Dietary advice now a phone call away

Guidance in healthy eating is as close as a phone call for First Nations residents in Saskatchewan — particularly helpful for those in rural and remote areas of the province.

Danielle Switzer, the lead dietitian with Eat Well Saskatchewan, is part of a pilot project to connect directly with First Nations people from all over the province.

“This is for First Nations members living on reserves and their health-care providers, but you don’t have to be living in a First Nations community to call,” she said.

Switzer can answer questions about a variety of dietary issues including nutrition, food safety and budget-friendly meals.

She noted callers might be newly diagnosed with a condition, such as diabetes or heart disease, and may want to call while they’re waiting for an appointment with other health-care providers.

“People might have questions about feeding their baby, like breastfeeding or introducing solids, and sometimes we have kids who are picky eaters,” Switzer said.

If she can’t answer a question, she’ll refer a client to other services.

All calls are free and confidential.

The call centre was set up in response to First Nations communities requesting more access to dietitian services, especially in isolated, rural and remote areas.

A dietitian for more than eight years, Switzer has dealt solely with First Nations clients.

The pilot project is funded by the First Nations and Inuit health branch of the Department of Indigenous Services Canada in collaboration with the Dietitians of Canada.

Clients can call 1-833-782-7800 Monday to Friday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. or leave a message outside of those hours. Another option is to email questions to info@ eawellsask.ca.