Outpatient & Inpatient Nutrition Services

The Clinical Nutrition Department at University Hospitals offers education and counseling resources to help patients achieve optimal health and wellness. Our registered dietitian nutritionists provide services on both an outpatient basis, as well as inpatient services for patients staying in our hospital facilities.

Outpatient Services

Our outpatient nutrition offerings include:

Outpatient Nutrition Counseling

Our registered dietitians create practical, individualized solutions for patients to help them form healthy eating habits and meet their nutritional goals. Whether your goal is to lose weight, manage a chronic condition, or maintain good health through diet, our expert nutritionists are here to help you along the way.

Mindful Eating Program

The Mindfulness Based – Eating Awareness Training (MB-EAT) program teaches you how to eat mindfully by bringing attention and awareness to body and mind. Program members have access to mindful eating training, one-on-one nutrition counseling and group classes.

Nutrition Outreach Services

Our corporate and community outreach services include group education programs, participation in health fairs and events, and individual diet analysis and counseling.

Other Outpatient Nutrition Services

Diet and nutrition counseling may also be available through other UH services and programs, including:

• Cardiac rehabilitation
• Pulmonary rehabilitation
• Diabetes management
• Center for Integrated and Novel Approaches in Vascular-Metabolic Disease (UH CINEMA)
• UH Connor Whole Health
• UH Avon Fitness Center
• Fitness Center UH Brunner Sanden Deitrick Wellness Center

Inpatient Nutrition Services

Our inpatient registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) provide comprehensive medical nutrition therapy for patients who need nutrition assessment and medical nutrition intervention while in the hospital. Our highly skilled staff considers the impact of acute or chronic conditions on nutritional status, as well as dietary restrictions, allergies and the ability to eat.

Many of our RDNs hold a certification within a specialty area of nutrition, including oncology, diabetes, renal (kidney) disease and nutrition support. Our inpatient RDNs work collaboratively with the healthcare team to achieve optimal patient outcomes and promote overall well-being. At UH, medical nutrition therapy is provided for patients of all ages, including neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients, pediatrics, adults and geriatric populations.

Inpatient Dining

The Food and Nutrition Department staff at UH take a clinically led, chef-inspired approach to deliver nutritious, healing meals to patients. Depending on the hospital you are admitted to, you will have the opportunity to participate in either our room service dining program or our bedside dining program. Our room service locations allow you to call anytime during the meal period and speak with a nutrition services associate to place menu selections over the phone. Bedside locations will have a nutrition services associate visit you in your room several times a day to place menu selections.

A menu will be available in your room to help you make your selections, and meal options are based on the diet your physician has prescribed for you. Appropriate alternative choices will be offered as needed. Meals can be ordered at each meal period, or in advance up to seven days during your hospital stay. Mealtimes, contact phone numbers and delivery times vary by location, but this information will all be included on your menu. The nutrition services associates will be happy to answer any questions pertaining to the menu for you or any family members assisting with meal ordering.

Visitors interested in dining with a patient can purchase a guest tray voucher in the cafeteria for $8 using cash or credit card. A guest tray includes one entrée, two sides, garden salad, dinner roll, dessert and a beverage from the patient menu. Please present the receipt as proof of purchase when your food is delivered.