Dietary Program – Nutrition
Some research studies show that our food choices can affect our mental wellness and how we respond to stress and everyday life. The connection is also clear between good nutrition and good physical health.
That’s why nutrition is part of our commitment to delivering the very best treatment for our residents. We’re one of the few residential treatment facilities with a fulltime registered dietitian on staff. Paula Livernois, R.D., oversees every aspect of our dietary program, making sure the food we serve meets the individual dietary needs of each resident. She also provides nutrition education for residents to help them achieve and maintain good health.
Highlights of BRC’s dietary program include:
- Meals and Snacks: Our cafeteria serves three meals and two snacks a day. Menus rotate on a monthly basis, with a new meal each week. Our registered dietitian screens all snacks and can provide caution alerts for kids with food allergies. The Center’s cafeteria organization ensures that residents with special diets or food allergies receive the food they need without feeling self-conscious or excluded.
- Special Diets: From gluten-free to low-calorie, our dietary team can customize a meal plan based on each resident’s specific needs. Children who are overweight can benefit from our Healthy Lifestyle program. We closely monitor a child’s BMI throughout treatment, and by changing the diet can often promote weight loss. Kids who are not getting adequate nutrition receive additional portions as needed to meet daily calorie goals, and we can provide nutritional supplements. We can also customize meals according to the resident's medication regimen.
- Nutrition Education: By encouraging residents to “think like a chemist,” we teach them about food science and how to combine healthy foods for a diet rich in vitamins and minerals. We also teach healthy portion sizes.
- Peer Groups: We offer group sessions for residents who want to meet and discuss their feelings about their bodies and self-image. Our registered dietitian talks about proper nutrition and how to shop for the right foods. We nurture residents’ self-esteem so they can feel comfortable in their bodies and know they are making the right choices when it comes to exercise and eating a balanced diet.
- Special Events: Residents celebrate special events, such as birthdays and holidays, with others in the cafeteria. Our kitchen staff can also prepare cupcakes to celebrate the day a resident is discharged from treatment.
- Military Connection: As part of our military-connected culture, several members of our dietary team are military veterans with a combined 80 years’ experience of preparing meals for large groups.
We use every aspect of the dining experience to help kids grow and develop during their time with us. Gathering around a table for a meal with dorm mates helps residents learn social skills and table manners. Residents who have earned the privilege to work on campus can be assigned to help out in the cafeteria by cleaning tables. All residents learn the importance of sanitation and cleaning up after themselves.