How do you get the most out of meeting with a nutritionist?

Do you have the option of seeing a different person with the same specialty?

I think it's like any kind of professional in a range of fields like personal trainers, therapists/counselors, physical therapists, massage therapists, even doctors: We click with some of them in kind of subjective ways (so the experience is more valuable), but definitely don't click with others. It's not necessarily a diss on their knowledge, since things like communication style and professional philosophy matter.

Do you want to try to say anything about the nature of why you felt the experience was less than helpful to you? That may help people here give you useful suggestions.

I consulted a registered dietitian at one point. She was a specialist at the cancer center where I was being treated. I came to her with very specific questions, and she was extremely helpful to me in finding the information I was seeking (plus helping me sort out valid sources from sketchy ones).

Being honest, I haven't seen a dietitian for a general "how should I eat" kind of consultation, or even "how should I eat given that my goals are X, Y, Z." Most of that stuff I worked out on my own, and to the point I've discussed it with other relevant medical professionals, and based on my blood test results and what-not, that's worked OK for me. YMMV.

Also, since you mention insurance I'm wondering if you're in the US. In parts of the US, "registered dietitians" are the people with formal credentials (education and/or licensing), whereas "nutritionists" may have more limited credentials. If your insurance paid, it seems like you may be in a place where nutritionists need credentials, though, since insurers are usually pretty strict.

Best wishes!

Yes, what was the problem? Without that info nobody can give you a valid opinion

I worked with a dietician when I first started. In fact, she referred me here to MFP.

I went in armed with a list of questions, as well as a written list (pre-MFP, remember?) of what I’d been eating, so she could suggest improvements.

I took a note pad and made copious notes. (I’m an in one ear and out the other gal otherwise.”yeah yeah uh huh uh huh, I completely forgot what you said.”)

Having thought out it beforehand, having those questions and that list, and eager to hear what she suggested, all made a difference in how I “took” her advice (as opposed to hostility for ruling out foods I loved or eye-rolling in frustration). It also helped me utilize my limited time with her.

I later used a phone-dietician service through my health insurance, mainly to learn anything else I could and bolster what I was doing, but I’d already lost all my weight by then. Frankly, she was knowledgeable, but kind of awkward because, as she put it, I no longer needed her help and could probably teach her a thing or two. Had I still been obese, I would have approached her the same as I did the in-person lady.

Maybe you just had a personality clash. But I was ready for change, and ready to be vulnerable, i.e. to shed my know-it-all personality. . Ain’t gonna lie. Being fat was painful and shameful for me, and I’m a prickly person. I had to be prepared to humble myself to suggestions if I wanted to get traction.

Not saying that’s you, but I don’t think I’m too different from most.

You want me to give up WHAT?!!!

My dietician really got me started. If it’s truly a personality conflict, it’s well worth it to find another.

Probably having a basic understanding of biology and nutrition would be a good start which would allow for more nuanced conversations. Also most dietitians will have been trained in reductive biology focusing on individual nutrients in isolation as opposed to a more integrative approach and the reason why it's important to do your own research. The sheer volume of editorials from dietitians I read on a daily basic that are generally found in legacy media really don't have a clue or are biased for one reason or another and why the contuned grain is good, grain is bad, eggs are good eggs are bad and on and on....it's quite frightening how reductive style medicine is completely void of critical thinking, it seems and imo. Of course there are good dietitians and thankfully they're pretty easy to spot and why having a basic understanding of nutrition is valuable or at least a good starting point.