How Does A Dietician Help A Patient
Diets do not work for everyone. For some people, cutting down on fatty foods, sugar, salt, alcohol, and junk food may make them feel better, but it will have little effect on weight loss. The key is making small changes that you can stick with over time.
It’s important to understand why your body needs certain nutrients when trying to lose weight. If you don’t pay attention to what your body really needs, you could end up eating more than enough of those essential vitamins and minerals. And if you’re deficient in one nutrient, you won’t get all the right ones from other foods. When you go shopping, try to find whole grains (like brown rice), fruits, vegetables, lean protein sources like beans and fish, healthy fats, and low-fat dairy products.
The best way to learn how much to eat of each group is through trial and error. You’ll need to experiment until you figure out what works for you. But there are some general tips to follow:
Eat five or six times a day. Eating smaller meals throughout the day helps keep your blood glucose levels stable while preventing hunger pangs between meals. It also keeps cravings at bay. However, you should avoid skipping breakfast entirely because doing so makes you crave unhealthy snacks later in the day when you might otherwise resist temptation. Skipping meals often leads to overeating during mealtimes. Also, remember that portion sizes matter. Eat only until satisfied. Don’t fill up just because you ate too much.
Choose wisely. Make sure you choose nutritious foods instead of empty calories. Fruits and veggies contain lots of fiber, which gives you energy without adding fat. Lean proteins include meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, nuts, seeds, beans, and soybeans. Fish contains omega 3 fatty acids, which lower cholesterol and protect against cardiovascular diseases. Dairy products such as cheese and milk are rich in calcium. Low-fat versions of these foods are still good choices. Avoid processed meats like hot dogs, bacon, sausages, and cold cuts. Salt substitutes are healthier options than regular table salt.
Avoid fried foods. Fried foods can cause inflammation in your body, especially if deep-fried. Deep-frying foods also adds unnecessary calories. Instead, bake, broil, steam, grill, roast, poach, or microwave your food.
Watch portions. Portion control is important. Choose recipes that serve four or fewer servings per meal. Each serving should have approximately 200 grams of carbohydrates, 60 grams of protein, 20 to 25 grams of dietary fiber, 10 grams fat, and 5 milligrams of sodium.
Add exercise. Exercise provides many benefits including burning extra calories, increasing muscle mass and strength, decreasing stress, improving flexibility, and reducing risk factors associated with chronic disease. Try exercising 30 minutes every day. Or increase your activity level gradually. Start walking for 15 minutes every day and then add another minute every week. After three months, you can walk briskly for half an hour. Once you start exercising regularly, you’ll begin feeling better and look forward to exercising. Then you can move on to more vigorous activities.
If you want to start an exercise program, check with your physician before starting any new activity. He or she can suggest exercises appropriate for you and your condition. Remember, exercise doesn’t have to mean joining a gym. Many people enjoy taking walks, hiking, swimming, dancing, gardening, playing sports, skiing, bicycling, kayaking, canoeing, and even yard maintenance. Just take care to stay safe and warm.
Keep track of progress. Keep a record of your progress and measure your waistline measurements once a month. These records can help motivate you to continue your efforts toward losing weight.
Don’t give up. It takes time to achieve your goals. Be patient and persistent. Your dedication and commitment will determine whether you succeed.
Get counseling. Talk to your doctor or counselor about your problems. Some doctors offer free sessions. Others charge fees based on your insurance coverage. Counselors can also refer you to resources available to help deal with issues related to emotional, social, spiritual, cultural, or psychological aspects of your problem.
A dietician can provide personalized nutritional services to meet individual needs. She can assist patients in developing meal plans that fit within their budgets. She can also provide education and counseling about proper nutrition and physical activity. People who have special medical concerns or illnesses may require additional assistance from dieticians.
Diagnosis
Education
Counseling
Nutritional supplements
Specialty consultation
1) Diagnosis – A dietician uses various tests to evaluate a person’s current health status as well as his or her lifestyle. During this evaluation, he or she considers a person’s age, gender, race, genetic makeup, family history of disease, personal habits, and overall state of health. A complete assessment allows him or her to develop a customized plan specific to the individual.
2) Education – A dietician teaches clients about different types of foods, their nutrient content, and the effects of eating particular foods on their health. He or she also educates them about choosing healthy alternatives to less-healthy foods.
3) Counseling – A dietician can help patients set realistic goals and establish long-term strategies to reach those goals. He or she may also advise them about ways to maintain motivation and discipline to accomplish their goals.
4) Nutritional Supplements – A dietician may recommend nutritional supplements after evaluating a client’s overall health. Depending upon the situation, supplements may be recommended to enhance immune function, reduce pain and swelling, strengthen bones, promote healing, and prevent complications.
5) Specialty Consultation – A dietician may consult with physicians or other healthcare providers regarding specific questions or concerns relative to the treatment of a specific disorder or illness. In addition to providing guidance on the most appropriate course of action, he or she may collaborate with specialists to ensure continuity of care.
People with special medical concerns or illnesses may require additional assistance from dieticians. Certain disorders, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, coronary artery disease, stroke, kidney stones, gallbladder disease, Crohn’s Disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac sprue, hypothyroidism, polycystic ovarian syndrome, menopause, menstrual cycle irregularities, and pregnancy may require special consideration.
Some practitioners believe that diet plays a major role in skin aging. As we grow older, our skin loses its elasticity, leading to wrinkles and sagging. Skin naturally begins to thin with age, and collagen production decreases. Nutritionists say that antioxidants in fruits, vegetables, and other foods slow the aging process of skin cells. Antioxidants fight off free radicals, molecules produced by exposure to ultraviolet light, pollution, cigarette smoke, radiation, chemicals, and toxins. Free radicals damage cell walls, making skin appear old and wrinkled. By consuming antioxidant-rich foods, you can ward off damaging free radicals and contribute to younger looking skin.
Foods containing carotenoids, flavonoids, vitamin C, selenium, zinc, and phytoestrogens have been shown to benefit skin. Research indicates that diets high in fruits, vegetables, and legumes can reduce the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles. Other research suggests that women who consume large amounts of beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, and cryptoxanthins aged 50 years or older have decreased odds of developing breast cancer. Beta-carotene and other carotenoid compounds found in carrots, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes may reduce the harmful effects of sun exposure. Lycopene, the pigment responsible for the red color of tomatoes and watermelon, has strong anti-inflammatory properties. Selenium protects DNA from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Zinc serves several functions in the body, and deficiency in humans results in increased susceptibility to infections. Phytoestrogens, plant estrogens similar to the human estrogen, decrease bone loss, increase bone density, and reduce the symptoms of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
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