Bride Guide: Hiring a Nutrition Professional
By Kayley George, RDN, LD
If you’re ready to take charge of your health before your big day, the first step is finding the right help. As soon as you’re engaged, you’re flooded with detoxes, supplements, and other quick-fix solutions. You’re also inundated with nutrition coaches, personal trainers, people-who-lost-weight-and-think-they-have-authority, and so on. In this article, we’re going to break down what a dietitian’s background is, who they might help, and how to pick the perfect dietitian for you.
Dietitian 101
A dietitian is, quite literally, an expert on nutrition and diet. You've probably heard the titles dietitian (RD) and nutritionist tossed around interchangeably, but those two words carry a lot more weight than you might expect.
A licensed RD/ RDN is regulated in their practices and the work they’re allowed to do. So, what about a certified nutritionist or health coach? You’ll be surprised to find out that the title and position of “nutritionist” aren’t regulated in most states, so nearly anyone can call themselves a nutritionist and charge you for their services – without any expertise. A nutritionist may have no formal training to work in the field of nutrition and the title requires no proof of qualifications, from a legal perspective.
A little unnerving, right? As a result, professionals who call themselves nutritionists are less protected under law and have little to no government regulation when it comes to their practices. With that lack of credentialing also sets limits on what services can be offered by a nutritionist/health coach. Dietitians are unique in the fact that they can provide medical nutrition therapy (MNT) and receive payment through insurance, unlike any other nutrition professionals.
It’s important to understand the difference in a dietitian’s training compared to another nutrition coach. If someone is a Registered Dietitian, they began their educational journey by receiving a bachelor’s degree in nutrition science (But we promise, it’s not BS!). They have completed a 1200+ hour dietetic internship that requires training in clinical, community, and foodservice operations. Last, they’ve passed a rigorous national credential exam, and most likely continued their education by receiving a Master’s degree (in just a few years it will be a requirement across the board).
Dietitian’s Role
Once you’ve decided that you want to work with a dietitian, here are a few areas where a dietitian could support you:
You’re looking for a sustainable lifestyle, not a quick fix diet: All dietitians, no matter their area of focus, have the goal to help each of their clients live a healthier and more active lifestyle. Many dietitians develop customized nutrition plans for each client to promote healthier eating habits. Dietitians not only create meal plans for their clients, but they also provide education and knowledge on how to make appropriate food choices in any situation.
You have an illness such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or inflammatory bowel disease: Your diet is one of the most important aspects of helping to keep illnesses manageable and under control. If you have a specific medical condition, a dietitian can work closely with you and your medical team to develop a diet that works within your medical restrictions. Most dietitians who work in the medical arena specialize in specific conditions to make them more knowledgeable and equipped.
You’re battling food intolerances, allergies, or sensitivities: Food intolerances or food sensitivities occur when someone has difficulty digesting a specific type of food, one of the most common examples being lactose intolerant. Food allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to certain food proteins (we call these IgE-mediated food allergies), one of the most well known being peanuts. Some of these intolerances, allergies, or sensitivities cause extreme dietary avoidances that make it difficult to eat a well-rounded diet. A dietitian can help to navigate these restrictions with an eating plan that covers all nutritional bases.
You putting higher nutritional demands on your body (i.e. sports performance, pregnancy, or breastfeeding): There are some phases of our life that demand more from our bodies. Your diet needs to keep up with the extra strain that you’re putting it through. For example, while popular opinion says that carb-loading before a marathon or stuffing yourself with protein after the gym will enhance performance, a dietitian is here to give you a better strategy. Likewise, if you’re no longer eating for just one, it’s important to take measures for your health and your future child’s health.
You’re looking to lose, gain, or maintain your weight: A common misconception is that dietitians are only around to help you lose weight. Wrong! You might be surprised to learn that there’s a good chunk of the population who struggle to gain weight. A dietitian will look at your current food patterns to determine the areas that need to adjust in order to reach your weight goals. It might not be at the speed you want, but dramatic weight loss or weight gain is not healthy in the long-term.
Dietitians work with individuals coming from different backgrounds with various habits, lifestyles, and health needs. At the core of it all, a dietitian can assess your needs, establish realistic nutrition goals, create a personalized game plan, hold you accountable (follow-up is key), and tweak your plan as you go along. While some dietitians work in a physical office or clinical setting, others operate virtually (like yours truly!). There’s a dietitian out there for everyone’s personal preference. If this is something that interests you, you’re in the right spot! Book a FREE nutrition consultation with me (a registered dietitian) so that I can help you on your journey to marriage.
3. Picking Your Perfect Dietitian
Every dietitian brings a unique flavor to their work. While all have the same foundational knowledge, everyone comes with different education, internship training, and career development.
Here’s the bottom: You shouldn’t be able to work with every dietitian. When narrowing down your search, here’s a few criteria to look for in a nutrition professional:
Credentials: We’ve already talked about the difference between a dietitian and nutritionist, but there are also a handful of certifications within the dietitian world. Some of the focuses include sports nutrition, geriatrics, and weight management.
Niche or Speciality: Outside of the official certifications, many dietitians find a niche of clientele that they are passionate about. Since the world of nutrition is constantly evolving, having a specialty allows the dietitian to be more involved with current research and trends in one specific field.
Packages or Programs: A typical model for dietitians to see clients is a one-hour counseling session with subsequent follow-up sessions. However, many dietitians are breaking away from the traditional model to offer more in-depth packages and service features.
Eating Approach: Just like most dietitians have a population that they prefer to work with, many will also have a certain “style” in how they approach eating. Some dietitians prefer intuitive eating practices, which focus on mindful eating and self-awareness, while others prefer more rigorous tracking methods.
Level of Accountability: Here’s the equation for success: Accountability + commitment = results. Think about the sheer number of food decisions that you make every day. It’s important to know what level of accountability and support your dietitian will provide outside of your formal sessions together.
Our Practice
Here at KGRD, we have a few specialties in our nutrition practice:
If you’re a younger (25-40) woman who is engaged and looking to lose weight + build a healthy lifestyle for the next chapter of your life, we’re the right fit for you
If you’re looking to work with a coach for an extended period of time (3-6 months) and have a high level of communication and accountability, we’re the right fit for you
If you like a whole-foods based approach that minimizes calorie/macro counting and emphasizes fresh, homemade, portion-controlled meals, we’re the right fit for you
If you want to talk about taking charge of your health, sign up for a FREE 10-minute strategy call today: https://bit.ly/3buhZsu
No matter where you’re starting from, we firmly believe that everyone can benefit from the professional expertise of a Registered Dietitian. Whether you are looking for counsel on navigating a tricky food allergy or just a fresh perspective on new recipes to try out, meeting with a dietitian will be well worth your investment. Health is wealth!
Published on Feb 7, 2020 at 11:59 am