NUTRITION SERVICES
WITHIN OUR OFFICE OF HEALTH EDUCATION & PROMOTION, WE HAVE A REGISTERED DIETITIAN (R.D.) AVAILABLE TO DISCUSS A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, EATING WELL ON- AND OFF-CAMPUS, DISORDERED EATING AND CONCERNS WITH EATING, WEIGHT MANAGEMENT, MANAGING MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND VEGETARIAN AND OTHER SPECIALTY DIETS.
Appointments are carried out one-on-one to allow your unique lifestyle to be fully appreciated. A variety of resources are used to meet your needs. Nutrition consultations are confidential.
Am I eligible to see the Dietitian? How do I make an appointment?
Nutrition consultations are available to all full-time Pitt students, as well as part-time students who have paid the Wellness Fee. Appointments are available by calling our front desk at (412) 383-1800. This service is presently conducted virtually and, in person at the Wellness Center in Nordenberg Hall.
First-time visits are scheduled for 40 minutes. Please check-in early to complete a brief questionnaire and consent prior to your appointment. Follow-up visits are scheduled for 20 minutes.
Please make every effort to be on time. Virtual appointments require check-in prior to the scheduled appointment time. Whether virtual or in-person, if you are late, you will be unable to check-in for the appointment and will need to reschedule.
Can the Registered Dietitian conduct group programming?
Programs for groups such as residence halls, clubs and sororities/fraternities can be planned by submitting a Program Request Form or by contacting the Dietitian.
I want to change my eating habits or lose weight. How do I start?
That’s entirely dependent upon who you are as an individual. Each of us is unique; our needs are true to no one but ourselves. Take some time to shake the “one-size-fits-all” way of looking at eating and dieting. By taking into account your wholeness as a person who eats, moves, feels, sleeps, and socializes, you can identify and implement your optimal eating style. There’s a tremendous amount of information out there; however, much of it can be misleading or inappropriate. Consulting with a Registered Dietitian will provide you with personalized and relevant guidance.
But I don’t think I’m eating right. What is normal eating?
Again, it’s dependent on you. Perhaps the answer to this question can best be summarized in the quote below:
“Normal eating is going to the table hungry and eating until you are satisfied. It’s being able to choose food you like, eat it, and truly get enough of it. Normal eating is being able to give some thought to your food selection so you get nutritious food, but not being so wary and restrictive that you miss out on enjoyable food. Normal eating is giving yourself permission to eat sometimes because you’re happy, sad, or bored, or just because it feels good. Normal eating is three meals a day—or four or five; or it can be choosing to munch along the way. It’s leaving some cookies on the plate because you know you can have some again tomorrow; or, it’s eating more now because they taste so wonderful. Normal eating is overeating at times, feeling stuffed and uncomfortable. And it can be under-eating at times, and wishing you had more. Normal eating is trusting your body to make up for your mistakes in eating. Normal eating takes up some time and attention, but keeps its place as only one important area of your life.” — Ellen Satter
In short, normal eating is flexible. It varies in response to your hunger, your schedule, your proximity to food and your feelings.