Opinions on Nutritionists

Candibar520
Candibar520 Posts: 29 Member
edited November 20 in Health and Weight Loss
What are your opinions on seeing a nutritionist vs. doing it on your own? Besides insurance and out of pocket cost of course.
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Replies

  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    I've consulted with a dietitian several times. Make sure you hit it off and have a similar outlook. I made it very clear that I am very conservative when it comes to my health. I don't stray very far from the Canada Food Guide.

    When there is a good foundation of trust it can be great. I treated it like any other professional consultation.
  • cmtigger
    cmtigger Posts: 1,450 Member
    Just like the others have said- if you see someone, see a registered dietitian.

    If I had the money I'd like to talk to one, I have medical issues that make my diet complicated.
  • HarlemNY17
    HarlemNY17 Posts: 135 Member
    How about seeing your doctor first before you spend your money
  • lgill1127
    lgill1127 Posts: 47 Member
    I've been seeing an RD since April 2016. The first 3 months we checked in every couple weeks, and now we have a monthly check in. I've lost 56 lbs since then. I like her approach - definitely more along the lines of intuitive eating and SLOW SLOW SLOW weight loss. She never makes me feel bad when I admit I trip up and always encourages me, especially pointing out my progress each visit (I've never gained!) and how far I've come. Thankfully, RD visits in-network are covered by my insurance, or I probably would have stopped after the first year. I like having the accountability of checking in, and hearing her perspective and ideas for meals/snacks/ exercise as my goals evolve.
  • CattOfTheGarage
    CattOfTheGarage Posts: 2,745 Member
    In case the others haven't made it clear enough, "nutritionist" is not a real profession. I could call myself one if I wanted, without doing anything or gaining any qualification. Steer clear of people calling themselves "nutritionists". The qualified professionals are called registered dietitians (or dieticians - that's just a Transatlantic spelling difference).

    I saw a dietitian once and found it helpful.
  • Djproulx
    Djproulx Posts: 3,084 Member
    I have managed my own weight loss efforts successfully for several years. Recently, as I tried to get leaner to support my performance goals, I was not having the success I wanted. So this past spring, I decided to get help from a registered dietician.

    My goal was to get help in balancing weight loss while meeting the energy requirements of a heavy training schedule leading up to an endurance race in June. The RD created a plan to tailor my calorie intake during high volume training days where my calorie burn often exceeded 1500/day. His eating plan also factored in my need to consume liquid fuels (as directed by my coach) to provide me with sustained energy during the 3-4 hour training sessions.

    I was very happy with my results. If you are considering using an RD, my suggestion is to talk to several RDs to find a person who understands your goals and can provide a specific plan to help you meet those goals.


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  • DX2JX2
    DX2JX2 Posts: 1,921 Member
    Yes - if you're going to see somebody, see somebody who actually had to fulfill some sort of standard established by an independent accrediting body. Anybody can become a nutritionist.

    RE: their value. It's totally up to you. If you are thinking about doing something to limit your diet choices but have no idea what proper nutrition should look like under those limitations (e.g., vegetarian or even just a large calorie deficit) or if you find that you have issues with certain food types but can't figure out how to work with those issues in your daily diet then it might not be the worst idea to see a RD. Otherwise, it's not absolutely necessary.

    Of course, if you are pre-diabetic or something like that, then absolutely see a doctor and and RD.
  • acorsaut89
    acorsaut89 Posts: 1,147 Member
    edited August 2017
    I would recommend a Registered Dietitian over a nutritionist, from my experience. Where I live they are regulated by the province so they need certain educational and professional requirements.

    Outside of that, though, it depends on what you want and if you see value in it. Also it depends on their approach. The RD I've been working with for 2+ years doesn't always focus on food. For example, I've dealt (privately - oh so privately) with a binge eating disorder for many years. I have worked with her for over 2 years and I just told her about a month ago that this is why my progress is hindered. I knew the whole time, did I tell her? No.

    So she has me working with a counsellor who specializes in eating disorders to help me get through and deal with the emotional reasons this is happening. She knows food - she's sooooo good at what she does and I love her for how she handles tough situations but she also knows people who struggle with weight loss it's often not just about the food. We know what we shouldn't eat, we know we should portion but there's sometimes emotional issues we also need to deal with.

    In my case, it's binge eating brought on by depression I don't want to deal with so I eat to feel some kinda normal. Is it working? No. I know it's not . . . I know I've been struggling. Until I want to fix the problem there's nothing anyone can do.

