What Does a Dietician Do?

The variety of information (and misinformation) from the media and advice from well-meaning friends can make healthy eating a challenge. Many people are unsure how to lose weight, lower their cholesterol, or improve their health. As everyone is different, there is no standard solution when it comes to diet, which is why working with a dietician can be so beneficial. Before you can decide whether seeking the services of a dietician is the right option for you, however, you need to know: what does a dietician do?

What Does a Dietician Do?

Registered Dieticians are experts in food nutrition. They are highly qualified to counsel and support clients who are looking to make changes to their diet, whether to become healthier or to reduce the risk of nutrition-related conditions such as obesity and high cholesterol. In other words, dieticians use the science of nutrition to address everyday problems. Their main goal is to educate clients to make the best food choices and take care of their health in the long term.

An initial meeting with a dietician lasts around 45 minutes to 1 hour, time spent mainly talking about your current health situation and what changes you are looking to make. The dietician will ask you questions about everything from your health history and lifestyle to your favorite foods. Together, you will use this information to set targets, and subsequent visits will be used to record your process and refine your eating plan.

What Does a Dietician Do, and How Can One Help You?

One of the most common reasons to consult with a dietician is for safe and effective weight loss. Dieticians never promote fad diets — they use science and patients’ health history to form a plan that will continue working into the foreseeable future. Dieticians often combine a variety of creative ideas to improve your chances of success including strategies for grocery shopping, meal plans, food journaling, and mindful eating.

Dieticians can be particularly beneficial to those suffering from chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. It is often difficult for patients to know what they should be eating. Your dietician will work with your doctor to create an eating plan that contains the right balance of nutrients to manage your condition.

Another circumstance when visiting a dietician may be very useful is if you require a restrictive diet due to food allergies, celiac disease, or lactose intolerance. For many people in this situation, it can be a struggle to find enough options to stay healthy or even to enjoy eating. A dietician will not only help you with meal ideas but also ensure that you understand your condition and know how to read food labels to avoid certain ingredients.

If you think a dietician could help you with your diet and health needs, call us at Chiro-Med Rehab Centre to request a consult.