If you’re considering using a dietitian consultant to help you with your weight loss goals, you may be wondering if they can really help. The truth is that people who have used dietitians have often found them to be extremely helpful. If you’re looking for more information on the topic, here’s what you need to know about it.
You want to be an active dietitian consultation in your health.
If you’re like most people, you want to be a proactive participant in your own health. You know that the only person who can really ensure that your body is functioning optimally is you. That’s why we make sure that everyone who uses our services has a free dietitian consultation with one of our nutritionists first.
The reason for this initial meeting is twofold: first, it allows us to determine if the client has any medical conditions or allergies which would make certain foods off-limits; second, it gives us an opportunity to discuss their goals and concerns regarding nutrition so we can tailor a plan accordingly. By having this conversation early in the process, both parties know exactly what they’re getting into and neither party feels blindsided by any surprises later down the line (like finding out after three months’ worth of meetings that there are actually some foods which don’t agree with them).
For every question answered in the affirmative, place a check mark next to it.
For every question answered in the affirmative, place a check mark next to it. If you answered yes to most of these questions, you may be ready for your first session with a free dietitian consultant. If you answered no to most of these questions, there are resources available that can help guide you through preparation for seeking help from a professional like me.
If your answers were all “no” this does not necessarily mean that you will never receive help from an RDN; however, it does suggest that further preparation and consideration is needed before beginning treatment with one.
Are my family and/or friends supportive of my plan to lose weight?
Here are some things to consider when thinking about how supportive your friends and family are:
- If you’re not getting any help from them, try talking about your plan for losing weight with the people closest to you.
- What do they say? Do they encourage or discourage you?
- If it’s discouraging, ask yourself why. Is it because they don’t want to see you go through the hard work that losing weight will take? Or is it because they don’t trust that losing weight is possible for someone like you (i.e., someone who has tried many times in the past without success)?
If their comments have been discouraging or if they’ve never even brought up weight loss with any degree of seriousness it may be time to find new friends!
Am I sticking to the calorie range recommended by the free dietitian consultation?
It’s important to note that calories are not the only factor that affects your weight loss. In fact, the number of calories you eat isn’t even your most important one! When it comes to losing weight, other factors like feeling full and getting enough fiber, protein and other nutrients are much more important than the numbers on a calorie chart.
If you’re eating enough fiber in addition to your recommended daily amount of calories (which may be higher or lower than what you’re currently eating), then you’re likely doing very well. Remember that fiber helps keep us full longer so we don’t have room for extra calories from junk food. Also remember that if we don’t get enough protein in our diets (especially after exercise), then we won’t build muscle mass which helps burn fat faster!
Am I eating three balanced meals each day that include carbs, protein and fat?
If you are eating too much or too little carbs, protein or fat in your meals, you may need to adjust the amount that you eat. For example: if you are having trouble losing weight and feel hungry after eating, then consider adding more healthy fats to each meal (such as almonds). Or if you are gaining weight but don’t feel hungry after meals, try reducing the amount of healthy carbohydrates in each meal by cutting out things like white rice and pasta.
Am I eating enough high-fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains?
- You need to eat enough high-fiber foods:
- Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are all high in fiber. They are also packed with nutrients that help you feel full and satisfied for longer periods of time.
- Fiber increases the bulk of food in your stomach giving it more room to expand when you eat, which makes you feel full faster, longer.
- Fiber helps keep blood sugar levels steady by slowing down the absorption of sugar into your bloodstream when you eat starchy carbohydrates like potatoes or pasta. This can help control blood glucose levels and prevent spikes in energy followed by crashes (also known as “the hungry roller coaster”).
- High-fiber foods are low in calories: Most people don’t realize this but most fruits and vegetables have fewer calories than meat!
Most people can benefit from meeting with a dietitian.
Most people can benefit from meeting with a dietitian. A dietitian can help you:
- Answer your questions about nutrition and weight management.
- Get the right information to make good decisions.
- Learn how to implement changes that may help you lose weight and keep it off if that is your goal.
- Be more successful in losing weight and keeping it off than following other plans or doing it on your own, because most people need some support when making big changes in their lives.
Conclusion
If you answered yes to most of these questions, then meeting with a dietitian is a good idea. They can help make sure that you’re on the right track and that your plan is effective. It’s also important to remember that everyone has different needs when it comes to weight loss or health in general, so it may take time before you find what works best for your situation.