Nutrition services
Children need good nutrition to develop healthy bodies and minds. But some children face health difficulties, such as food allergies or diabetes, that can make getting the nutrition they need challenging. Nutrition Services provides customized nutrition assessments, planning and advice designed to help your child grow and be healthy.
Through medical nutrition therapy, a Cook Children's pediatric dietitian can help prevent and manage diseases that affect your child's health, fitness and overall well-being. Cook Children's has registered dietitians and dietetic technicians on staff to help with your child's nutritional needs from birth all the way through the teen years.
Services offered
We offer individual and group counseling where kids and families can learn about the nutritious options available to them in a fun and supportive environment. Counseling is available in English and Spanish.
Individual counseling is available for the following:
- Weight management (overweight/obesity)
- Underweight and failure to thrive
- Food allergies/food intolerance
- Picky eating and normal nutrition
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Cardiovascular disease, hypertension, elevated blood cholesterol
- Vegetarian/vegan diets
- Tube feedings
Request a nutrition appointment
To request a nutrition appointment, please fill out the following form. We will contact your doctor to request a referral, then call you to schedule the appointment.
Nutrition classes
- For the summer schedule of Nutrition classes click here
Nutrition University
Healthy Lifestyles Program
Let our team of registered dietitians help you by enrolling in one of our summer sessions of Nutrition University. The first session begins Tuesday, April 30 and meets every Tuesday for 5 weeks from 5:30-7 pm. The second session begins Tuesday, June 16 and also meets for 5 weeks on Tuesday from 5:30-7 pm.
Classes are for children ages 7-18. Parents must attend class with children. The cost is $80 and must be paid by cash or check. Scholarships of up to 75% of the class cost are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information and to sign up, please call 682-885-4046 or submit the form below. Physician referral is required.
Program overview
Since Fall of 2009, Nutrition University has enrolled 90 participants. In the past year, more than 75% of participants have successfully completed the program. More than 60% of participants completing the program reduced their body mass index (BMI) (an indicator of body fatness) and waist circumference. 80% have had reductions in blood pressure.
Each family will be provided with:
- Materials and tools to support their child in the program
- Help with adoption of healthy lifestyle habits
- Nutrition and physical activity information
- Goal setting tips for long-term weight maintenance
- Healthy food demonstrations
Upon completion of the session, participants will be able to:
- Set realistic goals
- Identify healthy portion sizes
- Understand how to read food labels
- Identify emotional eating and its triggers
- Gain the information needed to consume a balanced diet including all the food groups
- Learn the best ways to be more physically active
Discuss the program with your physician to help determine if the program is best suited for your child. You also may need to ask your child's doctor for a referral. For your and your doctor's convenience, referral forms are provided in PDF format below.
Nutrition University Mini-Courses
For families who can't attend a full Nutrition University course, Nutrition Services offers mini-courses in English or Spanish on weight management with tips on managing cholesterol and triglycerides.
Class schedule:
- Nutrition University: Healthy Weight, Healthy You! mini course: Thursdays at 4 p.m.
- Universidad de Nutricion: Peso Sano, Vida Sana! mini course: Tuesdays at 3 p.m.
Class description:
- Parents and kids can learn the basics of eating for a healthy lifestyle. If your child has elevated cholesterol or triglycerides or is overweight, we want to help! We will teach you ways to move your child to a healthy weight and keep their risk for high cholesterol and chronic disease low.
To sign up for classes, please call 682-885-4046 or “request a nutrition appointment using the form above”. We'll get in touch with your doctor and ask for a referral. Classes are held in our new location:
Dodson Specialty Clinics - 5th Floor
Referral forms
References
Looking for more information, tips, and healthy recipes kids and families will actually eat? Cook Children's has a wide variety of resources designed to keep your child healthy, and your family happy!
For more info – call 682-885-4046 or email nutrition.opservices@cookchildrens.org.