    My point is - if you find someone whose approach/coaching style fits with what you want then it's a great investment. If you aren't going to work with what they say or try the approaches or what have you, it's a waste of money and time, on both sides. Also as some others have said, even if you see a professional much of the work is on your own. They're going to coach you, give you advice and make suggestions based on lifestyle or exercising or what have you but they aren't going to walk around saying "Susan, don't eat that" or "Carol, you know you need to portion that properly". All the "work" will be done by you . . . so are you doing this for guidance, or for hand holding?
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    I saw a RD about 4 months after I was diagnosed with T2Dm and began eating better and losing weight (no insurance so I couldn't see one right away). Basically, she told me I already had all the knowledge I needed (I opened up my MFP diary and 90 day reports for her to look at). She gave me some ideas for more variety in my protein snacks and essentially confirmed that what I was doing was right. It was not a waste because the confirmation was good to hear. Continuing to see her would have been a waste.

  • clayelliott847
    clayelliott847 Posts: 125 Member
    Where I live near Tampa, FL, USA. Publix grocery stores has dieticians on staff. It is $150 for 8 sessions plus 2 HGBA1C blood tests for diabetics. The 150 is worth just the blood tests.
  • Ironandwine69
    Ironandwine69 Posts: 2,432 Member
    I don't have any experience with it, but I think it would make sense in two cases:
    1. You have terrible eating habits.
    2. You have a medical condition.
  • CattOfTheGarage
    CattOfTheGarage Posts: 2,745 Member
    When I saw a dietitian, I didn't even know I was obese. I was referred by my midwife in early pregnancy. The dietitian explained a lot of the basics, corrected some of my misconceptions and gave me some invaluable tips that I still use (eg use a smaller plate, keep a food diary). I think I'm fine flying solo now, but it gave me a good start.
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    I work with RD's to tailor my nutrition to optimal for endurance athletics - but I know on their clientele they have folks who are everything from Olympic lifters to sedentary with T2D - so I think it can work for everyone, if you can afford it (or if its covered by insurance)
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    I think it depends on how much you currently know about nutrition and your goals.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    Lounmoun wrote: »
    If you do not have a medical condition I think it is a waste of money to pay someone to tell you what to eat. It isn't that hard to use something like MFP and log your food. Stick to your calorie goal. See that you get the suggested amount of protein, fats, fiber. Eat a variety of vegetables and fruits. Try whole grains. Not that complicated and it is free.

    If you do have a medical condition that needs a special diet then a registered dietician could be helpful.

    Some people just do not know where to start. They grew up or fell into poor diets and really have no inkling as to what constitutes balanced. An RD is a good place to get started with an understanding in basic nutrition. I agree that using a database and food diary like MFP is extremely helpful but for those with no nutrition understanding they need to start with the basics and THEN the logging will help.
  • acorsaut89
    acorsaut89 Posts: 1,147 Member
    Lounmoun wrote: »
    If you do not have a medical condition I think it is a waste of money to pay someone to tell you what to eat. It isn't that hard to use something like MFP and log your food. Stick to your calorie goal. See that you get the suggested amount of protein, fats, fiber. Eat a variety of vegetables and fruits. Try whole grains. Not that complicated and it is free.

    If you do have a medical condition that needs a special diet then a registered dietician could be helpful.

    But if you don't have the food knowledge then it's a great place to start. If you need help, guidance, or coaching to achieve your goals then it can be really valuable.

    It's like home renovations - some you can do yourself, some you need professional advice and some you should never attempt yourself even though you get what needs to be done. She probably won't go forever, but if she needs a starting point it can be useful especially if she is going to be open to advice.
  • ccruz985
    ccruz985 Posts: 646 Member
    Lou_trition wrote: »
    vespiquenn wrote: »
    Skip the nutritionist and see a registered dietitian. Anyone could basically get a nutrition certification and not have a clue how weight loss works.

    Or she could get herself a nutritionist who specialises in weightloss- or even better, has actually been through losing over 100lbs. Ive become a nutritionist to help people lose weight and most of all I have the empathy as I've been there. All of my clients are smashing their targets and they are on MORE calories than they have been before.

    This is the exact reason I'm studying to be an RD. I feel like my patients will be so much more successful because I can totally relate (my personal total loss is 140lbs).
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    HarlemNY17 wrote: »
    How about seeing your doctor first before you spend your money

    GPs have very little in the way of training/education on nutrition unless they go out of their way to get that education...the only reason to see a doctor would be to get a referral to see an RD.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    ccruz985 wrote: »
    Lou_trition wrote: »
    vespiquenn wrote: »
    Skip the nutritionist and see a registered dietitian. Anyone could basically get a nutrition certification and not have a clue how weight loss works.

    Or she could get herself a nutritionist who specialises in weightloss- or even better, has actually been through losing over 100lbs. Ive become a nutritionist to help people lose weight and most of all I have the empathy as I've been there. All of my clients are smashing their targets and they are on MORE calories than they have been before.

    This is the exact reason I'm studying to be an RD. I feel like my patients will be so much more successful because I can totally relate (my personal total loss is 140lbs).

    Congrats--and you are doing it the right way to make the commitment and do the work to become a legitimate professional.

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