Therapeutic nutrition therapy (TNT) is a nutritional treatment for various temporary and chronic conditions. A specialized dietitian develops a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs. This may include dietary changes or the administration of nutrients through a feeding tube or intravenously. TNT can last for years, helping you manage chronic conditions.
What is Therapeutic Nutrition?
Therapeutic nutrition (TNN) is a type of treatment that uses nutritional education and behavioral counseling to prevent or treat disease. A registered dietitian works with you and other associates of your healthcare team to determine your health needs and personal goals. The dietitian then designs a unique eating plan that allows you to maximize your micronutrient and macronutrient intake, while optimizing your health. They also help you implement the plan.
Your doctor or specialist may recommend TNN to treat certain chronic conditions, such as diabetes or kidney disease. TNN can help you maintain or avoid other treatments, such as medications. TNN is also vital for people who cannot swallow or digest food normally due to short- or long-term illnesses.
Depending on your needs, TNN may mean:
- Avoiding or limiting certain foods.
- Ensuring you get enough of certain foods and nutrients.
- Taking nutritional supplements. Obtain nutrients through intravenous nutritional therapy (parenteral nutrition) or tube feeding (enteral nutrition). Your healthcare professional will inform you about what to expect.
What conditions are treated with nutritional therapy?
Nutrition therapy can help treat a variety of conditions, including:
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD).
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Diseases affecting the digestive system, such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and ulcerative colitis.
- Diabetes mellitus (type 1, type 2, and gestational) and prediabetes.
- Heart failure.
- High blood pressure.
- High cholesterol, triglycerides, and other conditions associated with abnormal blood lipid levels (dyslipidemia).
- Poor nutrition, including in cancer patients.
- Overweight and obesity.
Who provides medical nutritional therapy?
In the United States, medical nutrition therapy is provided by registered dietitians (RDs) and registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs). These healthcare professionals have specialized training that allows them to provide you with reliable and safe recommendations. Individuals with general dietitian or even nutrition specialist degrees may have different levels of training. It’s important to make sure you work with a registered dietitian or registered dietitian nutritionist to receive reliable and medically sound advice. Additionally, your insurance may only cover consultations with a registered dietitian or registered dietitian nutritionist.
Your dietitian will work with other healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses, to develop your eating plan and support you every step of the way.
Treatment Information
What does medical nutrition entail?
Dietitians typically perform the following steps in medical nutrition:
- Nutritional Assessment: Understanding your nutritional needs.
- Nutritional Diagnosis: Identifying the nutritional problem that needs to be addressed.
- Nutritional Intervention: Developing a plan and explaining the next steps.
- Nutritional Monitoring and Assessment: Checking your current status and adjusting the plan as needed.
This process may vary depending on the patient’s needs. For example, if you are hospitalized for a serious illness, you may not be able to actively participate in the process, at least for a while. If your child requires daily nutrition therapy (DNT), you can collaborate with your dietitian to coordinate their care.
Let’s discuss each step in more detail:
Nutritional Assessment
This is the first time your dietitian learns about you and your health. They will review your medical history and test results, but this information only tells part of the story. Your opinion is also important.
Your dietitian will talk with you to better understand your needs, goals, and preferences. They may ask you about:
- The foods you regularly eat.
- Any food allergies or intolerances.
- Your lifestyle or cultural factors that affect how and what you eat.
- What difficulties you have accessing or preparing food.
- What foods are available or unavailable to you.
Nutritional diagnosis.
This is the nutritional problem your dietitian will focus on treating. A nutritional diagnosis is different from a medical diagnosis (such as diabetes). Nutritional diagnoses typically focus on your intake of certain nutrients.
For example, you could be consuming too much or too little of a particular nutrient, such as carbohydrates. Your dietitian will determine the underlying cause of the problem, as well as the signs (such as lab results) and symptoms (such as gas and flatulence).
Nutritional Intervention
Based on the assessment and diagnosis, your dietitian will develop a plan to address your nutritional needs. They will discuss your role in the plan with you, including any changes you may need to make to your daily routine. They will also inform you about your upcoming appointments, including individual and possibly group meetings. In some cases, virtual (telemedicine) appointments are possible.
Nutritional Monitoring and Assessment
Once the plan is established, your dietitian will check in with you periodically to see how things are going. They will review your test results, discuss how you are feeling, and consult with other healthcare professionals.
If you feel something is not right or have any concerns, please let your dietitian know. They will answer your questions and adjust the plan if necessary.
How long will I need medical nutrition therapy?
This depends on your situation and the condition being treated. Medical nutrition therapy can last for months or years. In some cases, it is lifelong. Your healthcare professional will discuss your individual treatment program with you.
Risks/Benefits
What are the potential benefits of therapeutic nutrition?
Therapeutic nutrition can help you:
- Get the nutrients you need to relieve the symptoms or effects of an illness.
- Get nutrients you can’t get from food alone.
- Reduce your cholesterol, blood sugar, and other levels to healthy levels to avoid or supplement medications.
- Nourish your body when your digestive system isn’t working properly.
- Learn to overcome barriers to nutritious eating.
- Learn to incorporate physical activity into your daily routine.
- Take an active role in maintaining your health.
- Your dietitian will discuss what therapeutic nutrition can offer you based on your diagnosis or situation.
What are the risks of this treatment?
Risks vary depending on how you get the nutrition you need. For example:
- Intravenous nutrition (IVP) carries the risk of developing a bloodstream infection. Tube feeding can cause infection at the tube site or gastrointestinal problems such as constipation, nausea, or diarrhea.
- Dietary changes are safe and risk-free as long as you follow a dietitian’s recommendations. They will tell you if you should expect any changes in how you feel when adjusting your diet.
- Your healthcare professional can provide more information about the potential risks and how to manage them.
Recovery and Outlook
Is there anything I can do to make this treatment cooler for me?
Your dietitian will work with you to make NMT easier for you. They’ll want to know your preferences. They’ll also want to know if there are any obstacles to achieving your goals. For example, maybe there aren’t any healthy restaurants nearby. Or maybe you work a night shift and are too tired to cook at home. Talking to your dietitian about any challenges you’re facing can help you find solutions together.
It may be helpful to keep a journal of the foods and beverages you consume and when you consume them. Also, note any changes you’re willing or unwilling to make to your eating habits.
When to Call Your Doctor
When should you call your doctor?
Call your dietitian if you have questions or concerns about your eating plan. They can help you understand the plan and the steps you need to take to achieve your goals. They’ll also schedule regular visits to discuss how you’re feeling and adjust your plan as needed.
Overview
Nutrition therapy can seem like a new adventure or a new chapter in your life. It can be exciting, but also a little intimidating or even overwhelming. Talk to your dietitian about how you’re feeling. Their goal is not only to provide information but also to tailor treatment to your needs. They will do everything possible to help you achieve your goals.
Additional FAQs
What is artificial nutrition?
Previously, the term “artificial nutrition” was used to refer to nutrients administered through an intravenous catheter or tube. Currently, the preferred terms are parenteral nutrition (for intravenous nutrition) and enteral nutrition (for tube feeding).