Weight loss is most commonly what people think of when they think of what a nutritionist does. Helping people lose weight is absolutely something we see as a nutritionist however it definitely is not the only reason you can see one! Below I will describe ten reasons you can see a nutritionist that does not include weight loss.
1. Digestive issues
A nutritionist can help you target the reason you are having digestive issues and come up with a plan customized to you and your specific eating habits.
2. Food allergies
Seeing someone like a nutritionist when you have just been diagnosed with a food allergy can help it become a less overwhelming experience. We are able to sit down and help you come up with recipes that are catered to foods that you enjoy, go through tricky foods that may have your allergen secretly in them, etc.
3. Skin concerns
Skin concerns can of course be helped topically (cleansers, toners, treatments, etc) but a lot of the time our skin concerns can be very closely linked with our gut. Whether it is our hormones are thrown off balance, we have added inflammation going on, etc. For skin concerns we go through exactly when you have breakouts, what our breakouts look like, and where they are prominently located to pin point what we can start to do to help it out!
4. Mood disturbances
This one is fine line between being able to help with what we put into our bodies and mood disturbances related to trauma. This does not mean that changing eating habits will cure mental disorders, however sometimes mood disturbances can be caused by a shift in our hormones, our gut being inflamed,vitamin or mineral deficiencies, etc. So we can work to see if any of these are a factor and come up with a plan to help.
5. Meal planning
This can seem simple but at the same time it can be a very overwhelming thing. It sets yourself up for the week but coming up with recipes, the right amount of food for you and your goals, and so on.
6. Abnormal lab values
This is something more straightforward. If you are told by your doctor that there are some abnormal lab values in your blood work that is something we will take into consideration and actively work to get back to a more normal value. Whether it is limiting certain types of food, or making sure we add certain types of food. It will all be catered to you and what needs to be worked on.
7.Disordered eating
This is another one that is a fine line of what the extent of the disordered eating you are at. If it is severe we will be able to refer you to other avenues to work through it in a safe setting. However if it is not too severe we can work on strategies to help you have a better relationship with food.
8. Athletic performance
Nutrition for athletic performance is a little bit different than general nutrition. With a nutritionist we can get you ready for peak performance whether it is for competition, a marathon, whatever sport you are involved in. We will ensure that you are eating the right amounts and the right kinds of food to get you to that peak performance.
9. Improving overall health
Sometimes we do not have abnormal lab values, disordered eating habits, but we overall have been feeling off whether that be sluggish, fatigued, just overall not feeling like our best selves. A nutritionist can help get you back on track and help you feeling like your best self again.
10. Improve your relationship with food
Lastly, this one almost goes hand in hand with number seven, but sometimes we may not have disordered eating per say but overall would like to develop a better relationship with food. We can go through strategies that are customized for you and your lifestyle to help with that.
So as you can see even though weight loss will still be the main thing people think of when they think of seeing a nutritionist, it is so much more than that. If any of these apply to you, don't hesitate to reach out and see how I can help you!
Right now all counseling will be done online so we can all stay safe, but you can absolutely make a positive change in your health during this time!
Stay safe everyone!
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