Food and Eating

Food is a big part of our lives. Eating a variety of foods can help your body get the nutrients it needs. Food also brings people together and is a way to enjoy time with family and friends.

There are many reasons why people eat the way they do. Your choices might depend on:

  • What you like or dislike
  • How much money you have to spend
  • Your health needs
  • Your culture or traditions
  • Your family and friends

Where can I learn more about food and eating?

Nutrition services by Registered Dietitians

Registered Dietitians are available for free in the community to help support you with food and eating related concerns. A listing of Registered Dietitian services can be found below. You can also reach out to Health811 (previously Telehealth Ontario) to speak to Registered Dietitian by dialing 811 or calling 1-877-797-0007.

Nutrition services in Oxford County

Alexandra Hospital – Ingersoll

Address: 29 Noxon St., Ingersoll
Phone: 519-485-9611
Website: alexandrahospital.on.ca

Services:
• Nutrition counselling (individual support, 18+, referral required)
• Diabetes education (Type 1, Type 2, gestational diabetes, prediabetes)
• Prediabetes group classes available

Referrals: Self-referrals welcome for diabetes education.

Health811

Phone: Call 811 (TTY: 711)
Website: health811.ontario.ca

Services: Free nutrition counselling with a Registered Dietitian by phone or chat.

Eligibility: Ontario residents.

Hours: Mon/Wed/Fri 9am–5pm; Tues/Thurs 9am–9pm.

Oxford County Community Health Centre (OCCHC) – Woodstock

Address: 301–35 Metcalf St., Woodstock
Phone: 519-539-1111 ext. 208
Website: oxchc.ca

Services:
• Nutrition counselling (all ages)
• Cooking classes and group programs

Eligibility: Oxford County residents without access to a Registered Dietitian through primary care or insurance.

Cost: Free. Self-referrals welcome.

Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC) – Muncey

Address: 77 Anishinaabeg Dr., Muncey
Phone: 519-289-0352
Website: soahac.on.ca

Services:
• Nutrition counselling (all ages, individual and group)
• Diabetes education (Type 2, prediabetes, or at risk)

Eligibility: Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, Inuit) individuals and families in London and surrounding First Nation communities. You do not need to be a patient.

STAR Family Health Team – Tavistock

Address: 80 Maria St., Tavistock
Phone: 519-655-2322
Website: starfht.ca

Services:
• Nutrition counselling (for patients)
• Group programs (Feeding Your Baby program open to the public)

Referrals: Self-referrals welcome.

Thames Valley Family Health Team – Woodstock

Address: 959 Dundas St., Suite 204, Woodstock
Phone: 519-537-6701
Website: thamesvalleyfht.ca

Services:
• Nutrition counselling (for patients)
• Online public programs: Heart Health, Sweet Talk: Managing Your Blood Sugars, Best Weight, and Intuitive Eating

Program Registration: Register online

Tillsonburg Hospital (Satellite of Alexandra Hospital)

Address: 167 Rolph St., Tillsonburg
Phone: 519-485-9611

Services: Diabetes education (Type 1, Type 2, gestational diabetes, prediabetes)

Eligibility: 18+ years. Self-referrals welcome.

Unlock Food (Online Resource)

Website: unlockfood.ca

Expert nutrition information developed by Registered Dietitians. Includes recipes, videos, and interactive healthy eating tools.

Woodstock Hospital – Ambulatory Care Services

Address: 310 Juliana Dr., Woodstock
Phone: 519-421-4233 ext. 2126
Website: woodstockhospital.ca

Services:
• Nutrition counselling (18+)
• Healthy Heart group class
• Diabetes education (Type 1, Type 2, gestational diabetes, prediabetes)
• Online Binge Eating Disorder program

Referrals: Self-referrals welcome. Serves Oxford County.

Nutrition services in St. Thomas & Elgin County

Central Community Health Centre (CCHC) – St. Thomas

Address: 359 Talbot St., St. Thomas
Phone: 519-633-7989 ext. 409
Email: eailles@centralchc.com
Website: centralchc.com

Services:
• Nutrition counselling (individual support)
• Group classes may be available (call for details)

Eligibility: Any age. You do not need to be registered with CCHC.

