No matter what your nutrition concern, illness, injury, or medical condition, the Horizon Health Network Clinical Nutrition team is here to help. Our dietitians work with you to offer expert advice on ways that food can help improve your overall health and wellness. In the hospital, clinical nutrition technicians help patients overcome any basic barriers to intake and assist dietitians in putting your nutrition care plan into action.
You may want to see a dietitian if you want to learn more about how eating healthier can:
- lower the risk of many chronic diseases
- improve blood glucose levels
- lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels
- control high blood pressure
- control obesity or to help as you age
- prevent malnutrition
- help with a healthy pregnancy
- manage unwanted symptoms related to bowel conditions
- break unhealthy eating habits and create more mindful eating
- help with the food and eating challenges caused by stress or mental health problems
- help manage eating disorders
Canadian Cancer Society Information regarding prevention and treatment of cancer, research and support services for people fighting cancer
Canadian Celiac Association Valuable information on nutrition and celiac disease
Diabetes Canada Valuable information and resources for educators and public regarding diabetes management
Canadian Obesity Network Resources and news about obesity in Canada for health care professionals
Canadian Society of Intestinal Research Resources and updates regarding gastrointestinal diseases and disorders
Dairy Farmers Of Canada It is not just about milk and contains great nutrition information.
Dial-A-Dietitian This site offers reliable information about nutrition professionals
Dietitians of Canada This site offers you credible information from nutrition professionals
5-10 a Day for Better Health National campaign promoting fruit and vegetable consumption among Canadians
Health Canada Great website to get more information on health related issues
Health Canada – Canada’s Food Guide Direct link to Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide and related resources
Heart and Stroke Foundation Valuable information on heart healthy eating and lifestyle
The Kidney Foundation of Canada Education and support for those dealing with kidney disease
Breastfeeding Support and Information: La Leche League Canada Valuable information and tips about breastfeeding
New Brunswick Department of Health Information about health care in nutrition
Osteoporosis Canada Tips for prevention and management of osteoporosis
Public Health Agency of Canada – Physical Activity Guide Direct link to Canadian Physical Activity Guides (for variety of ages)
Canadian Malnutrition Task Force
UnlockFood.Ca – This is your go-to site for nutrition information
What is a dietitian?
Registered Dietitians (RDs) are regulated health professionals who are experts in how food and health are connected. Using the latest best practices in nutrition, they work with you to learn more about how important, enjoyable, and helpful food can be to your daily health and wellness. To learn more, visit UnlockFood.ca – What is a Dietitian?.
What’s the difference between a Registered Dietitian and a Nutritionist?
What’s the difference between a Registered Dietitian and a Nutritionist?
A registered dietitian is a health professional with a Bachelor’s degree, specializing in food and nutrition. They also complete over 1200 hours of hands-on training as an intern in clinical, community, and administration settings. Dietitians are part of a provincially regulated profession that has Public Protection as their number one priority. The title “Registered Dietitian” is protected by law. “Nutritionist” as a title is not protected by law in all provinces so people with different levels of training and knowledge can all themselves a nutritionist. They also are not regulated in all provinces, so the Public Protection piece is missing and there may be increased risk of harm with the information given.
For more information, check out Dietitians of Canada – The difference between a dietitian and nutritionist.
How do I speak with a Horizon Health Network dietitian?
Dietitian services can be accessed by referral from a health-care provider or by self referral. You may see them face to face, through an online virtual platform, or by phone call.
Is there a cost involved?
No. Any visit involving a Horizon dietitian is covered by Medicare.
How do I make an appointment?
For the Saint John and Miramichi Areas, Clinical Nutrition services will contact you for an appointment after the care referral has been received and prioritized.
If you would like to refer yourself, please contact the Clinical Nutrition department. (The phone contact information is below).
For Moncton and Fredericton/Upper River Valley, you will call the Open Access Booking Line and will receive a date and time for your appointment at that time. If the program is not part of Open Access Booking, you will be directed on how to proceed.
How long is the waiting list?
Appointments are given by priority based on the reason to be seen, so the wait time to see a dietitian varies by service and location. Contact the local clinical nutrition department for more information.
How long does an appointment take?
Usually 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the reasons you are seeing the dietitian.
What will happen at my appointment?
Unless it’s a group session or class, you can expect that the appointment will be completely about you. It’s a safe place where you can explain your concerns, goals, typical day, and how nutrition works into it. Since there is no one nutrition care plan that suits everyone, the dietitian will not provide a ‘boxed’ diet plan. They will listen to what you say and offer suggestions that are customized to what you feel you need and are willing to do. Nutrition care is meant to take what you enjoy about food, and work it into your day in a way that will improve your health. The dietitian will give you the education and tools you may need to make any changes that you feel ready to make – no pressure. If, at the end of the discussion, you want to have a follow-up visit, you can arrange that based on your needs and schedule.
How do I find trustworthy nutrition information online?
