Nutrition Counseling

Nutrition counseling sessions: What to expect

Before your first session, record everything you eat or drink for three consecutive days. Bring the information to your first counseling session.

Your dietitian will meet with you several times to provide evidence-based, customized nutrition recommendations. During the sessions, your dietitian will:

• Assess your current eating habits

• Review your health history

• Suggest strategies to help you achieve a healthy, balanced diet

• Provide nutrition guidelines to help manage health conditions

• Tailor meal planning guidelines

Insurance

A physician's referral is required to obtain services for medical nutrition therapy in the Nutrition Counseling Clinic. The referral form can be downloaded here. Once completed, the referral can be faxed to (415) 502-2689 or submitted via the electronic medical record. Once a referral is made, insurance preauthorization is needed to make an appointment.

When preauthorization is complete, patients will receive a scheduling ticket through MyChart. Alternatively, patients who know their preauthorization is complete may contact our Call Center at (415) 353-4174 to make an appointment. A referral is valid for up to a year from the date the referral was ordered.

Some insurance plans do not cover nutrition counseling for medical nutrition therapy. If yours does not, you may receive a bill for your appointment. Discounts of up to 70% are available for self-pay patients. If you have questions, please call the UCSF Nutrition Counseling Clinic at (415) 353-2291.