Dietitians and nutrition counseling
Our nutrition programs and services are offered by a Registered Dietitian (RD). Registered dietitians are specially trained to provide medical nutrition therapy to help individuals manage chronic conditions, promote health, and prevent illness.
Our dietitians provide a wide range of counseling services including:
- Nutrition across the lifespan (from pediatric to older adult care)
- Heart health (high cholesterol and/blood pressure)
- Chronic disease eg. prediabetes, diabetes, kidney, cancer, osteoporosis
- GI issues including IBS, IBD, celiac disease, and food intolerances
- Weight management
- Eating disorders and disordered eating
- And more...
Currently, our dietitians are involved in the following group sessions available to SAFHT patients:
- Prediabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Healthy Heart, Healthy You
- Craving Change ™: A How-to Guide for Changing Your Relationship with Food
- Connections: Keeping You Healthy with Chronic Conditions
- Chomp & Stomp: Baby’s First Steps in Eating and Moving
What is the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist?
Registered Dietitians are regulated by a provincial regulatory body, and the terms "Dietitian" and "Registered Dietitian" are protected by the law. Dietitian education and training requires a minimum completion of a four-year university degree accredited by Dietitians of Canada, and a 1-2 year post-graduate dietetic internship. Additionally, dietitians must pass a registration exam to obtain professional licensure. Many dietitians also have additional undergraduate/post-graduate degrees, and/ certification in specialized fields, such as diabetes, renal, or enteral and parenteral nutrition support. Registered dietitians often have training beyond evidence-based clinical nutrition, to help counsel and support clients in setting goals to improve eating habits.
The term "nutritionist" is not protected by law, therefore they may not be accountable for their professional services and the public is not protected. Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist, so the education and training of a nutritionist may vary greatly.
"All registered dietitians are nutritionists but not all nutritionists are registered dietitians."
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Online Nutrition Screening
Visit www.nutritionscreen.ca to find out what is going well, and what needs improvement in your diet. Questionnaires take less than 10 minutes to complete. Depending on your score, you could benefit from seeing a Registered Dietitian to help you better meet your nutrition needs.
Currently, online nutrition screening is available for toddlers, preschoolers and older adults. Use the guide below to help decide which screen is right for you:
- For parents of toddlers 18-35 months: Nutri-eSTEP
- For parents of preschoolers 3-5 years: Nutri-eSTEP
- For adults 50 years and older: Nutri-eSCREEN
Nutrition Resources
Clinic hours (By appointment only)
Regular office hours: Monday-Friday 9am-4:30pm
Evening hours: Monday-Thursday 5:30-8:00pm (after hours physician)
Weekend coverage: Saturday and Sunday 9am-3pm (after hours physician)
*Weekend on-site clinic times will vary depending on the week and are strictly by appointment only. If you need after-hours assistance, please call your family doctor’s regular office number for information on how to connect with someone for help for urgent matters.
Contact us »
After-hours care »
COVID-19 concerns »
If you are feeling unwell with any of the following symptoms:
Fever, new cough, muscle aches, difficulty breathing (or a combination of these symptoms)
Please complete the self-assessment questionnaire to determine if you need to be assessed at one of the COVID-19 Assessment Centres, or phone:
Toronto Public Health:
416-338-7600
TelehealthOntario:
1-866-797-0000
Important notice
If you or your family member are part of the Family Health Team and are admitted to a hospital, please let us know.
OUT-OF-PROVINCE OR OUT OF COUNTRY CARE REMINDER
Please note that we cannot legally provide care (this includes virtually or over the phone) if you are out of the province or the country. This includes medication renewals and telephone advice. Please plan accordingly if you plan to be away.
