I’ve never talked to anyone about my food struggles. I’m used to handling things on my own. Aren’t people who go to seek help weak?

Not at all. People who ask for help know when they need it and have the ability to reach out. Everyone needs help now and then. You already have strengths that you’ve used before that, for whatever reason, aren’t working right now. Perhaps this problem in your relationship with food feels overwhelming and is making it difficult to access your past strengths. In our work together, I’ll help you identify what those strengths are and how to implement them again in what is happening now. It is never a weakness to admit that you need help overcoming a problem; that’s being resourceful and proactive.

What’s the difference between talking to you or my best friend or family about my diet?

A Registered Dietitian can help you approach your situation in a new way- teach you new skills, gain different perspectives, listen to you without judgment or expectations, and help you listen to yourself. Also, Registered Dietitians know the science of foods and do not rely on fad diets or gimmicks. Seeing an RD is seeing a nutrition professional.Furthermore, nutrition therapy is completely confidential. You won’t have to worry about others “knowing my business.” You can confidently move in a new direction in your life and heal your relationship with food once and for all.

How does it work? What do I have to do in sessions?

Because the nature of this work is therapeutic, it is very important to be honest with yourself and with your RD. If the main goal is to heal your relationship with food, the important part is to be open with the parts of your relationship with food that are disordered. Upon further exploration, it is then that the relationship with food is healed and you are able to move on past the food and feeding issues that have been holding you back.

How long will it take?

Unfortunately, this is not possible to say until an assessment is completed. Everyone’s circumstances are unique to them and the length of time nutrition therapy can take to allow you to accomplish your goals depends on your desire for personal development, your commitment, and the factors that are driving you to seek nutrition therapy in the first place.

I want to get the most out of nutrition therapy. What can I do to help?

We are so glad you are dedicated to getting the most out of your sessions. Your active participation and dedication is crucial to your success. After all, we only see each other for a session a week. It’s the work you do outside of our sessions that will really help you see your personal growth and development. Implementing your meal plan or eating guidelines, food journaling, working through food anxieties, and being honest with your emotions around this are all critical to your success.

Do I need Medical Nutrition Therapy?

Our diet, or what we consume as individuals, is one of the most important parts of our existence. Food provides fuel for our bodies and minds to operate and execute. It’s crucial that an individual’s diet consists of the appropriate nutrition that our bodies need to function and thrive.

Our diet impacts how we look, how we think, how we move, how we sleep, and how we function. A dietitian works with individuals to ensure that their diet is appropriate for their needs and nutritional standards.

What is Medical Nutrition Therapy?

Medical Nutrition Therapy, or MNT, is an evidence-based medical approach to treating chronic conditions through an individually tailored nutrition plan. It begins with an assessment from a Registered Dietitian, and then a tailored nutritional plan is prescribed.

What is the difference between a Registered Dietitian and a nutritionist?

Registered Dietitians are healthcare providers who have undergone intensive training and education in order to provide nutrition services to individuals who are looking for preventative nutrition counseling or medical nutrition therapy.

In order to become an RD, an individual must have:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college
• Completed an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program. These programs are typically about 12 months long.
• Passed the exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
• Regularly complete continuing professional educational requirements

A nutritionist, or nutritionist counselor, is not a regulated term and the certificate programs that provide these certifications are not subject to regulatory oversight. 

The licensure requirements for Registered Dietitians are more rigorous than certificate programs and enforce stricter standards when it comes to ethics, clinical practice, professional liability, education, and supervised training.

What can I expect from my first visit?

Your first visit will begin with reviewing your completed medical forms, current food intake, health concerns, medical history, dietary supplement use, and talking about what your desired outcomes are.

We will work together to create a nutritional plan and follow-up appointments will track your progress from a medical, physical, and emotional perspective to ensure that the individually-tailored nutritional plan is working properly for you, and adjusting as needed.

Do you coordinate with other healthcare providers I am seeing?

Yes! In order to provide the most comprehensive care possible to our clients, we often communicate directly with other practitioners.