Dietitians are the gurus behind nutrition and wellbeing – deciphering the science behind food and educating their clients on making smarter and healthier choices to suit their individual needs. Each person is different and therefore not one singular food plan will suit everyone.
The dietitian’s job is to create bespoke diet plans and educate clients on nutritional advice to either aid in weight loss or prevent/improve health risks.
If this has piqued your interest, then read on to find out more benefits of working with a dietitian.
Experts in Nutrition
It goes without saying that dietitians know what they are talking about when it comes to food and nutrition. In order to become a dietitian, individuals have to complete (at a minimum) a BSc Hons in Dietetics, and continue education/research throughout their career as a professional – ensuring to stay abreast of the newest nutrition evidence and information.
Therefore, it is safe to say you are in good hands, they have plenty of expert dieting tips too!
Professional and Safe
Their expertise comes from studying the fields of biochemistry, physiology and applied sciences; which highlights sustenance and dietetics. During the course of their studies, dietitians must display clinical and proficient capability before being eligible to move into the profession.
While many people claim to be nutritionists, it is worth noting that being a dietitian is the only profession within that field which is regulated by law and governed by an ethical code to ensure the highest standards.
By adhering to their code of ethics, means that their work will always meet the highest standard. Knowing this information should fill individuals with confidence that no matter which dietitian you work with; they are guaranteed to follow professional, safe and scientific-lead practises.
Tailor-made diet plans
Each individual is different and areas of concern will vary from person to person. Whether it’s for physical reasons or psychological, motivations for working with a dietitian will differ each time. With that being said, so many factors contribute to a person’s nutritional needs; some examples of these can be found below:
- Age
- Chronic diseases such as Diabetes
- Gender
- Height
- Weight
- Eating disorders
- And the list goes on…
Dietitians are able to take on-board all health factors concerning an individual. Coupling this with their knowledge of nutrition means that they are able to form a tailor-made diet plan to suit your specific needs.
Support/Motivation
Often, the biggest roadblock to leading a healthier lifestyle lies with lack of motivation and support. Without an accountability partner, it is easy to slip back into old habits and fall off the wagon when it comes to making sensible choices. Dietitians act as a huge support system for anybody on a weight management journey. While friends and family will typically offer support, it is best to have an expert in the field to help you navigate through the highs and lows that you may come to experience.
As well as being able to offer scientific and evidence-based advice to you, dietitians are there for emotional support too. Taking the step to lead a healthier lifestyle can be daunting and people should expect change. While some welcome change, for those people who struggle with this will have the support they need from an expert; who can put a plan in place to make the journey achievable and attainable.
The Takeaway
As we have established, working with a dietitian comes with its many benefits and can be life-changing. While you may be someone with no underlying health conditions, it is still worth attending regular health screenings by your GP. Another useful metric to check is your BMI (body mass index). This can determine whether your body mass is within a healthy range; and no trip to the GP is necessary.
Make this year the year you achieve your goals
Check your BMI and Healthy goal weight
A good way to check if you are a healthy weight is to use the Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculator.