Nutrition Counselling

Human health depends on many factors, and one of them is proper nutrition. This should be followed not only by models, artists, politicians and all those who perform in front of people. The fact is that an unhealthy diet, overweight problems or anorexia have many unpleasant consequences. These are, in particular:

• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract – gastritis, ulcers and much more;
• disorders of the cardiovascular system, such as thrombosis or atherosclerosis;
• diseases of the joints – due to excess weight, the load on the joints and the spine increases;
• diseases of the biliary tract – excess fat in the abdomen can cause gallstones;
• metabolic disorders caused by endocrine diseases, including diabetes mellitus, make it more difficult for the patient to lose weight, even if he or she wants to and makes a lot of effort.

But these problems can be dealt with. A nutritionist will help you with this.

Who is a nutritionist?

A nutritionist is a person who advises others on matters of food and nutrition and their impacts on health. A nutritionist is a doctor, not a coach, teacher or psychologist. This expert treats obesity, gives advice on proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.

A nutritionist is good at solving problems related to diet and weight. To do this, he or she uses advanced techniques and training with proven effectiveness. You should contact this expert if you want to get advice on adjusting the diet and preventing various diseases caused by improper nutrition, as well as learn how to lose weight or, conversely, gain weight. Nutrition counselling is also useful for those who are actively involved in sports and fitness or are recovering from an injury, surgery or serious illness.

What does a nutritionist do?

The main task of a nutritionist is to develop proper nutrition schemes. Such regimens are needed not only for patients suffering from obesity, anorexia, or diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Healthy people are also interested in them, realizing that a balanced diet is a guarantee that they will not face many diseases in the future.

Many people believe that nutritionists work mainly with those who want to lose weight. But anorexia is also within their purview. This eating disorder leading to painful weight loss is common. In most cases, young girls suffer from it.

When do I need to see a nutritionist?

When is it worth visiting a nutritionist? You should definitely contact a specialist if you have problems with weight. This applies to both its excess and lack. At the same time, in no case should you postpone your visit. Remember, the sooner you see your doctor, the easier it will be to solve your problems. And you will definitely need a consultation before you decide to try to lose weight with a low-calorie diet.

You should consult a nutritionist if you have:

• diabetes;
• allergic conditions;
• oncological diseases;
• thyroid disease;
• diseases of the digestive and cardiovascular systems.

In all of the above cases, a patient may have weight fluctuations, which negatively affect the general condition. At the same time, following a carefully selected and balanced diet can make life more comfortable.

Parents need to pay attention to the condition of their children as they may also have weight problems. If a child has a tendency to obesity or anorexia (this is especially typical for teenage girls), he or she needs to consult a nutritionist. Type I diabetes mellitus and various chronic diseases, including diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, are also a reason for visiting a specialist.

Frequent ARVI, tonsillitis and other similar diseases are associated with a decrease in immunity, which, in turn, is a consequence of improper nutrition. If you or your child often suffer from these conditions, you should see a nutritionist who will give recommendations for correcting nutrition. Following them will help solve the problem.

How to prepare for your visit

If you have nutritional problems, you should keep a food diary. This will help you keep track of your meals and monitor the dynamics of weight change. Typically, the diary states:

1. What have you eaten?
2. When did you eat it?
3. How much food did you eat? (it is better to record the number of calories)
4. Why did you eat it: were hungry or could not resist, were stressed? etc.

Be sure to take this diary with you to your consultation. If you have already passed any examinations and were tested, bring these results. Any information about your eating habits, as well as about the dynamics of weight change, will be useful to the doctor.

People with chronic diseases who receive constant therapy should not skip taking medications, even if they go to a nutritionist. Think in advance about the questions you want to ask. For example:

1. What is a healthy weight for me?
2. How can I eat right if I have gastritis / peptic ulcer / diabetes mellitus?
3. What should I eat to get sick less often?
4. How can I achieve the desired indicators? What can I do to gain the necessary weight or get rid of extra pounds?
5. Is my excess weight a cause of health problems, or have health problems caused me to be overweight now?

Nutritionist consultation

At the initial appointment, the specialist will get acquainted with the data on the state of your body, which are indicated in the medical record, and the results of the tests taken earlier.

At the appointment, a nutritionist:

• measures anthropometric data (height, weight, body mass index, waist and hip circumference);
• collects anamnesis, analyzes actual nutrition, dietary habits, physical activity;
• conducts bioimpedansometry – computer analysis of body composition;
• selects the optimal caloric content of the diet;
• gives individual advice on nutrition and lifestyle;
• prescribes the necessary diagnostic tests;
• recommends drugs that normalize metabolic processes and correct hormonal levels.

The number of follow-up visits to your nutritionist will depend on how difficult your case is. The fact is that the body of each person is individual, and there is no solution that suits absolutely everyone. It is necessary to collect as much data as possible about a particular patient in order to determine safe ways that will help him/her successfully achieve this goal.

• If you are seeing an endocrinologist-dietitian, he or she can refer you for an analysis to determine the level of thyroid hormones. This is due to the fact that often excess weight is a consequence of the malfunctioning of this organ. Other specific examinations may also be needed: ultrasound of the abdominal organs, electrocardiography, assessment of insulin sensitivity, analysis of food intolerance, etc.
• The doctor will carefully study the results of tests and examinations. Based on them, he or she will select an individual diet for the patient, taking into account the needs of the body, food preferences, general health and a number of other factors. The expert will give specific nutritional recommendations to be followed.

How much does a nutritionist cost in Canada?

It will probably cost you $15-$35 for a nutritionist appointment in Canada.