National Nutrition Month and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day

Posted about 2 months ago in Awareness

March is National Nutrition Month and March 13th is Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day.

Nutrition and dietitians are an important part of the cancer team. Cancer and cancer treatments may cause side effects that affect nutrition. Anorexia, vomiting, mouth sores, taste changes and trouble with weight are some of the side effects that cancer patients may experience.

National Nutrition Month® started in 1973 as National Nutrition Week, and it became a month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing interest in nutrition. The theme for National Nutrition Month® 2024 is "Beyond the Table." - Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

A registered dietitian (or nutritionist) is a part of the team of health professionals that help with cancer treatment and recovery. Celebrate this RDN Day by recognizing the invaluable expertise and contributions of registered dietitian nutritionists! Please recognize and celebrate your RDNs on their special day.

Nutrition Resources

Dietitian Support

Find a Dietitian find a local dietitian, this is a billable services
HEB stores have nutrition services (Texas resource)
Intelligent Nutrition Assistant securely text questions to a nutrition expert by registering online, they will check in with patients daily and make recommendations based on symptoms, free service
PearlPoint Nutrition Services schedule a free call with a dietitian (she is also a certified diabetes educator), Navigators can refer patients

These are all for oral nutrition. For feeding tube nutrition, many of the formula supply companies have dietitians on staff. Some oncology offices and insurance companies have dietitians. The above services that are free do not require a doctor’s order but patients are encouraged to discuss it with their doctor(s).

Nutrition Booklets and Websites for Cancer Patients

American Cancer Society: Nutrition for People with Cancer
American Institute for Cancer Research provides practical tools and information to help prevent and survive cancer
Cancer Dietitian
Conquer Today: Nutrition articles
Chemocare: Nutrition during Chemotherapy
Eating Hints Before, During, and After Treatment (NCI) download a free booklet
OncoLink Nutrition
Patient Resource: Nutrition
PearlPoint Nutrition nutrition tips

Nutrition Products

Boost oncology product
Ensure get recipes and sign up for savings
Glucerna get recipes and sign up for savings

Enteral/Parenteral Feedings and Ostomies

American College of Surgeons: Feeding Tube Home Skills Program free videos to view
American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN)
MyTubeFeeding Nestle-sponsored tube feeding resource for adults including information to support their first day home with tube feeding, educational resources and information on pumps and tubing.
Oley Foundation for people fed by IV (TPN) or feeding tubes; has tips, resources troubleshooting guides, Oley Foundation brochures and flyers and Oley Support Groups (Feeding Tube and TPN support groups).
United Ostomy Association: Diet and Nutrition

General Nutrition

Additional Nutrition Resources

Abbott Health Nutrition Institute resources, certificates of training and CEs
Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST)
Texas Health and Human Services: Nutrition Resources