Food is about more than just fueling the body. Eating is also about enjoyment of good meals and the social pleasures of the table. When a digestive disorder is diagnosed and nutrition counseling recommended, fears of limited food options and restrictive dietary measures might arise.
But the approach of nutritional counseling at UCLA is different. We are here to help you find the balance between managing symptoms and continuing to enjoy the pleasures of eating. Together, we will develop a balanced approach to nutrition and overall well-being for you.
The team approach to patient management means that the dietitian and physicians work closely to develop a care plan that helps manage the symptoms of your disorder while maintaining life balance. "A multidisciplinary approach is very important in treating patients with digestive diseases, and nutrition is part of the armamentarium that can help them, along with medication, education, behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes," says Lin Chang, MD, co-director, G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience. "It's a healthy intervention, and it's something that patients can do to feel they have some control over their symptoms. Given what we know about the role of nutrition in these disorders, it makes a great deal of sense to have a dietitian as an integral part of the care team."
