Nutrition Services
Overview
The Hospital at The Children's Institute Clinical Nutrition Services department provides food and nutrition therapy that meets the needs of children with disabilities. Family involvement is encouraged whenever possible. This department also provides outreach programs, including nutrition education and seminars, in the tri-state area.
Registered dietitians evaluate all inpatients’ nutritional status at admission and develop a care plan with measurable goals. Our dietitians work with other disciplines within The Hospital to execute and revise the plan as necessary as well as communicate the patient's nutritional status and recommendations for continuing care. Clinical dietitians provide recommendations and educational activities that meet the needs and objectives of the child based on the nutritional assessment, family needs, cultural and religious practices, socioeconomic status and emotional/physical/cognitive/language barriers.
In addition, our clinical nutrition services department provides nutritional counseling and educational activities for patients, families and staff as needed. We also provide discharge and follow-up recommendations and services for all patients.
Our clinical dietitians play a vital role in the treatment programs for patients with Prader-Willi Syndrome. Using the innovative “Red, Yellow, Green”® Weight Control Program developed at The Children’s Institute, the dietitians guide the highly successful weight loss of patients with Prader-Willi Syndrome.
What the Red-Yellow-Green® Weight Control System is All About
Our trademarked weight control system is one that will make the difficult task of losing weight easier for everyone in the family. Called the “Red-Yellow-Green System,” it is based on a color system that is familiar to everyone — the traffic light. Just as in the traffic light, Green means "go," yellow means "caution — be careful, go slow," and red means "stop."
No more counting calories
Using an individualized daily meal plan and the “Red-Yellow-Green System,”
calories are controlled by dividing food into low, moderate and high-calorie
food groups. One learns to "go" with some foods, "be cautious" with some, and "stop," with still others.
- The Green foods are low in calories, and second servings are permitted.
- The Yellow foods are high in calories but also are rich in the nutrients
needed by the body. These foods are the basic foods for a well-balanced
diet, and are included in the daily meal plan in specified amounts. - The Red foods are high in calories and have limited nutrient content per
calorie. Eating too many of these foods leads to weight gain. The use of
the red foods is very limited in the daily meal plan.
Download and mail in this form to order the weight control program.
Please mail order forms to:
The Children’s Institute NUTRITION SERVICES
1405 Shady Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15217-1350
Outpatient Services
On an outpatient basis, the clinical dietitians participate in multidisciplinary Functional Feeding evaluations and treatment and accept referrals for evaluation and nutritional counseling for other children with diabetes, obesity and other similar problems.
