5 Ways a Dietitian Can Help You This Month
March is Nutrition Month! A Dietitian's favourite time of year! We get to spread knowledge and fun facts about all the things we love about our job. I have spent several years trying to have fun events at my long term care centres, having the culinary teams whip up tasty and nutritious meals, all while sharing tidbits of nutrition fun facts. This March, I would like to share 5 ways a dietitian can help you this month.
1. Dietitians Can Help You Understand Nutrition Research
As experts on all things nutrition, Dietitians have a responsibility to stay up to date on the latest nutrition research. The research on food and nutrition is constantly evolving, and what we may have thought was correct 10 years or even 1 year ago, has changed with new ways to measure and test theories. Dietitians can help you understand the current evidence available on a variety of nutrition topics, and how it can apply to you.
2. Dietitians Can Help You Alter Recipes to Improve Nutritional Quality
We love to tinker with recipes and make foods fit whatever nutrition goals you may have. Think of Dietitians as scientists in a lab. A dash of this, a sprinkle of that, and boom! A deliciously nutritious recipe. Dietitians can help you to make any recipe a little more nutritious. Whether it be less salt, more protein or fibre, or even higher calorie. I have a nice article about a few ways to improve the nutritional quality in recipes. You can read that here.
3. Dietitians Can Help You Manage Your Chronic Disease
Dietitians are trained on providing medical nutrition therapies and may even specialize in your chronic condition. For example, you can find a Dietitian who specializes in diabetes, heart disease, celiac disease, and multiple sclerosis. If you have a chronic condition, a Dietitian can help you plan a diet that may improve health or in some cases, reduce symptoms.
4. Dietitians Can Help You Grocery Shop on a Budget
Dietitians are here to help you find the most nutritious food items to fit your budget, during this time of price inflation. Many Dietitians work in food service environments, as well as in the community focusing on food security. Not only this, but Dietitians are also trying to feed their own families, and so they take a special interest in finding nutritious foods at the best possible price. I have a great article to introduce a few suggestions here.
5. Dietitians Provide Recommendations to Fit Your Needs, Where You Are, Today
There are many diets out there. Most people have tried at least one diet in their lifetime. You may know someone who was able to lose a significant amount of weight by trying a diet, and when you try, you don't get quite the same results. Diet recommendations need to be tailored to each individual, and take into consideration your health, nutrition history, and motivations and limitations. Dietitians are trained on a wide array of counselling techniques and stay up to date on the most effective therapies to assist those with food and eating struggles. Dietitians are here to help you make positive, long-lasting changes to your health.
How do I find a Dietitian?
- Ask your doctor for a referral
- Alberta Health Link has a Dietitian - call 811
- The College of Dietitians of Alberta's Find a Dietitian Directory for Registered Dietitians in Private Practice
- The Dietitian Directory (www.dietitiandirectory.com)
- Dietitians of Canada, “Find a Dietitian” to find a Registered Dietitian who specializes in your area of interest and is located near you
- Your local Primary Care Network clinic
Where can I get more support with nutrition for healthy aging?
If you would like to know other ways a dietitian can help you this month, I am happy to help! I offer in-home, in-office, and virtual assessment services as well as meal planning. My ultimate goal is to ensure you and your loved ones are getting the nutrition needed to stay happy, healthy, and strong, for as long as possible.
Read more about my services here: Virtual and In-Person Nutrition Counselling.
If you would like to book your free 15-minute discovery call with me, you can do so here.
And remember to check with your insurance provider to see if you are covered for Registered Dietitian Services through your plan or health spending account. Dietitian services are also tax deductible!