A tsunami of health and wellness information comes toward us every day, so it can be hard to know what to do to improve or maintain our health. The barrage of trends is frustrating. Eggs are bad, bread is bad, fat is bad, eggs are good again, drink celery juice. Keto, paleo, vegetarian…You may have tried several diets or health trends and even found success with some. The problem is most of these approaches are not effective in the long term and, when undertaken without proper guidance and education, may negatively impact your health. When it comes to nutrition and health, one size doesn’t even fit most.
A nutritionist can be the bridge between an overwhelming amount of information and understanding your very specific needs.
Reasons to see a nutritionist
- You’ve recently been diagnosed with a new medical condition, or you are hoping to prevent one that runs in your family
- You have a long-term health condition you are trying to support or improve
- Your numbers are creeping up (blood pressure, blood sugar, etc.)
- You have food sensitivities
- You experience GI symptoms you suspect are due to something you’re eating
- You have decreased energy or persistent fatigue
- You want to maintain health and vitality as you age
- You’ve been trying different diets for years with varying success
- You struggle with emotional eating
What conditions can a nutritionist help with?
- Autoimmune Conditions
- High Blood Sugar
- Diabetes (management/prevention)
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Cardiovascular Disease (management/prevention)
- Digestive Issues (IBD, IBS)
- Celiac Disease
- Mental Health (anxiety, depression)
- Osteoporosis/Osteopenia
- Reflux/GERD
- Women’s Health (Endometriosis, PCOS, Fertility)
- Migraine
- Fatigue
- Brain Fog
- Food Allergies
- Food Intolerances
What to expect from a nutrition consultation work one-on-one with clients to develop a plan for improving their health through food, movement, stress reduction, and sleep support. All four of these areas contribute significantly to your health.
When I first meet with a client, I assess the following things :
- The client’s goals
- Current diet
- Exercise
- Sleep quality
- Current or anticipated stress
- Any current or past health conditions
- Conditions that run in the family
- Current/Past relationship with food
This first meeting is also an opportunity to tell your personal health story and have your concerns listened to thoughtfully. You are encouraged to discuss what you have tried that you felt worked. What didn’t work. What your current challenges are, and what you would like to accomplish.
What services can you receive from a nutritionist?
- Medical nutrition therapy for specific health conditions (different conditions need different nutritional support)
- A detailed assessment of your typical diet with recommendations for how to fill in nutritional gaps in a way that is convenient for you and aligned with your readiness
- Education around which foods will provide you with the nutrients you need and ones that may be working against you
- Menus, recipes, and meal-planning support
- Discussion of short and long-term goals and help setting realistic expectations
- Keeping track over time of your progress and, if necessary, reformulating the plan to fit any changes you may encounter or if something isn’t working
- In between session accountability (if desired) and availability for questions
- Recommendations for supplementation if needed
- Blood work analysis to refine nutritional recommendations even further
- Mindful/Intuitive Eating guidance and recommendations
- Most importantly. A detailed plan and education that is designed just for you, your body, and your life.
What training does a nutritionist have?
Proper qualifications are essential, especially if you see a nutritionist for a specific medical condition. However, in many states, anyone can market themselves as a nutritionist regardless of education and training.
A licensed nutritionist will have the following:
- A master’s degree (nutrition science-based)
- 1,000 hours of clinical experience
- Have passed a board exam
- Have been awarded the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) and or Licensed Dietician Nutritionist (LDN) credential
If you think you could benefit from consulting a nutritionist, book a discovery call. It’s free, and it will help you determine what next steps might be right for you.