Have you consulted a pediatric dietitian? Share your experience with us in the Comments section below.
