Nutrition Counseling at Moores Cancer Center

Contact Us Nutrition counseling: 858-822-6100

Before You Can Make an Appointment

Before meeting with a dietitian for an appointment or group class, you must obtain a referral from your oncologist. You can then call 858-822-6100 to schedule.

Nutritional information can be confusing and sometimes seemingly contradictory.

UC San Diego Health offers nutrition counseling to help you understand dietary habits that may help reduce your risk of certain cancers, improve your well-being during treatment and possibly reduce your risk of recurrence. Our clinical dietitians stay up to date on the most current nutrition research and information so we can help you make the best nutritional choices.

Appointments with a Clinical Dietitian

Consultations with a clinical dietitian are available for patients undergoing treatment and experiencing dietary challenges including loss of appetite, nausea, difficulty swallowing, constipation, fatigue, and significant weight loss. There is a fee for consultation, but many insurance plans reimburse for the service. To schedule an appointment, obtain a referral from your oncologist, then call 858-822-6100.

Why Is Nutrition Important for Cancer Patients?

Throughout the cancer experience, from initial treatments and recovery through long-term survivorship, nutrition is an important component of care and overall health. Cancer and associated treatments can affect your appetite, your body’s need for nutrients, your eating habits, and the way your body digests food. After treatment, it is important to set and achieve health goals that will benefit your overall health and quality of life. A healthy balanced diet may be challenging during cancer treatment, but it is important for supporting your body’s needs during this time. Achieving and maintaining a good nutritional status can:

Increase the likelihood of completing prescribed treatments

Reduce treatment recovery time

Improve health-related quality of life

Reduce risk of developing other diseases, such as heart disease or diabetes

Possibly reduce risk for recurrence and new primary cancers

Possibly improve prognosis and overall survival rates