Need Nutrition Advice?
Have you recently had a medical diagnosis that requires a special diet? Has your doctor given you a diet that seems impossible to follow? Just wanting to sort through all the muck about healthy eating? You need a Dietitian!
Why not a Nutritionist?
All Dietitians are Nutritionists but not all Nutritionists are Dietitians. Registered Dietitians or Registered Dietitian Nutritionists have specialized training not only in a variety of disease states but also in how to work with individuals to make the changes happen.
So How Do I Find One?
That’s the tricky part! There are professional organizations that list Dietitians, but Dietitians have to pay to be members of those organizations. The most common for general nutrition and some disease specific Dietitians is the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Searches can be conducted based on location, telehealth needs, and disease states. For those with Kidney Disease, the National Kidney Foundation also has a listing of dietitians by state they are licensed in.
Licensure, Say What?
Registered Dietitians regularly provide specific nutrition recommendations based on a person’s health and/or diseases, this is called Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT). MNT is covered by some insurances, which means state licensure comes into play.
Legally, a Registered Dietitian must abide by licensure laws in the state that the patient/client resides. That means many dietitians carry licenses for more than one state. Some states do not require licensure. It’s always a good idea to speak with a Dietitian about licensure and check to see if they bill insurance before working with them. Dietitians are not required to bill insurance and many don’t for two reasons. First, the number of covered sessions is likely less than is needed. Second, very few disease states have MNT benefits. Third, reimbursement rates for dietitian services are notoriously now.
A Bit About What to Expect:
If you’ve never worked with a Dietitian before, it can be hard to know what to expect. No, we don’t grade you on every food choice you make and judge you for the cake you had at your son’s birthday, we’re human too! What we do talk about are motivation, barriers, and GOAL…lots and lots of goal setting.
I am currently accepting clients! Please feel free to book a call!
The other day, my mom told me she’s ready to work with a professional nutritionist to help her lose the weight her body needs to lose. She’s tried hundreds of diets, and none has really worked. That’s why she’s finally looking for a specialist, so I’ll make sure she knows how to identify a certified one.