Vermont Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Chronic Disease Management

Why consulting with a Registered Dietitian (RD) can benefit you:

• You want to eat smarter. An RD can help you sort through misinformation; learn how to read labels at the supermarket; discover that healthy cooking is inexpensive; learn how to eat out without ruining your eating plan and how to resist workplace temptations.
• You have diabetes, cardiovascular problems, high blood pressure, or kidney problems.  An RD serves as an integral part of your healthcare team by helping you safely change your eating plan without compromising taste or nutrition.
• You have digestive problems or other medical problems. An RD will work with your physician to help fine-tune your diet so you are not aggravating your condition.
• You're caring for an aging parent.  An RD can help with food or drug interactions, proper hydration, special diets for blood pressure issues and changing taste buds.
• You need to gain or lose weight. An RD can suggest addition calorie sources for healthy weight gain or a restricted-calore eating plan plus regular physical activity for weight loss while still eating all your favorite foods.

Nutrition Professional available for consultations

Resources 

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is sometimes called a "silent disease," with few if any noticeable changes to your health to indicate you have it. Often, the first indication of osteoporosis is when a bone breaks. Taking steps to build bone health while you are young can literally make or break what will happen to your bones as you age. However, at every age, a bone-building diet and regular physical activity are important. They help ensure bone tissue continues to be built.

Heart Disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America. One in three adults has some form of heart/cardiovascular disease. Many of these deaths and risk factors are preventable, and food choices have a big impact on your heart’s health, even if you have other risk factors.

American Heart Association, Vermont  

Gastrointestinal Diseases

Food Allergies and Intolerances     

Celiac Disease and gluten free information    

Irritable Bowel Syndrome      

Diabetes

Diabetes  is a condition that affects how your body uses energy, in the form of glucose, from food. People with diabetes have a high level of glucose in their blood. People with diabetes need to keep their blood sugar levels within a healthy range. Blood sugar levels are controlled through diet, physical activity and, for some people, medication or insulin injections.

American Diabetes Association

Cancer

Cancer  strikes about one in three adults over his or her lifetime. The good news: lifestyle changes, along with early detection, can prevent nearly half of all cancer deaths. Your diet is one of the most important factors under your control that can reduce cancer risk.  

American Cancer Society  


Hypertension and Kidney Disease

The most common cause of hypertension (high blood pressure) is diet and lifestyle. The most common causes of chronic kidney disease are poorly controlled diabetes and high blood pressure.

DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. Research supported by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI) has shown that the DASH eating plan can lower blood pressure and LDL (bad) cholesterol which can reduce your risk for heart disease. This heart-healthy eating plan also provides nutrients that are in short supply in many Americans' diets.

National Kidney Foundation  

Resources:

Department of Disabilities, Aging & Independent Living
The Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living is working to make Vermont the best state in which to grow old or to live with a disability ~ with dignity, respect and independence. The department includes four divisions including- Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Disability and Aging Services, Licensing and Protection, Vocational Rehabilitation.


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The Mission of the CDC is to collaborate to create the expertise, information, and tools that people and communities need to protect their health - through health promotion, prevention of disease, injury and disability, and preparedness for new health threats.  Contains resources for information, handouts, etc. when you click on a topic.  

Vermont Department of Health  

Fletcher Allen Health Care