What you eat is an integral part of wellness, healing, and disease prevention. No matter what stage you are in life, nutrition is one of the keys to keeping you healthy and active. At John Muir Health, we believe in giving you the tools you need to maintain good nutrition and health and we’re here to work with you to achieve your health goals, whatever they may be.
Making healthier food choices can lead to a longer, fuller life. John Muir Health’s dietitians can get you on the path to lowering your weight, eating more healthfully, and reducing your risk for chronic diseases.
Registered Dietitians
A registered dietitian (RD) is a food and nutrition expert who performs nutrition assessments, provides individualized nutritional plans, and advises follow-up care. An RD recommends dietary changes to optimize health, prevent and treat illnesses, and promote positive lifestyle changes.
Registered dietitians undergo rigorous training in science and nutrition obtaining a 4 year degree, then complete a dietetic internship and finally a national registration exam. They are required to have ongoing continuing professional education. RDs are your most credible source of nutrition information, providing you with reliable knowledge based on the latest science.
Inpatient Clinical Nutrition Care
During a hospital stay, John Muir Health’s inpatient registered dietitians function as vital members of your healthcare team. RDs work with your doctor to provide assessments and medical nutrition therapy to help ensure your nutritional plan meets your individual needs.
John Muir Health’s registered dietitians are a key resource to patients and staff for all nutritional and food service issues. While standard menu choices the hospital offers satisfies many patients, a nutrition assistant can assist those who require a more customized approach.
Outpatient Nutrition Therapy and Education
John Muir Health’s outpatient registered dietitians (RD) are available by appointment to provide comprehensive nutritional evaluations and medical nutrition therapy (MNT). Consultations are individualized to meet your needs and optimize your health and well-being.
MNT is medical treatment based on nutrition and involves eating the right foods and nutrients to help manage certain diseases and conditions. Some of the conditions we treat with MNT include:
- Cancer
- Celiac –gluten free
- Diabetes
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Promoting weight change
- Improving blood pressure
Learning to change your eating behaviors to better manage your health will help you to meet your medical goals. Many insurance companies cover Medical Nutrition Therapy with a physician referral.
A physician referral is required by law for the dietitian to counsel a patient on Medical NutritionTherapy. You need to contact your own insurance company for coverage as each policy is individual to the client.
Our services also include educational programs and seminars for other departments in our health system and in the community.
To set up an appointment in our outpatient clinic, please call:
John Muir Medical Center, Concord: (925) 674-2518
John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek: (925) 947-5313
or contact us for more information.
Medical Center Cafes
John Muir Health's Nutrition Service Team is responsible for the delicious, healthy food you can enjoy in our cafes. We are focused on providing sustainable, locally grown, whole grain, and trans fat free products. For many years we have been incorporating fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables into our menus. In addition, we purchase milk that does not contain synthetic hormones such as recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBHT or rBST). We purchase coffee that is organically grown and fair trade certified. Ongoing green initiatives are also considered. Our menus feature increased use of plant-based offerings and promote foods that contain probiotics. Ultimately, our purpose is to improve the health of our patients, staff and the communities we serve.
Call (925) 947-5313 or contact us for more information.