Eating healthy foods has countless benefits. From supporting muscles to keeping your skin and eyes healthy, proper nutrition is important.
Food and our relationship with it have become complicated. From allergies to illness to a lack of education, some people struggle to eat a wide variety of foods. This is where a registered dietitian can help.
WHAT IS A REGISTERED DIETITIAN?
A registered dietitian is a health professional who has extensive training in nutrition, food, and how diet can affect health.
They can teach people about the importance of eating nutritious foods and help develop healthy meal plans and habits.
Dietitians can also help those in specific circumstances that need additional support. Here are seven signs you should consider talking to a dietitian.
1. WHEN YOU’RE AT RISK OF DEVELOPING A CHRONIC ILLNESS
When a medical provider determines you may be at risk of developing a chronic illness, a dietitian can be a great resource in avoiding that illness.
Typically, a doctor can determine if you’re at risk of a chronic illness through routine physical exams and blood tests. If your doctor sees high blood sugar levels, evidence of elevated blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart problems, they may suggest you visit a dietitian to make lifestyle and dietary changes.
Eating a diet rich in nutritious foods can help you avoid diseases such as:
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- Depression
- Some cancers
Counseling with a dietitian can give you more education on your risks, what foods increase your risk of disease, and how you can make better food choices.
2. WHEN YOU HAVE A CHRONIC ILLNESS
If you already have a chronic illness, meeting with a dietitian can be exceptionally helpful. You might see a dietitian for conditions such as:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Crohn’s disease
- Celiac disease
For example, if you have Crohn's disease, you probably have an inflamed digestive system. When there is inflammation, your body may not absorb the necessary nutrients, leading to malnutrition. A registered dietitian can work around dietary restrictions to help you get the nutrients you need in your diet.
Medical Nutritional Therapy (MNT) is a service available to eligible Medicare members. A dietitian (or nutrition professional who meets certain requirements) can provide an initial assessment, nutritional therapy services, and help manage lifestyle factors that affect your diabetes.
If you have Part B Medicare and have diabetes, kidney disease, or a kidney transplant in the last 36 months, you could be eligible for MNT. Talk to your doctor and your insurance plan to see if you qualify.
3. YOUR CHILD HAS A SPECIAL DIET OR GROWTH NEEDS
Getting children to eat fruits and vegetables is hard for most parents. But for children with special dietary needs, getting in the necessary nutrients can seem nearly impossible.
Dietitians are trained to help people of all ages meet certain nutritional goals. For children with type 1 diabetes or chronic illnesses, some foods that are considered healthy aren’t actually a good option. A dietitian can help you find nutritious foods that fit your child’s needs.
Dietitians also help children who aren’t growing at a healthy rate and need specialized meal guidance to gain weight appropriately. On the other hand, there are kids who struggle with obesity and need help learning healthy eating habits.
No matter the circumstances, a dietitian can help children make healthy, individual food choices for life.
4. YOU HAVE DISORDERED EATING HABITS OR AN EATING DISORDER
About 5% of the population is affected by eating disorders. Each disorder has slightly different symptoms, but they all revolve around food.
Here are some of the common behaviors and thought patterns associated with an eating disorder:
- Preoccupations with food, weight, or body shape
- Anxiety about eating
- Restrictive eating
- Binge eating
- Purging
- Abusing laxatives
- Compulsive exercise
Because an eating disorder involves thoughts, physical health, and compulsive behaviors, many people benefit from more than one treatment approach.
Those who suffer from eating disorders may see improvements from receiving treatment from a medical provider, therapist, and registered dietitian.
If you have developed disordered eating habits, consulting a registered dietitian can be very helpful.
DISORDERED EATING
The symptoms of disordered eating and those of an eating disorder have a lot in common.
Behaviors such as fasting, binge eating, skipping meals, avoiding a type of food, self-induced vomiting, and more are all signs of disordered eating.
If you notice yourself engaging in any of these behaviors, see your primary care provider and a registered dietitian for help.
5. YOU FEEL STRESSED ABOUT FOOD AND HOW TO EAT WELL
When you must eat daily to survive, food shouldn’t be something you stress about. With so many so-called experts on social media and the internet, healthy eating can seem confusing and frustrating.
UCHealth dietitian Skylar Weir says your relationship with food can affect more than just your diet. “When our relationship with food is negative or a little bit off, we’re putting ourselves at risk for nutrient deficiencies and even chronic issues, such as poor bone density,” Weir says. “We may not experience as much joy, we may have some anxiety, or we may not feel as present in certain situations.”
Meeting with a registered dietitian can help you build a positive relationship with food so you don’t feel stress or guilt when you eat.
Click here to find a registered dietitian in Colorado, Utah, Nevada, or Idaho.
6. YOU HAVE FOOD ALLERGIES AND NEED NUTRITIONAL GUIDANCE
Food allergies are common among both adults and children. According to the CDC, 6.2% of adults and 5.8% of children are allergic to at least one food item.
Depending on the food and how many allergies you have, choosing healthy foods can be challenging. For example, if your child is allergic to eggs, you might have a hard time finding recipes and food items that don’t contain eggs or weren’t processed in a facility with eggs.
A registered dietitian can help you navigate complex food allergies and adjust your diet in a healthy way.
7. YOU WANT TO LOSE OR GAIN WEIGHT
Being either over or underweight has significant health risks.
On one end of the spectrum, being underweight can increase the risk of certain health problems. Here are a few of many issues that can stem from being underweight:
- Low muscle mass
- Muscular atrophy
- Heart problems
- Iron deficiencies
- A compromised immune system
- Fertility problems
On the other hand, being overweight can increase the risk of developing these conditions and more:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Fertility problems
- Some cancers
A healthy diet can help prevent disease. If your doctor is concerned about your weight for any reason, making changes in your food choices and how much you eat can help you not only feel better but also live better for years to come.
A registered dietitian can help you assess your current diet and recommend healthy and manageable changes. Working with an expert can take the guesswork out of eating well.
Not only will their expertise benefit you, but regular visits will help you be accountable to someone other than yourself.
FIND A REGISTERED DIETITIAN NEAR YOU
If you’re concerned about your diet or relationship with food, help is available. The first place to start is with your primary care provider. They can evaluate your health to see if a dietitian can help you.
Many insurance plans won’t cover dietitian services without a doctor’s referral, so be sure to check before you make an appointment.
To find a registered dietitian or primary care doctor near you, visit SelectHealth.org.