A day as a dietitian
You work at your local hospital, and the day starts with a quick call to the surgical ward to check on nasogastric tube feeds which you arranged for a patient.
You then go to your out-patient clinic and the first appointment is a young woman who has just been diagnosed with coeliac disease. After discussing what the condition means, you help her to plan a suitable diet which avoids gluten-containing foods and discuss how she can get some foods, like gluten-free bread, on prescription. You also see patients with diabetes, a child who is struggling with her weight, and a lady who has raised cholesterol levels.
At the end of the clinic you return to the department office and sort out messages from the ward and after lunch, you attend a multidisciplinary team meeting on the ward to discuss the progress of patients in your care, and then go to give a talk to parents and teachers at a local school which is trying to encourage a healthy food culture. They are all really keen to hear what you say, and it is great to be able to answer all their questions and apply your detailed knowledge of food and nutrition.
