What Questions Should I Ask My Nutritionist or Dietitian?

Updated by: Caitlin Beale

If you have an upcoming consultation with a registered dietitian, you may wonder what to expect.

This article will cover the ins and outs of your first appointment.

Learn which questions to ask to understand your dietitian’s nutrition philosophy and whether they will be a good match for you.

{{splash}}

The Role of a Nutritionist or Dietitian in Your Health Journey 

Registered dietitians have many roles across the healthcare spectrum.

Your doctor may refer you to a dietitian to help you manage a medical condition through diet and lifestyle changes, known as medical nutrition therapy. 

You might work with a dietitian during a hospital stay or on an outpatient basis.

Clinical dietitians can specialize in a wide range of areas, such as: 

• Diabetes.
• Eating disorders. 
• Renal (kidney conditions).
• Weight management. 
• Cardiac health. 
• Gastrointestinal (GI).
• Oncology (cancer).
• Pediatrics. 
• Sports nutrition.

In addition to medical nutrition therapy, a dietitian can help you optimize your diet so you feel your best.

For example, your dietitian may adjust the balance and timing of your meals to help you maintain energy throughout the day.

You can also encounter dietitians in the community–at your local grocery store, school, or through a corporate wellness program. 

15 Questions to Ask Your Nutritionist or Dietitian

Each dietitian will have a slightly different approach to addressing your health concerns.

Asking questions like the ones listed below can help you understand their nutrition philosophy during your first appointment. 

1. Are There Good and Bad Foods?

Many dietitians take an “all-foods-fit” approach to health, meaning that they don’t label foods as “good” or “bad” but focus on how to enjoy all foods in moderation while still meeting your nutritional needs. 

Understanding how your dietitian views balance and moderation can help determine whether they are a good fit. 

2. How Often Should I Eat Throughout the Day?

Some dietitians recommend eating smaller, more frequent meals, while others may advocate for intermittent fasting.

Your dietitian may also recommend a mindful, intuitive eating approach. 

Asking how often you should eat in a day, whether you need breakfast, or if it’s okay to have a bedtime snack can help you understand their approach. 

3. How Do I Control My Cravings?

Many people seek the help of a dietitian to learn how to manage food cravings and overeating.

Again, there are various approaches to this, depending on which dietitian you see.

A weight management dietitian may have different recommendations from an eating disorder dietitian. 

{{local}}

4. Should I Be Cutting Certain Foods Out of My Diet?

Most dietitians aim for minimal dietary restrictions, but some medical conditions necessitate limiting or eliminating certain foods.

For example, if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you may benefit from following a short-term elimination diet called the low FODMAP diet. 

Talk to your dietitian about how to approach food eliminations in a sustainable way. 

5. How Can I Prevent Future Chronic Illnesses?

Some dietitians work with people to help reduce the risk of developing a chronic illness like type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

If you have a family history of a disease or have borderline high blood sugar or cholesterol levels, you may want to work with a dietitian to optimize your food intake. 

While many factors contribute to chronic health concerns, healthy diet patterns are associated with a significantly lower risk.

Ask your dietitian how you can make positive changes to your diet to help lower the risk.

6. Should I Be Taking Any Dietary Supplements? 

There are so many different supplements that influencers and medical professionals suggest are necessary for optimal health.

A dietitian can help determine if supplements are necessary and which ones may be beneficial.

You can also ask your dietitian about brand recommendations and dosages.

They can also ensure that your supplements don’t interact with your medications or have a recommendation of who to talk to about possible interactions.

7. How Do I Read and Understand Food Labels?

Food labels can be confusing, so many people work with dietitians to help them make informed choices about food.

A dietitian can help you understand how to read and interpret food labels and provide recommendations for alternative options if needed.

8. What Are the Differences Between Good and Bad Fats?

Fats are an essential part of your diet, but some are more supportive of your health than others.

Dietitians can educate you on the different types of fat and how much you need of each.

Depending on your health history, genetics, and medications, a dietitian can also help you individualize fat recommendations specifically to your health goals and needs.

9. Should I Be Tracking My Calories? 

Some dietitians specializing in weight loss may have you track your daily calories to help you become mindful of your food intake and see where you can make positive changes. 

Others may focus on intuitive eating or a non-diet approach where tracking calories is not a part of the philosophy. 

Both approaches can have their benefits, and you and your dietitian can help determine what’s best for you.

10. How Much Water Should I Be Drinking Daily?

Hydration is a big piece of nutrition, as daily water intake can influence digestion and metabolic health. 

Some people may need more water if they live in a hot and humid climate or exercise often. Others may need to limit based on health issues.

Ask your dietitian how much water your body needs for your specific health goals.

11. Can You Help Me With a Shopping List of Nutritious Foods? 

Your dietitian is there to make your life easier, so it's a great idea to ask them for help making nutritious grocery store choices.

They can help you create a shopping list of nutrient-dense and delicious foods to keep your fridge stocked with foods that align with your health goals.

Dietitians can also help tailor your list based on dietary restrictions or help you develop ideas if you are temporarily following an elimination diet to ensure you meet all your nutrient needs.

12. Are There Specific Foods That Can Boost My Energy? 

If you’re feeling low energy, a dietitian can examine your daily meal patterns to see if there’s room for improvement.

For example, your dietitian may determine that you aren’t eating sufficient calories to provide enough energy throughout the day.

They may also suggest specific meal timing to help balance calories throughout the day for sustained energy. 

13. Can I Drink Alcohol While Following A Healthy Diet? 

Different dietitians can have varying opinions on alcohol.

Depending on your health goals or needs, some may recommend you completely abstain from alcohol, while others may follow an approach of moderation that allows for some alcohol.

