What To Expect When Seeing A Dietitian

A registered dietitian is a regulated health professional who works in the field of nutrition. They must complete years of schooling and pass a national licensing exam to call themselves dietitians - just like nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists, and other health care providers. 

If you have nutrition questions and want to know how to improve your relationship with food and better manage your health, you may want to see a dietitian. If you’ve never met one before, you’ll want to keep reading to learn the basics of what you can expect when seeing a dietitian. 

Nourish provides virtual nutrition counseling to people all over the United States, and most appointments are covered by insurance. You can book an appointment with a dietitian by completing our easy sign-up form. 

Seeing a Dietitian for the First Time

Some people may feel nervous before meeting with a dietitian for the first time. You may have heard of dietitians being referred to as the food police, or that they only follow the dietary guidelines to make health recommendations. 

In actuality, a dietitian stays up to date by completing professional development courses, seeking extra credentials, and frequently reviewing scientific literature in the field of nutrition and health. They work very hard to help you feel heard and supported on your health journey. 

At Nourish, every dietitian promotes an inclusive approach to eating because they want to help you build a sustainable diet that prioritizes your health and includes all your favorite foods. 

Benefits of Working with a Dietitian

A benefit of working with a dietitian is creating a highly individualized care plan that caters to your needs. Together, you can create a list of actionable steps to help you move closer to your health goals.

Below are ways you can benefit from the services of a dietitian. 

Satisfy Your Nutritional Requirements

A dietitian may help you get enough calories and nutrition to feel energized and promote healing within the body, or they may suggest dietary modifications to ease symptoms and improve quality of life.

Managing Chronic Conditions 

Managing a chronic illness can feel simpler with the help of a registered dietitian. As your health changes, your nutrition requirements may change too, and staying on top of your needs is important for your long-term health. 

Improving Your Relationship With Food 

The mental dialogue that you associate with food is just as important as the nutrients in your diet. You may also benefit from meeting with a dietitian if you have any negative thoughts about body image and food, emotional eating, or restricted behaviors. 

Questions to Prepare in Advance

Writing down questions ahead of your appointment will ensure you have time to address them during your appointment. The types of questions will vary depending on your personal nutrition goals, but here are a few examples of common nutritional questions you may ask: 

Gut Health Concerns

• Is there something in my diet that is making me bloated? 
• Are there any supplements that can help my irritable bowel syndrome? 
• Which foods are low FODMAP, and how does it help with IBS? 

Blood Sugar Concerns 

• How do I manage my blood sugar while pregnant?
• Is intermittent fasting good for diabetes?
• I’ve just been diagnosed with prediabetes: what do I eat?

Eating Disorder/Disordered Eating Concerns 

• How do I stop eating when I’m not hungry anymore? 
• How can I improve my relationship with food and eating? 
• Do yo-yo diets work? 

General Health Questions 

• Is micronutrient testing worth it? 
• Why can’t I stop eating sugar - is it bad for me? 
• Will I gain weight after one day of overeating? 

These are just a few examples of questions you can ask your dietitian. If you’re ready to start receiving personalized nutrition advice, consider booking a virtual appointment with a registered dietitian through Nourish. 

Your First Appointment

Feeling a bit nervous when you experience new things is normal, but your first dietitian appointment should be worry-free. Your dietitian will want to know the primary reasons you have booked an appointment, relevant details in your medical history, diet-related issues or concerns, and if you have any food allergies or take medications. 

Your first appointment should be rich in conversation as you both get to know each other and slowly develop a healthcare plan. If you feel shy or nervous - you can tell your dietitian! They can take steps to ensure you feel comfortable and at ease. 

Follow-up Appointments

The follow-up schedule can look different for every dietitian depending on availability and the urgency of your nutritional needs. For example, someone preparing for an upcoming surgery will likely need to be seen sooner than someone trying to lower cholesterol levels. 

Most follow-up appointments are 60 minutes, and these sessions are vital for checking in on the progress of your goals. It is the perfect opportunity to discuss what is going well and what isn’t working in your nutrition plan. This way, you can both review alternative options that might be more feasible while still moving toward your ultimate goal. 

Making the Most of Working with a Dietitian

Your time with the dietitian is precious because you see them once or twice a month, and you’ll want to make the most of your time together. Remember to write down any urgent questions and ask them at the start of the session, this will ensure you have time to address them. 

Some dietitians offer a follow-up email with notes and a list of weekly goals discussed during the session. If you think this could be helpful, ask your dietitian to send a weekly follow-up email. This can eliminate the need to take notes during the session, which can distract some people. 

Tips on Finding the Right Dietitian

Anytime you invite a new healthcare provider into your life, you want to ensure it will be the right fit. At Nourish, we strive to find just the right fit. Sometimes there’s an instant connection, and other times you may have to try a few people before you find the right one. 

To help you find the right fit as early as possible,talk with your dietitian about your nutrition goals. Be honest about your expectations and provide as much context as you can. You can share details that are relevant to your nutrition, such as: 

• The types of foods you like to eat, including cultural components that are important to you.  
• Your comfort level cooking in the kitchen. 
• Any budget restrictions that affect your grocery shopping. 
• Allergies or dietary restrictions. 

You will know when you have found the right dietitian if you feel motivated between sessions, safe, comfortable, and supported. 

Takeaway

If you want to work with a dietitian but aren’t sure where to find one, Nourish can help. Our online nutrition counseling company can connect you with a specialized dietitian. If you’re to take the next step in your health, consider booking an appointment.