If you'd like some help tweaking your diet, or improving your health and wellness, a nutritionist can be a great place to start. A nutritionist is a health professional who evaluates overall diet and lifestyle, breaking it down into positive and negative components. Nutritionists are trained in the science behind what makes people sick, feel their best and maintain a healthy weight. They can help with all types of health concerns. But how do you choose a nutritionist who's right for you?
Whether you're recovering from an injury or illness, have allergies or want to find the best dietary sources for developing a healthy diet plan, these tips will lead you to a qualified nutritionist in your area who can help you out.
Check their qualifications
In Australia, the nutritional practice industry is unregulated, which means anyone can call themselves a nutritionist or dietitian. And that means it's worth "shopping around" before choosing a practitioner. Health professionals who claim to be nutritional experts should possess a degree in nutrition and dietetics, indicating that they have received formal education.
You want to make sure that their qualification is accredited by the Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA) or the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA). If so, they'll most likely be registered with the same association – which means they adhere to a certain code of conduct.
You might also like to check the Register of Nutritionists, a volunteer initiative set up by the NSA to make it easier for people to find reputable practitioners.
It's important to know the difference between a registered dietitian and a nutritionist. In addition to their undergraduate degree, the former also holds a postgraduate degree. Besides providing dietary advice, a dietitian provides medical nutrition therapy and other similar treatment approaches for a variety of clinical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, food allergy, coeliac disease, cardiovascular disease, etc.
Ask about their approach
Typically, nutrition experts provide nutrition counseling tailored to your lifestyle and goals. So it's wise to ensure your aims align with the practitioner's processes and philosophy. This is especially important if you have a specific health condition or concern, as some dietitians and nutritionists will specialise in certain areas.
There are nutritionists who work alongside food manufacturers and examine food labels. Others are nutrition scientists, nutrition coaches, or work in public health nutrition. Some nutritionists specialise in weight loss diet plans and are also personal trainers. A nutritionist can also be employed in an aged care facility, work in food service management or specialize in pediatric nutrition. Since nutritionists have a wide range of career opportunities, they specialize in a variety of fields. As one in need of a nutritionist, you should be aware of the area of specialisation of your ideal candidate.
Don't be afraid to ask how they approach nutrition, how they work, and what's involved and included in their services. You may need to have an initial consultation first, so they can assess your current diet and health and then propose a plan. But you should feel free to ask questions, and emerge from the session with a clear idea of what will happen next.
Know your reason for seeking a nutritionist
It's important to know why you require nutrition services. Are you among the weight watchers who need assistance with a custom weight loss program, plant-based diet or vegan diet? Maybe you need nutrition advice regarding the best sources of folic acid, vitamin C and essential amino acids.
Your preference for receiving clinical nutrition advice, whether it's about achieving your ideal body size or what healthy foods should constitute your diet, should also be considered when choosing your nutritionist. If you prefer to discuss the nutritional needs of the human body from the comfort of your own home rather than in a face-to-face setting, an online nutritionist may be more suitable for you.
Knowing exactly what you want to achieve will lead you to the doorstep of a nutrition professional who fits the bill.
Find someone you like
You'll also want to ensure you gel with your nutritionist. Some practitioners are more direct, while others take a gentler approach. For that reason, you might prefer to find a nutritionist who complements your personality and helps you feel comfortable exploring healthy dietary sources – without feeling judged or left bamboozled.
Ready to start your search? Find a qualified nutritionist near your area.
Originally published on Feb 28, 2018
