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NutritionNutrition Services

Sarasota Memorial’s Registered Dietitians use the most up-to-date, evidenced-based research to provide effective medical nutrition therapy to patients who require nutrition support and education during their hospital visit or at home. 

At any point during a hospital stay, patients may request a consult with a dietitian for nutrition assessments, education, tube feeding and parenteral nutrition recommendations. Nutrition intervention has been proven to promote healing, improve outcomes and decrease length of stay.

In-room Patient Dining

SMH-Sarasota patients have a number of fresh meal options to choose from, making it easy to find meals that suit their personal tastes and diets. Posted on the bedside in each room, patients will find a restaurant-style menu developed by the hospital's executive chef. For patients with special dietary needs, these menus also will include diet-specific menu inserts (heart-healthy, pediatrics, plant-based, etc.).

SMH Sarasota Room ServiceRoom Service — Patients who can order meals without assistance (Mother-Baby, Pediatrics, Orthopedics, etc.) may call in orders for Room Service. These patients can choose fresh, made-to-order meals from the bedside menu anytime from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. by selecting “option 1” on their in-room phone. Breakfast options are available all day. Offsite family members also can place meal orders for hospitalized loved ones from outside the hospital by calling 941-262-3663.

Fresh to You Service — Our Fresh to You meal service is designed for patients on higher-acuity units who may need assistance ordering meals. Nutrition attendants will take patients’ meal orders, ensuring the choices meet dietary requirements. These patients may choose from daily specials or one of the options on the bedside menu.

In-room Dining for Patient Guests — Patient visitors may order their own meal tray for $8.99. The guest meal tray will be delivered along with the patient’s meal, so that the guest doesn’t have to leave the bedside. To order an in-room guest meal, call 941-262-3663.

Outpatient Nutrition Counseling

If your goal is to lose weight, address a health concern or simply live well, our Registered and Licensed Dietitians also provide outpatient counseling for people with health-related concerns, including obesity, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorders, high cholesterol, polycystic ovary syndrome and more. We also offer nutrition coaching for sports training, pregnancy, weight loss and overall wellness. Outpatient services include:

  • Individual nutrition and lifestyle plans
  • Computerized nutrition analysis
  • Review of lab work
  • Recipe and kitchen makeovers
  • Weight-loss strategies
  • Tips for healthy cooking, dining and travel

Outpatient nutrition counseling is provided on a fee-for-service basis.  First sessions typically last an hour and include an assessment of food/supplements, lifestyle behaviors, medical issues and activity level, followed by a customized plan to meet your individual goals. Visits may be covered by some insurance companies. If not, a 50 percent discount per visit applies.

Call our Outpatient Nutrition Counseling Program at 941-917-7468 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Download our Nutritious and Delicious Recipe Book or browse our list of healthy recipes. You can also watch our Nutrition Series of videos below or select from the playlist on youtube.