What to ask a nutritionist?
AmieAP
Posts: 46 Member
Hello,
I am going to a free one hour session with a personal trainer/nutritionist tonight and I don't quite know what I need to know. I don't know what to ask or what I should be doing and eating. It's exciting but I'm afraid I will burn up my hour with the wrong questions.
Thanks,
Amie
I am going to a free one hour session with a personal trainer/nutritionist tonight and I don't quite know what I need to know. I don't know what to ask or what I should be doing and eating. It's exciting but I'm afraid I will burn up my hour with the wrong questions.
Thanks,
Amie
0
Replies
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Question 1: Where did you get your certifications from and what credentials do you hold?0
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She got her stuff from UofA (Alberta)0
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Why aren't you a Dietitian? What are you going to try and sell me?0
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Have you been keeping a diary of your food intake and exercise? Always start from where you are.0
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Her info online says UofA, specializing in nutrition. I don't know what that means. I do log food and exercise.0
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I don't care where she got her credentials from. I just don't want to waste my hour asking dumb questions. What would you guys ask about nutrition and health?0
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I don't care where she got her credentials from. I just don't want to waste my hour asking dumb questions. What would you guys ask about nutrition and health?
You should
A "nutritionist" isn't a recognized credential with any sort of standardized qualifications whatsoever. It could be that they took some kooky online quiz, and printed out a certificate saying they're now a "nutritionist".
At least here in the US, the credential you want to look for is "Registered Dietician". Since you said U of Alberta, I assume you're in Canada, and don't know what the equivalent credential is up north, but surely they have one.
It's also pretty common that many trainers know jack squat about nutrition issues, hence the additional care I'd give in verifying her credentials. Many get 'certified' by some MLM company and will try to hock overpriced crap on their clients.
In fairness, it's quite possible she knows her stuff, and will be very good too. But I'd verify before taking any advice or asking anything further.0 -
I would prepare information on yourself, with your stats and personal goals. And then ask her what calorie intake she would recommend for you, what ratio of macronutrients (fat, protein, carbs) she would recommend, and maybe what are some good staples to include in your diet. You could also ask her to help you construct some sample hypothetical meals to get a good understanding of how to construct a good meal and portion sizes. That's what I would ask.0
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To benefit from your meeting, bring in your diary of food and exercise for the past two days. That will give the both of you something to work with.0
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ceoverturf wrote: »I don't care where she got her credentials from. I just don't want to waste my hour asking dumb questions. What would you guys ask about nutrition and health?
You should
A "nutritionist" isn't a recognized credential with any sort of standardized qualifications whatsoever. It could be that they took some kooky online quiz, and printed out a certificate saying they're now a "nutritionist".
At least here in the US, the credential you want to look for is "Registered Dietician". Since you said U of Alberta, I assume you're in Canada, and don't know what the equivalent credential is up north, but surely they have one.
It's also pretty common that many trainers know jack squat about nutrition issues, hence the additional care I'd give in verifying her credentials. Many get 'certified' by some MLM company and will try to hock overpriced crap on their clients.
In fairness, it's quite possible she knows her stuff, and will be very good too. But I'd verify before taking any advice or asking anything further.
Thank you. I will do that. You are right, I don't want to take bad advice. That's no better than no advice at all.0 -
I would prepare information on yourself, with your stats and personal goals. And then ask her what calorie intake she would recommend for you, what ratio of macronutrients (fat, protein, carbs) she would recommend, and maybe what are some good staples to include in your diet. You could also ask her to help you construct some sample hypothetical meals to get a good understanding of how to construct a good meal and portion sizes. That's what I would ask.
Thank you. I will do that as well.0 -
This is a red flag to me if she's claiming a degree from UofA. Still go to her session, by all means, and see what she has to say; she might have a reasonable knowledge base, even her credentials are a bit shaky. Just be cautious if she tries to set you up with more sessions.
I second taking your diary there. It will save a lot of time if she can see what you've already been doing. If she ignores it and automatically tries to set you up with a new product/plan, then there's another sign.0 -
it just said she studied at UofA, whatever that means.
I will not pay for more sessions because Im cheap - I mean frugal, im frugal.
that's for the tips. if she tries selling us. ill close up shop.0 -
Fellow frugal Edmontonian, I take it.
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Ask her what part of the body monosaturated and polysaturated fats keep from shutting down. Answer gallbladder. also what burns first second and last? Carbs protein or fat? Answer in that order. If she doesn't know these answers find someone qualified.0
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isulo_kura wrote: »Why aren't you a Dietitian? What are you going to try and sell me?
@isulo_kura
In Alberta, Canada, Registered Nutritionist is the same as a Dietician.0 -
Just a guess...but I'm assuming if she were a registered dietitian/nutritionist then it would say that specifically. My sister is a registered dietitian and from what I've been told and witnessed, they make a point to emphasize the "registered dietitian" part to separate themselves from the "nutritionist/nutrition coach" crowd.0
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Talk to her about your challenges. Whatever issues you have that make it difficult to stay on plan!0
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mistib1229 wrote: »Just a guess...but I'm assuming if she were a registered dietitian/nutritionist then it would say that specifically. My sister is a registered dietitian and from what I've been told and witnessed, they make a point to emphasize the "registered dietitian" part to separate themselves from the "nutritionist/nutrition coach" crowd.
She may have. People in their field will make those distinctions but most people will just refer to them as dieticians or nutritionists. Many people are not aware of the distinction. No one in this thread used the term "registered dietician".
Also, the person specificed she is in a University level program specializing in nutrition. Their "nutrition" program is a dietetics program.0 -
I don't care where she got her credentials from. I just don't want to waste my hour asking dumb questions. What would you guys ask about nutrition and health?
You should care about the credentialing of a person offering health-related advice. It's a key question for any first-appointment with a health care professional.0 -
I was wondering what Alix was famous for...
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ceoverturf wrote: »Question 1: Where did you get your certifications from and what credentials do you hold?
Damn, you beat me to it!0 -
Besides your diary, list any medical conditions you may have (bloodwork type stuff as well), and medications that you may be taking (if any). Talk about where you are at (difficulties in your food choices, cravings, etc.), and where you want to get to (your ultimate goal in weight loss).
This would be the same thing I would bring to a physician if he specialized in weight loss. Since it is nutrition based, I would still think it is important for them to see a big picture of where you want to go and where you want to avoid. Good luck!0 -
ceoverturf wrote: »I don't care where she got her credentials from. I just don't want to waste my hour asking dumb questions. What would you guys ask about nutrition and health?
You should
A "nutritionist" isn't a recognized credential with any sort of standardized qualifications whatsoever. It could be that they took some kooky online quiz, and printed out a certificate saying they're now a "nutritionist".
At least here in the US, the credential you want to look for is "Registered Dietician". Since you said U of Alberta, I assume you're in Canada, and don't know what the equivalent credential is up north, but surely they have one.
It's also pretty common that many trainers know jack squat about nutrition issues, hence the additional care I'd give in verifying her credentials. Many get 'certified' by some MLM company and will try to hock overpriced crap on their clients.
In fairness, it's quite possible she knows her stuff, and will be very good too. But I'd verify before taking any advice or asking anything further.
Nutritionist is a recognised professional in the UK:
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/find-a-registered-dietitian-or-nutritionist.aspx?CategoryID=51&SubCategoryID=168
But agree with checking credentials.0 -
My dietitian checks thyroid, blood sugar, cholesterol, vitamin D, B-vitamin, and iron. You could ask your family doctor to run a panel of tests and share that with your fitness instructor/nutritionist.0
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@AmieAP Did you go? How was it? I'm just curious. Sometimes you learn something new; sometimes it's same-old, same-old0
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The most important things I learned from mine was which foods were good for providing lots of nutrients with few calories, while still tasting good. Sometimes they will bring up things you just haven't thought of. Especially nutrients you tend to be low on, like maybe iron or vitamin D.0
This discussion has been closed.
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