Working with a Registered Dietitian

Once a diagnosis of Congenital Sucrase-Isomaltase Deficiency (CSID) has been made, it is important for you to work with a registered dietitian to review dietary restrictions and to develop an understanding of food content, food nutrition labels, and ingredients. Finding foods that are appropriate for you may be difficult and time-consuming. Many of you find the process of starting on a CSID-friendly diet overwhelming at first. Consulting a registered dietitian assists in making this process easier.

Registered dietitians are experts in food and nutrition who have met both academic and professional requirements. Registered dietitians can be extremely helpful if you have CSID. Most registered dietitians have not worked with many individuals with CSID specifically, but they can advise you on basic nutritional requirements. Understanding your or your child’s nutritional needs is of vital importance. A registered dietitian can assist you in determining nutritional needs, learning how to read food nutrition labels, developing a diet plan, and learning how to maintain dietary compliance.

Registered dietitians work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, public health departments, and community health settings. Your gastroenterologist may have a registered dietitian on staff. If not, the gastroenterologist should be able to refer you to a local registered dietitian. Alternately, you can find a registered dietitian on the website of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, www.eatright.org/.

Often, your insurance covers the cost of a registered dietitian consultation, or your child could qualify for nutritional services through a state-sponsored program. It may be beneficial to perform an internet search for “healthcare for children with special needs” and add your state name to the search terms. For example, a Google search for “healthcare for children with special needs Michigan” yields many results. Also, some young children with CSID may qualify for medical nutritional therapy as part of their state’s early intervention services.