Appointment with a nutritionist

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  • illecl
    illecl Posts: 30 Member
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    I've been seeing a nutritionist for 15 minutes a week for about 8 months. It's about the same price as a popular commercial diet plan, and I get one-on-one counseling. I've learned so much from her about balancing my diet. (no, she doesn't advocate eating back your exercise calories). She says if you're absolutely starving, eat a few ounces more protein. I'm older, so my one-pound-a-week losses are a success. I thought I knew everything about weight loss after dieting most of my adult life, but it's worth every cent.
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
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    I am seriously considering seeing a nurritionist myself. I need to call my insurance to make sure that is covered. Best of luck to you!!!

    When you call the insurance, ask "does a Nutritionist fall under a PCP copay, or a Specialist copay?"
    " Do nutrition visits apply towards my deductible?"
    "If my plan is an HMO, does my PCP need to still do a referral even if the nutritionist is in the same office?" - TRUST ME, I have run into this error that insurance companies pull..... if its in the same office, you DONT need a referral for HMO (or ANY plans).

    And - most importantly.... get the name of the rep you talk with, and ask for a call reference number (if they have them).. otherwise note the name, date and time you called.. Share that information with your office....
  • geetabean
    geetabean Posts: 76
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    Keep in mind if your nutritionist is skinny fat or fat...dont follow their suggestions.

    These are the nutritionists/dieticians that work at the office I will be going to. None of them appear fat.....skinny fat is a little harder to detect from internet pictures, but I'll be on the look out. HA.

    http://www.healthydietsinc.com/about-healthy-diets-inc.html
  • geetabean
    geetabean Posts: 76
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    I have a personal trainer who I see once a week and asked her about nutrition, but she was not too helpful.
    Does anyone know the types of foods I should/should not be eating before and after exercise?
    I cant afford a dietitian unfortunately. Thanks.

    I have a personal trainer at the gym too. He is very knowledgeable when it comes to exercise, but knows very little when it comes to nutrition and diet. I don't really ask him advice on diet anyway though.....its not his specialty. I would be afraid to follow any diet he told me to.
  • geetabean
    geetabean Posts: 76
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    I love having to check in with someone - keeps me on track. While waiting for the appt. you might keep a food log (don't cheat - be honest in it) so they can see where you are at, what you like, etc. Will help them give you a plan that will work for YOU. Good job!!!

    I've been logging daily here at MFP and I plan to bring at least a weeks worth of diaries with me to my appointment. And I don't ever cheat with what I log....what's the point? I'm just cheating myself! :o)
  • geetabean
    geetabean Posts: 76
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    Be sure he/she is a Registered Dietitian-- that way you can be sure of his/her qualifications.

    All of the ladies that work in the office I will be going to are registered dietitians.

    http://www.healthydietsinc.com/about-healthy-diets-inc.html
  • TKHappy
    TKHappy Posts: 659 Member
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    I've always found nutrition interesting since a very young age...wanted to become a nutritionist/personal trainer and open my own office where I could do meal plans and a gym right there for one on one time with clients....unfortunatly my life got in the way and I'm doing bookeeping :)

    My husband has diabetes and is always asking me what he should do, of course when I tell him he doesn't listen....sooo we set up a appointment for him with a certified nutrionist and I laughed when my husband finally told the guy "my wife has been telling me the same things this whole time!"

    I definitely think everyone should have a nutrition consult!! :)
  • HealthyNFit4Life
    HealthyNFit4Life Posts: 185 Member
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    I think it is important to go to a registered dietician (different than a nutritionist), especially if you have medical issues, such as diabetes. I'm not minimizing nutritionists by any means, I'm sure there are very knowledgable ones. However, nutritionists don't have as much education and qualifications as registered dieticians. Also, nutritionists usually help with people who want to manage their weight, while dieticians do that, but also help people with certain medication conditions (they can do much more on a macro level, but this is with one to one counseling).
  • Lula16
    Lula16 Posts: 628 Member
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    after reading this thread, i made an appointment for myself to see a registered dietician. I have read so many articles and books and MFP, but it gets alittle overwhelming at times
  • downhomechik
    downhomechik Posts: 47
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    Are these services covered by your health insurance or is this an out-of-pocket expense?

    Mine was covered under health insurance
  • downhomechik
    downhomechik Posts: 47
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    Keep in mind if your nutritionist is skinny fat or fat...dont follow their suggestions.

    LOL...however, some people are do as I say not as I do kinda people.... :laugh:
  • casbar911
    casbar911 Posts: 61 Member
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    I went to a RD and I am soooo happy I did!!! I wasn't making any progress and she noticed right away that there was an issue based on my food and exercise logs and my metobolicrate... and guess what she was right - I went for blood work and found out I have hashimoto's - a thyroid condition- so off to an endocrinologist I went - and I am now on meds but I FEEL SOO MUCH BETTER!! and the weight is slowly coming off- It will always be a struggle but at least now i know I wasn't losing my mind!!

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