So, You Think You Know What I'm Going to Say...

I have heard from a number of people that they are apprehensive about making an appointment with a registered dietitian (RD). The reasons why vary, but follow a few common trends. The most common thing I hear is, "I already know what you're going to say." They think that I am going to judge them for the foods that they eat. For some, it is also a fear of being told not to eat certain foods or that they have done something morally offensive by enjoying foods that many classify as “junk”.

I would love to dispel some of the negative assumptions of what working with a dietitian is like.

People are surprised that one of the most common recommendations that I give is to eat more, not less. That I encourage people to eat the foods that they love, and never consider any food or food group off limits. They assume that because I am a dietitian that I don't eat carbohydrates and my children have never had sugar (which could not be farther from the truth!). People also think it's bizarre that I love to bake. And no, I don't adjust all of my recipes to be "healthier" - whatever that means.

I should clarify that just as there are different ways to practice as an RD, not all RDs practice the same way. I classify myself as a non-diet dietitian working in a weight-neutral space. This means that instead of focusing on weight loss as an outcome of nutrition counseling, I like to focus on behavior changes that will help to improve overall health and well being. Not everyone practices this way, so it is important to find a provider that is the right fit for you.

But do you want to know the truth? Only a small portion of the time that I meet with clients, especially in our initial consultation, is spent talking about food. Most of the time we spend together is discussing all of the multitude of factors that play a role in your overall health. I ask questions about your past medical history, mental health, stress levels, sleep habits, exercise, and your day to day routine. I also like to dig into what kind of dieting history you have - which most of the people that I speak with have tried at least one diet in their lifetime. I am a strong believer that your relationship with food is far more important than any food that you eat.

That being said, of course we will talk about food. I will ask about what you usually eat in a day, what your eating schedule looks like, and your food preferences. Then can we start to work together to find small ways to make changes that support your goals. Through my experience I have learned to collaborate with my clients instead of just instructing them to “do this” or “eat that”. I find that is the most effective way to empower and support each individual on their journey.

This is also why I don’t typically provide strict meal plans for my clients. Strict meal plans can be helpful for certain situations, however they do not usually provide long term solutions. Flexibility within your daily routine is a must! Anyone who has ever forgotten to pull chicken out of the freezer the night before can attest to this. I encourage autonomy, so you are able to make decisions based on what you want, need and desire to eat at any given moment.

If you are looking for a dietitian and have been hesitating for whatever reason, I encourage you to do some research before scheduling your appointment. As I mentioned, there are many ways that RDs practice. Figuring out what your ultimate goals are and finding someone that practices in a way that supports those goals is important. Many dietitians, including myself, offer “discovery calls” where you can have an opportunity to discuss what you are looking for, and also ask any questions you might have about the way that they practice.

Bottom line is, don't put off getting help because of misconceptions of how dietitians practice. There are plenty of us out there, and many times our services can be covered by insurance!