Should I meet with a Dietitian?

How to know if meeting with a dietitian is right for you.

Just to give a quick introduction, my name is Jordan Chen I meet with patients one-on-one for nutrition counseling sessions, and I wanted to briefly answer some common questions and address other issues I frequently hear so patients can make an informed decision on whether or not meeting with a dietitian is right for them!

Couldn’t I just talk to a health coach or other nutritionist?

You definitely can! Just to explain the differences, however, is that the term “nutritionist” is not regulated (so anyone can technically call themselves a nutritionist). Health coaches don’t require a degree, but may require a certification. A dietitian has to have at least a four-year degree, at least 1,200 supervised practice hours, and pass a national board exam. Due to this, dietitians have to abide by giving science based nutrition advice as well as abide by our code of ethics, otherwise we can lose our license. This is not to say nutritionists and health coaches don’t know their stuff, but keep in mind that their background in nutrition may be much different that a registered dietitian.

Couldn’t I just Google nutrition information?

Absolutely! I love that we have access to the collective human knowledge at our fingertips at a moment’s notice. However, have you found that you looked up nutrition information, just to be bombarded with contradictory diet advice? Or have you felt overwhelmed at just HOW much information is out there? Some patients may benefit seeking advice from a medical professional who can help guide a patient in the right direction without making them feel defeated or overwhelmed. On top of that, there is so much more that goes into our diets than just food and nutrients. There is a lot of emotion and psychological issues that impact our choices in what we eat and a dietitian can help patients work through these issues so they don’t keep trying and failing at different diets.

Does it cost a lot of money?

One of the down sides of visiting a dietitian is it can be pricey if you have to pay out of pocket. Luckily, insurance companies see the benefits of how diet and lifestyle change can prevent or mitigate future medical issues down the road and many insurances now cover nutrition counseling. Check with your insurance or call our clinic to see if you qualify for coverage for nutrition counseling or ask for out of pocket costs.

In Conclusion

I hope you found some of this information helpful. Each person has such different backgrounds when it comes to what we like to eat, ability to cook certain foods, money constraints, dietary restrictions, and much more. Feel free to call our clinic if you want further information or want to set up an appointment!