Just because something is online doesn’t mean that it’s the best. Please be careful when reading and accepting nutrition advice online. Some may be fine, and some may cause harm. Check out this trustworthy source for more information: How to find food and nutrition information you can trust – Unlock Food
How do I recognize a fad diet?
Healthy eating, should be simple, include all food groups, and be enjoyable. If you have concerns about fad diets, here’s an article that can help you decide what’s useful and what can cause harm: Get the Facts on Fad Diets – Unlock Food
Summer Holidays
During your summer vacation you’ll most likely be enjoying a barbecue or two. Ensuring the safety of our food can be challenging this time of year because of the hot summer weather and we often cook outdoors during picnics, barbecues or on camping trips.
For tips on keeping your family safe this summer visit the Government of Canada’s Healthy Canadians website.
Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s day is often celebrated with gifts that might not be very healthy options, such as chocolate or candy. To make this special occasion a little healthier try one of these ideas instead:
- send a Valentine’s day card
- send a singing telegram
- bake homemade healthy cookies
- send a fruit basket or flowers
- give gift certificates
- send your loved one for a massage
- write a love poem
- make a CD of love songs
- give a stuffed animal
In keeping with the colour of love here are a few healthy Valentine’s day treat ideas to share with the ones you love:
- fresh strawberries (any red berry will do) and low fat whipped Cool Whip®
- red Jell-O® with low fat Cool Whip®
- red peppers in your salad (place them in a heart shape)
- red jam on toast, crackers, etc.
- red Fruit to Go®
- red juices
Chocolate
If you’re really set on giving chocolate then opt for dark chocolate. Dark chocolate,also known as “bittersweet” or “semisweet” chocolate, contains a high percentage (70%) of cocoa solids, and little or no added sugar. Dark chocolate has a rich, intense flavour, and is found in candies and some kinds of chocolate chips used in baking.
The potential health benefits of dark chocolate include having high levels of antioxidants which are also found in a variety of foods including tea, red wine, and various fruits and vegetables. These antioxidants may help decrease LDL (bad) cholesterol oxidation. Dark chocolate can also reduce the risk of blood clots, increase blood flow in arteries and it may lower high blood pressure.
The cocoa found in dark chocolate may have a beneficial effect on cholesterol levels because it consists mainly of stearic acid and oleic acid. Stearic acid is a saturated fat but unlike most saturated fatty acids, it does not raise blood cholesterol levels. Oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat, does not raise cholesterol and may even reduce it. Dark chocolate may also improve mood and pleasure by boosting serotonin and endorphin levels in the brain and contains a number of beneficial minerals including calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
Have a Healthy Happy Halloween
Trick or treating at Halloween traditionally involves giving and receiving candy, chocolate and various other treats. However, there are many healthy options that be can given out instead. For some great ideas please visit Healthy Halloween Treats.
Health Canada also provides information for having a safe and healthy Halloween:
Healthy Eating For the Holidays
Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, along with many other holidays, are all times when we tend to splurge on eating.
There are many ways to eat healthy over the holidays and to make better choices. For information about eating healthy during holidays, please visit the following:
Parents’ Influence on Children’s Eating Habits
Picky Eating: 10 Fun Tips to get kids to try new foods
Away at school and on your own – advice for the first time cook – Unlock Food
When Eating and Weight are Concerns: A Glimpse at Eating Disorders – Unlock Food
Nutrition Tips for Shift Workers – Unlock Food
Facts on Caffeine – Unlock Food
Healthy Habits to Cope with Stress – Unlock Food
Video: Tips to manage your food portions – Unlock Food
Your Grocery Store Checklist – Unlock Food
Best Buys at the Grocery Store – Unlock Food
What is malnutrition?
Malnutrition can affect anyone, at any age, of any size, in any social group, and at any time. It does not discriminate. Malnutrition happens when your body hasn’t had enough nutrition over a short period of time. When this happens, your body works to get nutrition on its own, by breaking down fat and muscle to get the nutrients it needs to keep going. When this happens, you lose weight and strength.
How do I know if I am at risk of malnutrition?
- If you feel you are at risk, ask yourself two simple questions:
- Have you lost weight without meaning to in the last 6 months?
- Have you eaten less than usual in the last week?
If you answer maybe, or yes to both of these questions, you are at risk of malnutrition. Please call your local clinical nutrition department to book an appointment with a dietitian.
What will the dietitian do about malnutrition?
The dietitian will do a full nutritional assessment to see how advanced the malnutrition may be, through a physical exam and by asking you questions about your appetite, the foods you usually eat, and how your weight and strength have changed. Based on this information, the dietitian will make suggestions on ways that you can make every bite of food count toward improving your health and wellness and reversing malnutrition. If you are more comfortable having a dietitian speak with a family member or caregiver, that can be arranged.
Contact information
- Area 1: 1-833-944-0860
- Area 2: 1-506-648-6018
- Area 3: 1-833-928-2070
- Area 7: 1-506-623-3500
