Nutrition Services
At Summit Health, our nutrition services connect you with a registered dietitian who takes the time to understand your goals, your health history, and your everyday life.
Overview
What you eat shapes how you feel today and how well you live tomorrow. Good nutrition can lower your risk of serious conditions like heart disease and certain cancers. It can also help you manage diseases you already have, from diabetes to high blood pressure, through diet alone or alongside exercise and medication.
At Summit Health, our nutrition services connect you with a registered dietitian who takes the time to understand your goals, your health history, and your everyday life. Together, you build a plan that fits you, not a one-size-fits-all diet.
What makes our approach different is teamwork. Your registered dietitian partners closely with Summit Health cardiologists, endocrinologists, and obstetricians, as well as the expert staff in our Diabetes Live Well Program. This means your nutritional counseling reflects your complete picture of health, so you receive thoughtful, coordinated care every step of the way.
Whether you want to lose weight, eat well during pregnancy, boost your energy, or manage a specific medical condition, we are here to guide you. Through clear education on nutritious foods and practical tips for avoiding common allergens, our dietitians help you feel your best and stay healthy for years to come.
Conditions and procedures
Our registered dietitians support patients across a wide range of health needs. We provide expert nutritional counseling and medical nutrition therapy for conditions including:
- Diabetes – Manage blood sugar with a plan built around your daily routine, in coordination with our Diabetes Live Well Program.
- Heart disease – Choose heart-healthy foods that support your cardiovascular care.
- Obesity and weight management – Reach and maintain a healthy weight with realistic, lasting strategies.
- High blood pressure – Adjust your diet to help keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.
- Hypothyroidism – Fuel your body well while managing thyroid-related concerns.
- Pregnancy nutrition – Nourish yourself and your baby with guidance tailored to each stage of pregnancy.
- Fatigue – Improve energy levels through smarter, more balanced eating.
Services we offer
- Personalized diet plans – Nutritional plans designed around your health goals, preferences, and medical needs.
- Nutrition counseling – One-on-one support and education to help you make confident food choices.
- Medical nutrition therapy – Evidence-based treatment that uses diet to help manage and improve specific medical conditions.
- Food allergy guidance – Practical tips for identifying and avoiding common food allergens while keeping meals enjoyable and nutritious.
Every plan starts with three simple keys to healthy eating: making smart choices from each food group, finding a balance between what you eat and how you move, and getting the most nutrition from your calories.
Our specialists
Mildred Bentler, MA, RD, CDE
Mary Friesz, PhD, RDN, CDCES
Allison F. Holzer, RD
Leslie Killeen, MS, RDN, CDCES
Locations
Using nutrition services to live a healthy life
Everyone knows eating healthy is important. Nutritious foods keep our bodies in tip-top shape, give us energy, and have a positive effect on our mood. We all know there are many benefits to healthy eating, and still so many of us fill our plates with the wrong foods.
Patient resources
Frequently Asked Questions
A registered dietitian is a credentialed nutrition expert who evaluates your health, eating habits, and goals, then creates a personalized plan to help you eat better and feel stronger. At Summit Health, your dietitian also works alongside your other providers to keep your care connected.
Medical nutrition therapy is a science-based treatment that uses food and nutrition to help manage specific health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure. Your dietitian tailors it to your diagnosis and monitors your progress over time.
Some insurance plans require a referral for nutrition services, while others do not. We recommend checking with your insurance provider or your primary care doctor. Our team is happy to help you understand your options.
Yes. Our dietitians offer practical, sustainable strategies for weight management, rather than quick fixes. You will get support that fits your lifestyle and helps you maintain your results long term.
Eating well during pregnancy supports both your health and your baby's development. Our dietitians provide guidance for every stage, working closely with your obstetrician to keep you and your baby nourished.