Are you thinking about seeing a dietitian?

Let's face it, most of us have a lot on our plates. When it comes to the demands of work, friends and family, it can be difficult to find the time to eat right and assure we choose the best foods to fuel our daily activities. As a result, today more than ever, people are turning to registered dietitians to help them navigate the ins and outs of nutritious eating and adopting a healthier lifestyle. Is a dietitian right for you?

What is a dietitian?
According to the Dietitians of Canada (www.dietitians.ca), an organization representing professional dietitians nation-wide, dietitians are practitioners who have met the national standards for education and training and who are members of their provincial regulatory body.

From hospitals to fitness centres, schools to private practice, the recent trend toward healthier living and eating practices means dietitians are now found in a full spectrum of workplaces, and can be an integral part of your healthcare team.

With specialized training in the nutritional management of clinical conditions, as well as in health promotion and disease prevention, they are able to offer you advice on healthy food choices, common diet pitfalls and how you can maintain a fit and healthy lifestyle.

Who needs a dietitian?
For many people, a visit to the dietitian comes at the urging of their family physician who believes they will benefit from one-on-one counselling and individualized diet plans a specialist can offer.

"My clients often come see me on the advice of their family doctor, or after they've tried all the fad diets and realize they need a more long-term solution," says registered dietitian and nutrition consultant Sari Grossman. "Although the most common reason clients seek me out is for weight loss, these clients often have conditions such as high blood sugars or high cholesterol that, with the weight loss, improve or even disappear."

She says that she sees clients of all ages, but most are men and women between the ages of 40 to 60 years old who seek advice on how to manage emerging health problems and implement healthy eating habits.

"I think more than ever people are busy – balancing careers, families, but forgetting to take care of themselves," she says. "As a result, stress, a lack of exercise and poor diet catch up with them around this age and health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure tend to surface."

Page 1 of 2 – on page 2, learn about finding the right dietitian.