Medical Nutrition Therapy

Medical Nutrition Therapy is a main treatment for your diabetes management. Medical nutrition therapy is a personalized approach to your individual nutritional preferences, lifestyle demands and health requirements. You will meet for individual sessions with our registered dietitian (RD) and certified diabetes educator (CDE). Dietitians are trained to work with you to customize and encourage realistic ways for you to improve your diet. Together, you will work to identify what changes will benefit your health and you decide what you are willing to change now. Nutritional coaching is designed to encourage steady, slow and achievable changes to help manage blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol and weight, as well as other medical conditions that you may have. Education and advice on carbohydrate management of your food choices, label reading, food shopping and preparation needs, when to take your medicines, when to test your blood sugars and interpret their results, and weight management are some of the areas that will be addressed. Individualization is key to your success. Maintaining habits and choices for a lifetime is absolutely essential for you.

We encourage you to seek medical nutrition therapy along with your diabetes self-management training to receive optimal education for your success.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How can I make use of the Diabetes Education Center at Bridgeport Hospital?
There are two ways that you may enter the Program:
1.) Your physician may refer you. We will then contact you directly to make the appointment.
OR
2.) You may call the Diabetes Education Center at 203-336-7305, extension 1, and speak with our secretary to schedule an appointment or receive general information about our program. We will obtain the necessary referral from your physician or healthcare provider. Your physician or healthcare provider must complete the referral form before your first appointment.

Who conducts the sessions?
Our registered nurse and registered dietitians, all of whom are certified diabetes educators, present the sessions. Certified diabetes educators have in-depth knowledge of all aspects of diabetes.

What is the timeframe for the program?
The program begins with an initial assessment by a dietitian and nurse. There are two ways to progress through our program: individual or group sessions. Group sessions meet once a week for four weeks and last 90 minutes each.

Does my health insurance cover this service?
Health insurance plans can be different, based on the insured and the insurance carrier. We recommend that you call the 1-800 phone number listed on the back of your insurance card to verify what coverage you have. You should ask if both Diabetes Self-Management Training and Medical Nutrition Therapy for Diabetes or Pre-Diabetes are covered. Your insurance carrier will inform you what services are covered and what co-payments might apply. You should also ask if your insurance carrier needs a referral from your physician or healthcare provider for this service.

You should attend this program:

• If you are newly diagnosed with diabetes
• If you are diagnosed with diabetes and have never had Diabetes Self-Management Education or Medical Nutrition Therapy Education
• If you feel you need an educational refresher course
• If your diabetes condition is worsening and /or medication changes have occurred
• If your lifestyle has recently changed and you need guidance on adjusting your diabetes lifestyle, for instance, if you are recently retired, or have a new job or new work hours.

If you desire, you may bring a support person with you during your visits.

Please be aware that we do not replace your physician or healthcare provider. We look forward to working with you to help design your role in managing your diabetes.