To patients with diseases like inborn errors of metabolism, renal failure and epilepsy, what they eat every day can be a matter of life and death. Medical nutrition therapy is therefore as vital as medications. Dietitians will assess patients’ dietary and nutritional needs, work with doctors in formulating treatment plan, and prescribe suitable diet for disease management and promoting their growth and development.

▲Food models are used to illustrate food types and portions. Dietitians will also recommend food lists for parents to buy suitable ingredients.

Dietitians also provide clinical dietetics consultation. They produce education leaflets to explain the dietary restrictions for different medical conditions, meal plans, use of measuring tools, and food labeling. As patients grow, the role of dietitians also evolves. During infancy, they usually focus on teaching parents about the use of special formula. When children start school, it is necessary to teach them to distinguish what they can eat and communicate with the school about meal arrangements. When they become teenagers, different recipes are introduced to prep them for home cooking.

▲To let patients try a variety of cuisines, dietitians will design recipes for different therapeutic diet. This flourless pizza made with cauliflower and cheese is welcomed by patients on ketogenic diet.