If alcohol is a part of your daily intake, it’s a good idea to ask if it’s okay to include, and if so, how much. 

14. What Are The Key Nutrients I Might Be Lacking? 

If you are concerned your diet is missing certain nutrients, your dietitian can assess your current eating habits and recommend specific food or supplements to fill in the gaps.

Digestive health dietitians may also look at issues with nutrient absorption during flare-ups and suggest temporary nutrient replacement.

Other dietitians may work to help you maximize nutrients from the food you eat. 

15. How Can I Track My Progress? 

Tracking progress is a key part of meeting health goals so you can see how far you’ve come, but the process can look different depending on the dietitian you work with. 

For example, an eating disorder dietitian will help track success differently than a dietitian working in kidney disease.

Your goals and health history will dictate the best way to track your success.

Ask your dietitian how they track progress to make sure it aligns with your goals.

Questions to Assess Qualifications and Personal Fit

You can ask several questions to help assess your dietitian's qualifications and whether or not they'd be a good fit for you.

Some providers offer a discovery call, where you can ask these questions before scheduling your first appointment.

Other times, you can find this information on their website. 

1. What is Your Educational Background and Experience in Nutrition and Dietetics? 

First, make sure your provider has the necessary qualifications.

Look for the registered dietitian (RD) or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) credential to ensure they have completed the proper education and training to provide medical nutrition therapy. 

2. Do You Have Any Specialized Certifications or Areas of Expertise? 

It’s important to ensure your dietitian’s specialty area aligns with your reason for seeking care.

For example, if you are seeking help with eating disorder treatment, you want to work with a dietitian with training and experience in that area. 

3. How Do You Approach Weight Loss/Management With Clients?

If you desire weight loss, it can be helpful to understand your dietitian's strategy to determine if it aligns with what you’re looking for.

Some dietitians take a weight-neutral approach to health, meaning they do not encourage restrictive dieting and instead focus on other health outcomes when setting goals. 

Other dietitians follow the weight normative approach, which involves calorie and exercise goals to create a calorie deficit for weight loss. 

{{splash}}

4. Can You Provide Personalized Meal Plans or Recommendations for My Needs and Preferences? 

You may seek an appointment with a dietitian because you are looking to receive a personalized meal plan.

While every dietitian will provide individualized recommendations for the types of meals and snacks that would be best for you, many feel that structured meal plans aren’t a sustainable way to change eating habits. 

5. How Do You Address Emotional Eating or Other Food-Related issues? 

Research shows many factors can cause emotional eating, including restrictive dieting, difficulty regulating emotions, and low awareness of hunger and fullness cues. 

If you struggle with emotional eating, it can be helpful to seek a non-diet dietitian who can provide you with strategies to regulate your eating by utilizing emotional regulation and implementing mindful eating approaches.

6. What Types of Support Do You Offer for Maintaining Long-Term Healthy Habits?

When you invest your time and energy into working with a dietitian, you want to ensure you build habits you can sustain over time.

Some providers offer support between visits, such as checking in by message via an electronic portal.

Other nutrition offices host support groups and classes. 

{{splash}}

7. How Often Would I Need to Schedule Appointments With You?

The frequency of your visits will depend on a few factors, including your reason for the appointment, your personal preference, and your dietitian’s availability.

While some people need to meet weekly, others might do well with monthly or quarterly meetings. 

Talk to your dietitian to ensure they can accommodate your needs in their schedule. 

What to Expect at Your First Appointment 

Here’s an overview of what you can expect for your first visit with an outpatient registered dietitian.

Pre-Appointment

Your dietitian may ask you to complete some paperwork in advance or once you arrive at the office.

This information will help them gain a greater understanding of your primary concerns and desired health goals.

Intake

Your dietitian will start by asking you questions about your primary reason for the visit, medical history, food preferences, and any nutrition-related concerns you have. 

Next, you'll be asked to recall usual daily dietary habits, physical activity, sleep habits, stress levels, and digestive concerns.

Nutrition Education

After the intake portion of the appointment, your dietitian will provide nutrition education based on the reason for your visit.

For example, if your primary concern is diabetes, you’ll receive information on healthy, balanced meals to help manage blood sugar levels.

Make sure to ask all your questions so you have a good understanding of how to implement this information.  

Goal Setting

Lastly, you and your dietitian will collaborate to identify areas for improvement and establish weekly goals.

After the visit, you can schedule a follow-up appointment to check your progress and continue building on the initial plan. 

Practical Tips for Making the Most of Your Appointments

There are a few things to consider to maximize your appointment time with your dietitian.

Keeping a written food log for a few days leading up to your first visit may help you remember typical meals and snacks. 

Before each visit, write down any questions or concerns you want to discuss.

Show this list to your dietitian at the start of the appointment so they can address everything. 

Lastly, know that your dietitian doesn’t expect progress to be made on a week-to-week basis.

Understanding which parts of the plan didn’t work for your preferences or lifestyle can help your provider adjust it to be more effective for you.

{{splash}}

Takeaway

A dietitian can help you in various settings: in the hospital, an outpatient clinic, or even in your community. 

If you have a consultation with an outpatient dietitian to address a health concern, you can expect them to ask questions about your diet and lifestyle habits.

You will then receive nutrition education and a personalized plan with specific goals to address those concerns. 

Before or at your first visit, talk to your dietitian about their background and specialty areas.

Learn how they approach specific scenarios, like weight management or emotional eating. 

How a Dietitian Can Help

A dietitian can empower you to meet your health goals by providing evidence-based information and helping you follow a sustainable eating plan. 

Find a dietitian near you through Nourish and learn how to improve your health and well-being through dietary changes.