[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you put on a few extra pounds during Thanksgiving – or simply have struggled with your weight all year -- nutrition counseling might be the perfect gift to give yourself this holiday season.
Nutrition counseling usually involves working with a registered dietitian nutritionist who provides education on all aspects of food, nutrition and health.
The goal is to help patients achieve their desired -- or even doctor-recommended -- health goals through better eating, says Nancy Farrell Allen, a registered dietitian nutritionist and founder of
Farrell Allen Dietitian Services in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
“I am using medicine and nutrition science -- along with behavioral therapy -- to help my patients understand food as it relates to their symptoms,” Farrell Allen says.
How nutrition counseling works
During nutrition counseling, an RDN will meet with you regularly to both help clarify eating-related goals and to craft a plan to reach those targets.
“These sessions are usually 50 minutes in length, but can be up to two hours,” says Farrell Allen, who also serves as a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Unlike crash dieting, the focus in nutrition counseling is on implementing changes in
eating habits that will promote health and last a lifetime.
For example, during counseling, you and the RDN might zero in on bad habits -- such as
late-night snacking, or a tendency to cook too many fried foods -- and try to replace them with more healthful eating patterns.
As the sessions roll on, patients have the opportunity to “learn the facts and
ask questions” about eating more healthfully. A rapport typically develops between the dietitian and the patient as both parties dig more deeply into the roots of the patient’s food-related issues.
“It becomes a safe place to share emotions, thoughts, prior learned beliefs and rituals associated with food and eating,” Farrell Allen says.
Although some people can change eating habits on their own, many others benefit from the structure of nutrition counseling.
“Behavior change takes time, and having an RDN by your side helps with accountability,” Farrell Allen says.
Who can benefit from nutrition counseling?
People from many walks of life can benefit from nutrition counseling, Farrell Allen says. Good candidates for nutrition counseling include:
- Women with pregnancy needs
- Families facing infant feeding challenges, or parents with a child who is picky eater
- People with eating disorders and disordered eating
- Patients with health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, thyroid disease and fatty liver
- Athletes interested in sports nutrition
- Seniors who want to eat better so they can age more healthfully
“Everyone eats, so RDNs are trained to address all stages of life and the various aspects, diseases and concerns that arise through the years,” Farrell Allen says.
How to find nutrition counseling services
If you are interested in nutrition counseling, Farrell Allen suggests visiting the homepage of the
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website and selecting the orange tab “Find a Nutrition Expert” on the upper right of the screen. She also recommends using the “in-person” option and typing in your ZIP code, even if you prefer virtual counseling.
“Most of us are already doing
telehealth, and it narrows your search,” Farrell Allen says.
You also should look for someone whose specialties meet your needs. Read the testimonials of other patients to learn more about potential practitioners and how they provide services.
After meeting with a dietitian, pay close attention to how things develop. "You want to feel good in the session," Farrell Allen says. Ask yourself questions such as:
- Does the provider listen?
- Does the provider “lean-in” and seem empathetic?
- Does the provider provide education and strategies for success?
- Does the provider seem organized or rushed?
- Do you walk away feeling anxious or motivated for change?
If the relationship doesn't feel like a good fit, don't hesitate to express your concerns to the RDN:
"I always tell my patients that I want them to be in a place that is good for them," Farrell Allen says. "No hard feelings if they want to search elsewhere."
Finally, Farrell Allen urges you to remember that a registered dietitian nutritionist differs from a nutritionist or health coach. An RDN has:
- Earned a master’s degree (required starting in 2024)
- Completed an internship program
- Passed a board-certified exam
- Is nationally registered
- Must keep up with continuing education credits to keep current on the field
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