Johns Hopkins UniversityEst. 1876

America’s First Research University

Nutritional Therapy

Notice

We currently do not have a registered dietitian on staff and have paused this service internally for the time-being. Our team is working on a list of community resources for nutritional therapy and insurance coverage information. We will update here as that information is available.

Some Dietetics Basics

Q:What is the Study of Dietetics?
A: Dietetics is the study of how food and nutrition effects human health. Dietetics uses research-based knowledge about food and nutrition to help prevent and treat disease, and to maintain and promote overall health and wellbeing.

Q: What is the role of the Dietitian?
A: A dietitian (or dietitian nutritionist) is an expert in identifying and treating disease-related conditions and malnutrition. Dietitians conduct medical nutrition therapy and advises on proper dietary practices for health management, to protect health, to manage allergies, and/or to manage the symptoms of a disease or chronic condition via nutrition interventions and prescriptions.

Q: What are some common reasons to work with a dietitian?
A: There are lots of reasons to see a dietitian, including:

  • Medical diagnoses with significant nutrition implications including diabetes (and prediabetes), hypoglycemia, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, (non-alcoholic) fatty liver disease.
  • Concerns for disordered eating and/or an eating disorder.
  • Digestive concerns including food allergies, lactose intolerance or sensitivity, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, constipation, diarrhea
  • Vegetarian or vegan lifestyle advice with concern for undernutrition
  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), irregular menses, or amenorrhea
  • Nutrient deficiencies: vitamin and/or mineral
  • Family history of nutrition-related disease with associated risk factors
  • Recent unintentional weight loss or loss of appetite

Resources

General Nutrition

Eating Concerns

Dietary Supplements