What does a Dietitian do?

When I first became a dietitian, my friends and family would often ask what dietitians do. Do they just recite the Food Guide?  Well the answer is, no, I do not recite, or often use, the Food Guide. What I do with clients really depends on their unique needs. For example, if I’m working with an elite athlete, they may want to have a prescribed nutrition plan, knowing exactly the number of grams of carbohydrate, protein, and fat needed to optimize their performance. If on the other hand I’m working with an individual who is working on being more intuitive with their eating, I would work with them to identify their physiological cues and food rules and myths that might be sabotaging their success. Some of my job is certainly evaluating the healthfulness of someone’s nutrition. But a lot of what I do is grounded in counselling techniques such as motivational interviewing and goal setting. My role is often one of a coach, determining what’s currently working with them, and what’s working against them and supporting them on their path to success.  I love my job because I have the opportunity to help people achieve health and nutrition goals that they often think are out of their reach.

Research shows that 95% of commercial diets don’t work in the long-term. That’s because they often take a one-size-fits-all approach to eating. Dietitians have training in food and nutrition and are considered the experts in giving dietary advice.  In addition to nutrition training, my degree in kinesiology and psychology sets me apart as more than a dietitian; it allows me to provide both accurate diet AND exercise recommendations. With over 8 years of education in nutrition, psychology and kinesiology, I can work with you one-on-one to:

• Develop a meal plan. Your meals can be tailored to address your personal goals or specific health concerns, such as weight loss or gain, sports nutrition, diabetes, high blood cholesterol, celiac disease, pregnancy, or feeding a growing family.
• Set realistic goals. With my help, you’ll know your targets are achievable, and you’ll have someone to monitor your progress.
• Determine nutrient adequacy. I can analyze your diet and supplement use to see where you might be getting too much or too little of your required nutrients.
• Dispel myths. You can count on getting the right, most up-to-date information about nutrition and exercise.
• Get practical advice that works for your particular lifestyle. I design my recommendations based on your particular needs and goals. You’ll get tips about what and how much to eat, vitamins and minerals, and eating on the run — all designed to suit your lifestyle.

What to expect

In your first appointment, I will get to know more about you — your eating and exercise habits, your lifestyle, your medical history, your food likes and dislikes and your overall nutrition and health goals. Based on that information, you’ll get personalized recommendations to help you achieve your goals. I will be available to meet with you on an ongoing basis to monitor your progress and fine-tune your meal plan if needed. Studies show that those clients who meet regularly with their dietitian are the ones who not only reach their health goals, but sustain those changes long-term.

For a summary of services, see below: