Dietitian

terrie_k

I'm looking into seeing a dietitian. Any suggestions on what I should look for? I have some health coverage so I would like to use that which doesn't get me too far. I am finding a lot just seem to evaluate your diet and give a meal plan, should I expect more than this?

terrie_k

I should mention I am lifting heavy, trying to lose some fat. I haven't had issues with strength gain eating at a deficit but my inches aren't melting like I would like them too. I feel there is some muscke there but it is under a stubborn layer or fat. In summer I am very active playing 10 or more games of softball almost weekly.

shaumom

In my experience, it can be helpful to ask a few questions when talking to a dietician to see if you want to use them .

First, find out their opinion about some common diets out there. What do they think of, say, gluten free diets, low fat diets, low carb diets...a few things like that. Because dietitians are people too, and you'll find that some will have biases. Like those that think a gluten free diet is terrible for everyone, or those who think it's necessary for everyone, for example. So you want to see if you can find one who may give you some good advice, with as little bias as you can get.

Second, find out if they specialize in anything - like, are they very familiar with allergen free diets, diets to lower cholesterol or for weight lifting, etc... That'll be helpful for what you are looking for.

And last, I'd ask exactly what they will give you.

I had to have some medical restrictions on my diet, and have seen a few dietitians. One had a basic: here's what you have to avoid, here's some things that you can eat, here's a few sample menus, have a nice life.

My best one gave me the basics, information on how some of my nutrients affected me and what I needed to be on the lookout for due to my specific diet, plus some good places to get supplements I might need on my particular diet, plus the stores in the area that carried brands I could use AND what those brands were. When we realized one of my allergies made some foods very hard to find, she actually called around to stores and found places i could shop better. She was amazing, but does not seem typical.

terrie_k

Thank you. I never thought about asking their opinion on different diets. Very helpful

singingflutelady

Make sure they are a registered dietitian and not a nutritionist