At locations in the Sutter Health network throughout Northern California, registered dietitians (RD) provide medical nutrition therapy to help you better understand the connection between eating and diabetes management. Many of Sutter Health RDs who serve patients with diabetes are also certified diabetes educators (CDEs).

Medical nutrition therapy helps you understand how what you eat and drink drives blood glucose level changes. If you or your child has type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you’ll learn the variety of ways the body processes glucose, and how that will change through your life stages or your child's growth. Through the therapy, you can also learn how to adapt you or your child’s food preferences and family eating habits.

Medical nutrition therapy can be helpful if you have other conditions such as Crohn's Disease, gluten intolerance and kidney disease.

What Happens During Medical Nutrition Therapy

Before meeting with you, your RD will receive a doctor’s referral with your current laboratory test results and information about all medical diagnoses and medications. During nutrition therapy, your RD will:

• Talk with you to assess your current eating patterns and nutrition status.
• Use that information, along with lab results and other medical information, to create an individual eating plan that addresses your challenge areas and helps you establish a healthy eating lifestyle.
• Follow up with you to find out how you’re doing and help you address any trouble spots.

Most people who go through nutrition therapy have an easier time managing their blood glucose levels, and they also feel better and report having more energy to enjoy life.

Medical Nutrition Therapy and Health Insurance

Before scheduling a medical nutrition therapy appointment, be sure to find out what services your health insurance covers. Medicare and many health insurance providers cover some or all of the cost for nutrition counseling if you meet coverage requirements. If medical nutrition therapy is covered, make sure to get a referral from your doctor to avoid out-of-pocket expenses.