Nutrition

Who We Are

Nutrition Services are provided by Registered Dietitians. Dietitians are University trained, healthcare professionals who are regulated by Provincial College standards, much like Registered Nurses, Physicians or Pharmacists. The Dietitian is a member of your Family Health Team and is knowledgeable about many different diseases and conditions for ALL ages. Dietitians spend a lot of time keeping up with the latest research and nutrition news to ensure you have accurate information you can understand. The Barrie and Community Family Health Team Dietitian team consists of 4 Registered Dietitians and 2 Administrative Assistants who are happy to work with you to enhance your health! Dietitians will help you to enjoy a variety of foods and lasting good health wherever you live, work and play!

PDF – Dietitians and Chronic Disease Management

PDF – Dietitians in Primary Health Care (Better Health. Better Care. Better Value.)

PDF – Primary Care Dietitians: Make a Difference and Save Money

PDF – Primary Care Dietitians:  More Than ‘Just’ Nutrition Advice

WORD DOC – Keeping a 3 Day Food Journal

Service Overview

Many people associate Dietitians with ‘dieting’, this is far from the truth! Dietitians love to promote healthy lifestyle changes that include great tasting foods that are also very good for you! When you come to see us, we will listen to your concerns and provide you with the information you need to properly self-manage your specific health condition. We can also help you set goals to improve your overall health.

The Barrie and Community Family Health Team Registered Dietitian’s are here to support and work with you through the changes you will make, providing guidance and little tips to make things easier! Here are just some of the areas that a Dietitian can help with:

  • Healthy eating and balanced nutrition
  • Improving daily energy levels
  • Weight loss
  • Lowering cholesterol
  • Reducing blood pressure
  • Managing blood sugars
  • Heartburn, kidney stones, and gout
  • Celiac Disease, IBS, Crohn’s, Colitis
  • Prenatal nutrition
  • Reviewing your vitamin/mineral supplements
  • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
  • Allergies
  • Anemia
  • Vegetarianism
  • Selective Eaters (more commonly known as “picky eaters”)
  • Diabetes Management

We also offer group information sessions where you can learn more about the health concerns that are important to you! Information sessions are hosted in a comfortable group setting where you will have the opportunity to hear the newest and latest information around common topics of concern and ask questions relevant to your health! Learn more about the great information sessions we currently offer.

If you are interested in seeing one of our skilled Registered Dietitians, please speak with your Physician or Nurse Practitioner.

Appointment Information

You must be referred to Dietitian Services by your Physician or Nurse Practitioner. However, if you yourself have recognized that this service would benefit you and you are motivated to enhance your health, you can request that your Physician or Nurse Practitioner send us a referral on your behalf. Once the referral has been received, we will call you to schedule your first appointment. You are welcome to bring a family member or support person with you during your visit. An initial visit with a Registered Dietitian takes approx. 1 hour, follow-up sessions are 20 to 30 minutes. The Dietitian will work with you to develop a healthier lifestyle plan for your specific health or nutrition concern. During your appointment with the Registered Dietitian we will:

  • Review your personal health history
  • Discuss your current eating habits
  • Answer any questions you have about your health condition, proper nutrition, and supplements
  • Work with you to set realistic goals so that you can achieve the best results for your health
  • Depending on the reason for your referral, you may also be encouraged to attend a group Information Session.

 

Once you have an appointment scheduled with one of our dietitians, please download and complete the 3 day food record.  This food record will help the dietitian assess your daily food choices and provide you with individual recommendations that are suited to your likes and lifestyle.  The link to the 3 day food record is at the top of this page.

Group sessions are taught in a comfortable environment with ample time for questions and discussion with the group and dietitian. Please note, you will not be asked to share personal information.

Nutrition Screening Tool for Children

Dietitians of Canada is excited to announce the launch of Nutri-eSTEP at www.nutritionscreen.ca

Dietitians of Canada, and the staff of EatRight Ontario, have worked with the University of Guelph to bring the NutriSTEP® nutrition screening questionnaires for preschoolers (3-5 years) and toddlers (18-35 months) online.  The valid and reliable nutrition screening tools have been used by service providers across Canada for several years, and have been beneficial in helping service agencies identify needs in their community and provide education and counseling to parents.  NutriSTEP® has been used in acute care, primary care, and public health settings.   Launching the Nutri-eSTEP online tool means that more parents across Canada can benefit from the screening tool. In less than 10 minutes, parents or a caregiver can complete the online questionnaire, receive immediate feedback on “What is Going Well” and “What to Work On”, and be linked to healthy eating resources and community services.   A flyer to promote Nutri-eSTEP to parents and other caregivers is available at:

Information Sessions

All visits to the Registered Dietitian are covered by OHIP. To help us better manage the large volume of referrals we receive, group information sessions are offered to patients with common health concerns such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol. In the group sessions, you will get the same information that you would get in a one-on-one visit. These sessions are led by healthcare professionals and provide opportunity for discussion and questions. After attending an Information Session, one-on-one follow-up visits are also available to further support you in reaching your health goals. 

Information sessions are currently available virtually (via ZOOM). Please return to the main page to view the list of upcoming sessions or call 705-721-0370 x2907 and speak with our Administrative Assistant.

Virtual Nutrition

Click here to access our Virtual Nutrition information page.

Patient Resources:

Below is a list of reputable informative resources to further help you, in the pursuit of your personal health goals!

Dietitians of Canada
College of Dietitians of Ontario
Meals for You
Cooking for the Rushed
Food Allergy Network
Heart and Stroke Foundation
Osteoporosis Society of Canada
Eat Right Ontario Dietitians