Thanks to Kevin Kelly for explaining his profession to the 
list and the important roles that clinical dieticians play 
in managing patients special diets. The important
thing patients have to know is to *ask* for a dietary 
consult from the physician. If the patient (especially a 
child) is normal weight, then the doctor will probably
not suggest a consult with a dietician.  

 I have consulted with pediatric clinical dieticians for my 
son in managing his restricted diet andI've been generally 
pleased with the information received, though 
I can say the dieticians weren't nearly as comprehensive as 
I had hoped in offering lists of food alternatives and 
substitutions or recommendations for books or support 
materials on food allergy.  Since I experienced this at 
two pediatric hospitals, I do wonder if this is
something the Dietician profession as a whole needs to take 
expand their knowledge and information base.  But I was able 
to have an assessment done of my child's daily intake to 
make sure he was getting enough calories and enough balance 
in his diet despite his dietary restrictions.  And I was 
able to get information on what kind
of supplements my child needed due to his dietary 
restrictions.

Lynda