Nutrition Services for Your Child
The Nutrition Department at the National Institutes of Health offers a variety of services to your child. Registered Dietitians work with patients, their families, and the medical team to provide diet and nutrition advice. Nutrition counseling is given when a special or research diet is needed.
When your child is an inpatient, our dietetic technicians can help you and your child choose menus, between-meal snacks, and answer your questions about foods on the menu.A dietitian is available to:
- discuss your child’s diet, food allergies, or intolerance
- evaluate your child’s growth
- assess the need for special formulas or supplements
Inpatient food services
Daily menus.
You will find a menu on your child’s breakfast tray each morning. Please help your child select meals for the next day. After you have filled in your child’s menu, place it back on the meal tray, in the menu box on the unit, or give it to a Nutrition Department staff member.
Selective menus are planned based upon the diet the doctor ordered for your child. Special children’s menus are available.
Meal times. The Nutrition Department prepares and serves meals to your child’s bedside between the following hours:
- Breakfast: 7:30 — 8:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m.— 1:00 p.m.
- Dinner: 4:30 — 5:30 p.m.
If your child misses a meal. Sometimes, your child might miss a meal because of a test or procedure. If this happens, your child’s tray can be delayed, or a cold tray can be ordered.
Snacks. Many children like to have snacks between meals or before they go to bed. Snack foods are available on the unit, and special snacks just for your child can be ordered through your technician or on your menu. Snacks will be taken to your child at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 8 p.m.
Outpatient food services
If a child is required to stay on an outpatient unit during mealtime because of testing or a procedure, a meal will be served in the clinic.
The Clinical Center cafeteria also offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner for outpatients and their families.
Food for parents, caregivers, and visitors
Cafeterias are available where you can buy snacks, as well as breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Questions or concerns
If you would like to speak to a dietitian at any time during
your child’s inpatient or outpatient stay at NIH, please ask your
doctor or nurse for a "consult" with the dietitian.
If you have questions or concerns about your child’s diet before
you arrive at NIH, or if you need to plan for a special diet or
formula, please call 301-496-3311.
This information is prepared specifically for patients taking part in clinical research at the NIH Clinical Center at the National Institutes of Health. It may not apply to individuals who are patients elsewhere. If you have questions about the information presented here, talk to a member of your health care team.
