5 Reasons to Work with an Integrative Dietitian Nutritionist

Nutrition is a tricky subject.  It’s one of those topics where everyone has an opinion or a sister/cousin/brother who swears by a specific diet.  There is a new headline out each day praising a new superfood or villainizing a macronutrient.  And while I commend people for trying to take control of their health and do their own research, there also comes a time when guidance and expertise are necessary.  Nutrition is a tricky subject.  It’s one of those topics where everyone has an opinion or a sister/cousin/brother who swears by a specific diet.  There is a new headline out each day praising a new superfood or villainizing a macronutrient.  And while I commend people for trying to take control of their health and do their own research, there also comes a time when guidance and expertise are necessary. 

I often end up working with clients who feel they have tried EVERYTHING before seeking out my help.  After hearing so many of these stories here are my top reasons or signs that it is time to seek out that extra support and take the burden off your shoulders:

1. You’ve googled elimination diets until your eyes are blurry.  You’ve tried eliminating gluten, eggs, soy, lectins, grains, nightshades, meat, salicylates until you essentially have nothing left to eat.  And you still don’t feel better. 
2. You are taking a laundry list of supplements, some from practitioners you met with at least five years ago and you don’t even know why you are taking half of them.  And you still don’t feel better.
3. You have been told you have IBS, that there is little you can do with your diet that will make a difference by a well-meaning but poorly informed doctor.  And you still don’t feel better.
4. You are constipated and have been told that it’s “normal for your body” to only have a bowel movement 2-3 times a week (hint: it’s not).  And you still don’t feel better.
5. You think you know what to do but for some reason something stops you from making the healthy changes to get you feeling your best.  And you still don’t feel better.

Sense a pattern here?  Call me biased but as an integrative dietitian (and just a person!) I don’t want you to waste anymore time not feeling well.  If any of the above sounds like you it may be time to ask for help.  You will still have to do the work, but you will have someone guiding you along the way.  It's also okay to interview a few practitioners to make sure they will be a good fit for you.  While no one can guarantee perfect results, a phone conversation can help you understand a dietitian's (or any practitioner's) philosophy and give you an initial intuitive sense of how they practice.

As always please reach out if you have any questions.  See you back here soon!