Service Area: Southwold, St. Thomas, Central Elgin.

Closing the Gap Healthcare Group – St. Thomas

Address: 10 Mondamin St., Unit 116, St. Thomas
Phone: 519-631-9866
Website: closingthegap.ca

Services: In-home nutrition counselling.

Eligibility: Referral required through Ontario Health at Home.

Service Area: St. Thomas and Elgin County.

East Elgin Family Health Team – Aylmer

Address: 424 Talbot St. W., Suite 1, Aylmer
Phone: 519-773-3715 ext. 136
Website: eefht.ca

Services:
• Nutrition counselling (for clinic patients)
• Public group programs: Group Lifestyle Balance; Managing Your Blood Sugars (in person or virtual)

Eligibility: Any age for counselling (must be a clinic patient). Group programs open to the public.

Service Area: Elgin County and St. Thomas.

Health811

Phone: Call 811 (TTY: 711)
Website: health811.ontario.ca

Services: Free nutrition counselling with Registered Dietitians by phone or chat.

Eligibility: Ontario residents.

Hours: Mon/Wed/Fri 9am–5pm; Tues/Thurs 9am–9pm.

Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC) – Muncey

Address: 77 Anishinaabeg Dr., Muncey
Phone: 519-289-0352
Website: soahac.on.ca

Services:
• Nutrition counselling (all ages; individual and group)
• Diabetes education (Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, or at risk; group classes available)

Eligibility: Diabetes education is for individuals 18+. You do not need to be a patient.

Service Area: Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, Inuit) individuals and families in London and surrounding First Nation communities.

St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital (STEGH)

Address: 189 Elm St., St. Thomas
Phone: 519-631-2020 ext. 2408
Website: stegh.on.ca

Services:
• Diabetes education (individual support)
• Supports Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes (A1c above 10.0% or above 8.0% if using insulin), and gestational diabetes
• Pump therapy counselling

Eligibility: 18+ years. Referral required from a doctor.

Service Area: St. Thomas and Elgin County.

Thames Valley Family Health Team – St. Thomas Sites

Locations:
• Elmwood Family Health Centre – 417 Wellington St., St. Thomas
• Windermere Family Medical Centre – 460 Wellington St., St. Thomas
Phone: 519-631-5670 ext. 2251 (Reception ext. 2285)
Program Registration: Register online

Services:
• Nutrition counselling (for patients)
• Public group programs: Heart Health, Sweet Talk, Best Weight, Intuitive Eating

Service Area: St. Thomas and Elgin County.

West Elgin Community Health Centre (WECHC)

Main Site: 153 Main St., West Lorne
Phone: 519-768-1715
Website: wechc.on.ca

Services:
• Nutrition counselling (infants to seniors)
• Group programs (see website for current programs)

Eligibility: Any age. Self-referrals welcome. Services are free.

Service Area: No catchment restrictions.

West Elgin Community Health Centre – Diabetes Education Program

Locations:
• West Lorne – 153 Main St. (ext. 2301)
• Dutton Medical Centre – 156 Main St., Dutton (ext. 2301)
• Aylmer Diabetes Education Program – 424 Talbot St. W., Unit L9, Aylmer
Phone: 519-765-4797
Website: Diabetes Program Information

Services:
• Diabetes education and nutrition support
• Group classes available
• Supports Type 1, Type 2, gestational diabetes, prediabetes, or those at risk

Eligibility: 18+ years. Open to anyone.

Service Area: No catchment restrictions.

Unlock Food (Online Resource)

Website: unlockfood.ca

Trusted nutrition information created by Registered Dietitians. Includes recipes, videos, and interactive healthy eating tools.

Contact Us

Southwestern Public Health (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday)

St. Thomas Site
(Administrative office)
1230 Talbot Street
St. Thomas, ON N5P 1G9

Woodstock Site
410 Buller Street
Woodstock, ON N4S 4N2

Call us toll free: 1-800-922-0096
Email us

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