10 Common Reasons to Consult an RDN
You Want Healthy Nutrition & Lifestyle Advice
Need help sorting through the “food noise” and fear-tactic nutrition headlines? Learn how to sort through the noise, read food labels, eat healthy with a budget in mind, dine out healthfully, reduce stress eating, manage cravings, and more.
You Realize the Need to Feed Your Family Healthier Foods but You Do Not Cook
A registered dietitian nutritionist can teach you how to plan and prepare meals in a simple, healthful and convenient way.
You Are Thinking of Taking Medication for Weight Loss or Are Taking Weight Loss Medication Already
Since weight loss medications can have an impact on your appetite, satiety, and overall intake, getting the nutrients your body needs may be tricky. As a part of your healthcare team, an RDN helps you make changes to your eating plan to meet these needs.
You Want Help Managing Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Cholesterol or Other Chronic Diseases
An RDN can help you understand your condition and how the foods you choose might affect it. Plus, a registered dietitian nutritionist works with you to create an eating plan that has the nutrients needed to manage your condition.
You Have Digestive Issues
Working closely with you and your doctor, a registered dietitian nutritionist provides guidance to help fine-tune your diet. Together, you’ll find choices that do not aggravate your condition. For example, limiting fried foods, spicy foods, or caffeinated and carbonated drinks.
You Have a Food Allergy, Intolerance or Sensitivity
Unsure what you can eat because of celiac disease, food allergies, lactose intolerance or another condition? It’s easy to be overwhelmed by what you think you can’t eat, which can lead to a limited diet that doesn’t give your body the nutrition it needs. An RDN can teach you strategies including identifying foods to avoid and help you find substitutions to keep your diet balanced and satisfying.
You Want to Improve Your Performance in Exercise or Sport
An RDN can help you set goals and fuel your body to achieve results — whether you’re participating in competitive sports, running a marathon, strength training 2-3x/week, or golfing 18 holes.
You’re Pregnant, Trying to Get Pregnant, or Are a New Parent
Meet with an RDN to make sure you get the nutrients you and your partner need for a healthy pregnancy. And, after the baby comes, a registered dietitian nutritionist can help make sure you and your little one are getting the nutrients you need to support optimal health and development.
You or Your Child Is Experiencing Disordered Eating
As part of the treatment team, RDNs counsel people with eating disorders such as overemphasizing food and weight, following a rigid inadequate eating pattern, overly restraining intake of certain foods, or the inability to eat when hungry or stop when full.
You’re Caring for an Aging Family Member
An RDN can help with food or drug interactions, proper hydration, special diets for hypertension and changing taste buds as you or someone you love ages.
When you see an RDN, the last thing you’ll get is one-size-fits-all diet advice. After learning about your health history, favorite foods, eating and exercise habits, an RDN will help you set goals and priorities. Follow-up visits will focus on continuing education and monitoring your progress. Ask your medical provider for a referral to see a registered dietitian nutritionist, or find an RDN near you!
Source: Stephen Wickes, RDN, CDN; Sarah Klemm, RDN, CD, LD; www.eatright.pro