By now, we all know that registered dietitians are considered the experts when it comes to healthy eating and weight management for ourselves and our families. That being said, it’s important to remember that meeting our daily nutritional requirements impacts so much more than our weight. Whether you’ve put on a few pounds and want to lose them, are experiencing digestive issues, are thinking of becoming pregnant, or just want to help your loved ones eat smarter, if you’ve got a nutrition-related question, a registered dietitian has the answer.
The American Dietetic Association (soon to be the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics) has compiled a list of reasons that consumers can benefit from a visit with an RD. If any of these apply to you or your family, visit www.eatright.org to locate a dietitian in your area and make an appointment!
1. You have diabetes, cardiovascular problems, or high blood pressure. An RD can help you design an eating plan tailored specifically to these medical conditions without sacrificing taste or nutrition.
2. You are thinking of having or have had gastric bypass surgery. Since your stomach can only handle small servings, it can be a challenge to get the nutrients you need. An RD can work with your physician to develop an eating plan suited to your new requirements.
3. You have digestive problems. A registered dietitian can work with your physician to fine-tune your eating plan and avoid aggravating your condition with fried foods, too much caffeine or carbonation.
4. You’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant. A registered dietitian can help make sure you get important nutrients like folate, which is crucial during the first three months of pregnancy, lowering your newborn’s risk of neural tube or spinal cord defects.
5. You need guidance and confidence for breastfeeding your baby. A registered dietitian can guide you in making sure you get enough iron, vitamin D, fluoride, and B vitamins for you and your bundle of joy.
6. Your teenager has issues with food and eating healthfully. A registered dietitian is often an integral part of the treatment of eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating.
7. You need to gain or lose weight. A registered dietitian can suggest nutrient-dense calorie sources for healthy weight gain, or a reduced-calorie eating plan plus regular physical activity for weight loss without sacrificing your favorite foods.
8. You’re caring for an aging parent. A registered dietitian can assist with food or drug interaction, proper hydration, special diets for hypertension, or changing tastebuds as you age.
9. You want to eat smarter. A registered dietitian can distinguish nutrition facts from fiction and teach you how to read labels, cook healthy meals on a budget, and navigate eating out and workplace temptations to make sure you stay on track.
10. You want to improve your performance in sports. A registered dietitian can work with you to set goals to achieve the results you want – whether you’re running a marathon, trying to build or preserve muscle mass, or making time for a walk with your kids each day.
Source: www.eatright.org "Top 10 Reasons"
