Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) benefits patients with a variety of medical conditions that are related to eating patterns and habits. Anyone diagnosed with any of the following nutrition-related conditions should consult with a registered dietitian.

• Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, congestive heart failure, kidney disease, pulmonary disease, overweight/obesity, food allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease or Crohn's disease.

Insurance plans and Medicare may provide coverage for these visits. You may want to check with your insurer for more specific information. Medicare requires that you have a diagnosis of diabetes or renal disease.

Among other advantages, Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) has been shown to contribute to:

1. Improvement of health and quality of life for individuals with various diseases, including those listed above,
2. Disease prevention and overall wellness, and
3. Reduction of hospitalization, prescription drug use, and doctor visits.

Patients are taught how to eat a balanced diet of tasty foods without feeling deprived, which is the key to long-term success. It is possible to lead a healthy lifestyle in an environment that can make it very difficult to do so.