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Clinical Nutrition and Lactation Services

Adequate and proper nutrition is important for a child’s normal growth and development. CHOC Clinical Nutrition and Lactation Services aims to be a reliable source of nutrition and lactation information for our patients, families and community.

We are here to help patients with growth and development, while giving them a foundation for lifelong health and wellness. We provide family-centered, culturally sensitive care that is custom for every individual, using evidence-based techniques and best practices with a multidisciplinary approach.

Boy and girl eating bananas

Articles and Tips

Health & Safety

Fueling your body for the virtual CHOC Walk

In order to prepare our bodies for physical activity, such as the virtual CHOC Walk, it’s essential we have adequate nutrition and hydration.

CHOC Blog

Health & Safety

Fiber for kids: High fiber recipes for kids

By Christina Sharkey, clinical dietitian at CHOC Adequate and proper nutrition is important for a child’s normal growth and development and since January is National Fiber Focus month, this is a great time to make sure that you and your family are getting enough fiber in your diet. Fiber is a beneficial part of our … Continue reading Fiber for kids: High fiber recipes for kids →

CHOC Blog

Health & Safety

Healthy snack ideas for the whole family

By Kelsey Childs, clinical dietitian at CHOC Does it seem like your children are snacking all the time? Do you find yourself snacking more during the pandemic as you work from home during COVID-19? You are not alone. With families spending more time than ever at home during the pandemic, many people have noticed an … Continue reading Healthy snack ideas for the whole family →

CHOC Blog

Health & Safety

Planning for a smaller Thanksgiving this year

By Stephanie Chang, clinical dietitian at CHOC Thanksgiving is just around the corner and many of us are thinking about what we’re going to do for Thanksgiving 2020. You might be thinking: “We won’t be able to have the big family celebration with our extended family.” “We won’t be able to have a big potluck … Continue reading Planning for a smaller Thanksgiving this year →

CHOC Blog

Health & Safety

The benefits of adding chickpeas to your family’s diet

By Laura Clapper, registered dietitian at CHOC Incorporating chickpeas – also known as garbanzo beans – a staple ingredient in hummus, into your family’s diet can result in a variety of health benefits. Health benefits of chickpeas Chickpeas have a soft creamy texture and a nutty, buttery taste. In addition to being filling, they offer … Continue reading The benefits of adding chickpeas to your family’s diet →

CHOC Blog

mother-daughter-baking-in-kitchen-together

Health & Safety

How to get kids involved in the kitchen: Tips for parents

By Lindsay Rypkema, clinical dietitian at CHOC School is back in session, and although for most this means in-home learning for the time being, there is no better time to get your kids involved in the kitchen, as recipes nicely tie into reading and math lessons. Take out all your measuring cups and spoons to … Continue reading How to get kids involved in the kitchen: Tips for parents →

CHOC Blog

We provide nutrition services on both an outpatient and inpatient basis, depending on our patients’ needs.

Outpatient Nutrition Counseling

One-on-one counseling with a registered dietitian is available with a physician’s referral. Nutrition counseling may be covered by insurance, but families should check with their child’s insurance provider to confirm coverage. Our nutrition consultations may include meal planning, nutrition assessments, monitoring tools, growth evaluations and child/family nutrition education. We help families treat common conditions in children, such as:

Picky eating
Poor weight gain/growth and malnutrition
Tube feeding assessments

Nutrition is also a key component of a number of other conditions a child may have. Our registered dietitians provide nutrition services as part of a multidisciplinary team in many CHOC specialty clinics and programs, including:

Inpatient Nutrition Services

Our dietitians are an important part of a child’s care team while he or she is staying with us in the hospital. We provide comprehensive nutrition services for patients of all ages according to medical need. These services include:

Screening patients for nutritional risks

Assessing nutritional needs and making recommendations on how to meet them

Making recommendations for infant feedings, including breast milk, formula or enteral/tube feeding products

Managing the care of patients receiving parenteral nutrition (IV nutrition)

Providing nutrition education and diet instructions for families.

Healthy Lifestyle Classes

Nutrition, physical activity and behavior choices are very important when it comes to a child’s health. At CHOC, we work closely with children and their families to develop healthy lifestyles and prevent serious conditions such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Learn more about our nutrition and lifestyle classes.