A dietitian is a healthcare professional who specializes in food and nutrition. Dietitians in BC play a critical role in promoting and maintaining the health and well-being of individuals and communities.
Tips & Links
Dietitians have a degree in foods and nutrition from an accredited university program and have comprehensive training in hospital and community settings.
Learn More
- Dietitians are regulated by the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC.
- Be aware that your nutrition can be impacted by changes in your health and side effects to medications and treatments. Symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, pain, and changes in your emotional health and taste can affect your appetite.
- Learn about healthy eating using the Canada Food Guide from the Government of Canada.
- Consider working with a dietitian for counselling, problem-solving, meal planning and help answering your diet and nutrition questions or concerns.
- For answers to your dietary and eating questions, you can Dial-a-Dietitian at 811 (or for Hard-of-Hearing 711) at Healthlink BC. They also provide specialized services such as oncology services.
- You can also email a Dietitian in BC for specific questions about your diet.
- Consider learning about holistic nutrition as an alternative approach to your diet from the Canadian Association of Holistic-Nutrition Professionals.
- Learn about low income food support programs in your community like the list provided by the Fraser Health Authority.
Things You Can Do
- Review these tips on eating well when living with cancer or a health condition from the Cancer Society of Canada.
- Check out healthy eating suggestions for seniors – available in a number of languages – from the Government of BC.
- Check out the guide on eating healthy suggested by the First Nations Health Authority.
- Be aware of disordered eating and its overall impact on your health from the National Eating Disorder & Information Centre.
- Share with your physician or nurse practitioner any changes to your diet and all supplements, herbs and vitamins you are taking. Record all changes on your medication record.
- Make a list of your favourite meals and special diet requirements. Share it with your care partners so they can make meals for your freezer – be sure to include your preferences of salt, spices, and flavours.
- Explore meal support services in your community that provide home delivery, ethnic choices, and volunteers who may include an emotional health check-in.
Add your Dietitian to your My Health Care & Business Professionals PDF tool found in My People. Include their contact information and any questions you have for them. Save digital and print files. Record all allergies, sensitivities or side effects to vitamins, supplements and herbs on your Health Profile and Medication List in the activities in My Health Information.