Why You Should Meet with an RD

A Registered Dietitian (RD) is a healthcare provider who specializes in nutrition; how food affects your body and how your body reacts to food. Like some other medical specialties, it can be confusing to know whether or not you need an RD or could benefit from meeting with one. To help figure this out, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics put out an article, What a Registered Dietitian Can Do For You. Here is an excerpt to help you better understand whether or not an RD can help you:

The highest level of nutrition counseling. Anyone can call themself a nutritionist, but only a registered dietitian (RD) has completed multiple layers of education and training established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. In addition to holding a bachelor's degree, an RD must fulfill a specially designed, accredited nutrition curriculum, pass a rigorous registration exam, and complete an extensive supervised program of practice at a health care facility, foodservice organization or community agency.

Personally tailored advice. When you see an RD, 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 RD will help you set goals and prioritize. Follow-up visits will focus on maintenance and monitoring your progress.

Guidance navigating food allergies, sensitivities and intolerances. When you suffer from conditions such as celiac disease, food allergies or lactose intolerance, it's easy to be overwhelmed by what you think you can't eat. That can translate into a boring diet and may even lead to nutrient deficiencies. An RD can teach you how to read food labels so you’ll know which ingredients to avoid and a help you find substitutions to keep your diet balanced and tasty, too.

A weight loss program that really works. Fad diets may sound like the quick ticket to weight loss, but they rarely work for very long. A registered dietitian will partner with you to develop a safe, effective weight loss plan that you can stick with for the long haul. 

If you're convinced that now is the time for you to see an RD, contact me for an appointment today by e-mailing eatdrinkandbeactive@gmail.com or calling 617-431-8006.