See a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
See a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
March is National Nutrition Month®.
National Nutrition Month® is an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (the professional association to which I belong as a registered dietitian nutritionist).
Each year, part of this campaign (and always) is to help consumers make informed food choices and develop healthy eating and physical activity habits.
This year’s theme (2023), “Fuel for the Future,” highlights the importance of fueling our bodies at every age and eating with the environment in mind.
Continuing with National Nutrition Month® today, I bring you the topic: See a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).
Ask your doctor for a referral to an RDN.
Doctors refer to specialists as appropriate - ask for a referral to a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist to address health concerns and how to manage with over diet.
People often think they should ask their doctor about their nutrition needs, what to do, how to lose weight (correctly), and how to address so much.
But most doctors do not know the nuances of nutrition – it isn’t even a required class for pre-med, let alone in medical school.
Doctors don’t do physical therapy – they refer to the physical therapist.
Doctors don’t do the swallow evaluations or speech therapy – they refer to the speech-language pathologist.
Doctors don’t do occupational therapy – they refer to the occupational therapist.
Doctors refer to specialists as appropriate – the oncologist, the dermatologist, the orthopedist, and the radiologist. They refer to the specialist. And the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist is a nutrition specialist.
Find an RDN who specializes in your unique needs.
There are generalists, and there are specialists.
There are oncology dietitians, renal (kidney) dietitians, and diabetes specialists.
There are pediatric dietitians, those who work in long-term care facilities, and those who work in acute care facilities (hospitals).
Some specialize in sports, others in communications, and others work in agriculture and industry.
Like a lot of professions, dietitians specialize. You don’t want to go to a divorce attorney or someone specializing in contract law if you are accused of murder. You find the attorney who has the right specialty and focus.
This type of specialization is also true for a dietitian.
Learn how nutrient needs may change with age.
Yes, you are human (I assume) and have some basic needs consistent throughout life. For example, you need water, vitamins, minerals, protein, fat, and carbohydrates.
Nutrient needs change with age - and a registered dietitian nutritionist can help you navigate these changes.
However, some nutrient needs change with age.
Our protein needs are high as children (relative to our body weight) and a bit lower as adults; however, the protein needs to increase again with age.
Calorie needs are high in stages of growth but gradually decline with age.
Some vitamin and mineral needs change. For example, iron needs change through many stages of life and whether someone is male vs. female.
Water needs may change.
And a registered dietitian nutritionist knows what all these specific needs are.
General recommendations are okay, but specifics will change.
Receive personalized nutrition information to meet your health goals.
Do you want to lose weight? Your needs and method of doing so are different from someone else.
Do you want to gain weight? Your needs and method of doing so are different from someone else. No, it is not cheeseburgers and milkshakes.
Do you want to manage your diabetes, high blood pressure, your autoimmune disease?
Do you want to “feel better”?
Do you have food allergies or intolerances?
Do you want to have energy all day and not have to rely on energy drinks to keep you alert through the afternoon?
Dietitians don’t generally give you a meal plan but help you make those decisions and plans so you can do it on your own for life.
As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, I can help you with your nutrient needs throughout life since they change throughout life, and give you personalized nutrition information to meet your health goals. Let’s talk about it. And, if I don’t have the specialty you need, I will help you find the right person for you. Schedule a free introductory call today.
