Central Texas Veterans Health Care System
Nutrition and Food Service - Inpatient Medical Nutrition Therapy
Our goal is to provide high quality meals and nutritional care to Veterans who are inpatients at the Temple or Waco facilities.
About the Food Service
Nutrition and food service offers a nutritionally complete menu. Although you cannot choose your meals, there are ways to adjust your food items to fit your tastes. A nutrition clerk or a registered dietitian will visit with you about your food likes and dislikes. At any time during your stay, you may ask to speak to a dietitian to discuss any nutritional issues. registered dietitians will also provide medical nutrition therapy including nutrition assessment, nutrition intervention, individualized nutrition education, and developing a nutritional care plan as needed for your care. Dietetic interns work periodically with the nutrition staff as a part of their graduate program at Texas A&M University.
Providing nutritious appetizing meals is a goal of CTVHCS Nutrition and Food Service employees. Every three months an inpatient survey is conducted to see how well we are meeting the needs of our patients. If asked to complete a survey, please take the time to complete it as your response is needed to provide us with information to improve our services to you.
Temple
Waco
Admission Diet: When first admitted to the hospital, a diet is ordered by your doctor. You may receive an "admission diet" for your first few meals until the order gets processed in the computer. An admission diet does not have any desserts or salty foods. This diet provides you with a healthy meal until your diet order is processed.
Modified diets: While you are in the hospital, your doctor may order a modified diet for you. This is part of your treatment and is done to meet your nutritional needs. Some examples of modified diets are low cholesterol, low salt, diabetic and calorie controlled.
Snacks and supplements: if you have special nutritional needs, the doctor or dietitian may order between-meal snacks or liquid supplements for you. Other food items can also be added to your meal trays to help meet your needs.
Late Trays: Sometimes you may not be in your room to eat during regular meal times due to tests. When this happens, unit staff can order a late meal for you. You will receive either a hot meal tray or a cold bagged meal depending on the time the meal is ordered to arrive.
If you have concerns or problems with your meals, please ask to speak to the dietitian for your unit. We want you to be healthy and happy! The dietitian can be contacted by a consult from the physician, by phone and/or pager system. Your nurse and unit clerk can assist the you to contact the dietitian.
Nutrition and Food Service Home Page
Nutrition and Food Service Outpatient Program and Nutrition Information
