Nutritionists ask people about their eating patterns and other aspects of their lives and then advise them on how they can modify their diet to achieve better health, or make improvements to help treat a medical condition. Consulting a nutritionist can be very helpful to anyone with dietary concerns. The nutritionist may be a medical doctor with training in nutrition, a PhD who specializes in nutrition, or a registered dietitian. Credentials are important, because many states have no training or certification requirements for nutritionists, and anyone can hang up a shingle and charge for advice. A nutritionist will ask you about your objectives (for example, to treat a particular complaint such as hear disease or to lose weight), your health, and your current diet. He/she will discuss your lifestyle, eating patterns, any allergies you may have, and any restrictions that you have placed on your diet – if you are a committed vegetarian, for example. He/she may also ask you about any digestive problems and about your likes and dislikes concerning food. If the aim is to lose or gain weight, the nutritionist may record your weight, percentage of body fat, and measurements (chest, waist, and hips). You will probably be asked to keep a food diary for a few days after your first session. |
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