Knowing your food intake is a good way to monitor your health. Being aware of what food to eat and when to eat it will help you maintain a healthy body and peace of mind. A dietitian can help out with this through nutrition counseling. Your dietitian will assess your current diet and provide you with information and guidance to achieve a healthy diet fit for you.
However, some may be worried or afraid of seeing a dietitian. They choose not to go through the process because they don’t want another person dictating what they eat. This is not what nutrition counseling is! Nutrition counseling is a collaborative, judgment-free approach that helps you learn about your body’s needs and nutrition, as well as what to eat in order to thrive. Read on to find out how to get started and what happens during nutritional counseling.
Choosing Your Clinical Specialist
The first thing you need to do for nutrition counseling is to choose your clinical specialist or dietitian.
A dietitian is a licensed professional who provides nutrition counseling to clients. A dietitian’s role is to address special dietary needs according to their wellness goals. Dietitians have extensive knowledge on what kind of foods are beneficial for you according to your body’s characteristics, as well as your lifestyle and overall health.
Make sure you consult with a professional whose priority is to help you achieve overall wellness through a collaborative and respectful approach. Beware of those who might make costly and unnecessary recommendations.
Initial Assessment
Your chosen dietitian will ask you to fill out a questionnaire or go through tests to assess your current body and diet. During the first consultation, your nutritionist will try to gather as much information about your diet and health as possible. This is critical before beginning nutritional counseling.
Some dietitians ask their clients to follow the 24-hour recall method. In this exercise, the client writes down all of the foods and beverages they consume for an entire day. Then, they send the list to the dietitian to serve as a baseline.
Preparing Diet Recommendations
With substantial information about your current food intake, your dietitian can provide you with recommendations on which foods to eat or supplements to take. As part of nutritional counseling, your dietitian will also prepare meal plans to strategically provide all the nutrition you need.
Your dietitian may recommend that you follow a strict and balanced diet. Such foods may include:
- High-protein food
- Vegetables
- Whole grains
- Low sugar fruits
- Healthy oils, such as olive, coconut, and grapeseed
Simultaneously, staying away from nutrition-deficient junk foods, high sugar snacks, and highly caffeinated drinks is usually prescribed. Included in the list of foods your dietitian might want you to avoid are:
- White sugar
- Alcohol
- Fried and processed foods
- Artificial sweeteners
- Soda and juices
Your dietitian may also recommend that you eat foods rich in these vitamins and minerals:
- Vitamins B5, B6, and B12
- Vitamin C
- Magnesium
Apart from diet recommendations, timing is also something you will be taught in nutrition counseling. Scheduling meals can help regulate your blood sugar effectively, putting your bodily functions in a proper state and leading to a more balanced food intake.
Follow-Up Consultations
Follow-up consultations are part of your nutrition counseling. Your overall health progress will be tracked during these sessions for more comprehensive treatment and diet therapy.
The number of follow-up consultations you need usually depends on your condition and progress. You may only need to consult three to four times a year if you are healthy and can stick to the recommended diet easily. If your condition is serious or if you have difficulty following guidance, you may need sessions more often. Make sure to cooperate and coordinate with your chosen provider for optimal results.
Nutrition Counseling in Weatherford, TX
Knowing what nutrients your body needs to become healthier is a must if you want to thrive. Alphacare Wellness Center can help you better understand your body’s dietary needs. Our team, led by Dr. Catherine Oseni, can help you manage your nutritional needs. You can achieve optimal health with our client-centered approach and proven methods that will help you succeed.
If you want to know more about our services and how we can help you achieve the wellness you deserve, call us at (817) 550-6332, or you may schedule a consultation conveniently through our online form.
