If you are trying to lose weight, gain weight or deal with a chronic or unexpected illness, hiring a nutritionist may be an option to help you get the most nutrients out of the foods you eat. Nutritionists can help you prepare menus and meals that are full of the nutrients you need for your specific situation. They will also work hand-in-hand with your physician to make sure the foods you eat will not undermine any medications or treatments.
Qualified
Before hiring anyone to help with health matters, make sure she is qualified. Many states have a certification program that applicants must pass before going into practice. These certification programs require a degree or certain amount of credits from a qualified college or school in the area of nutrition, health and dietary studies. A nutritionist must also have some on-the-job training in the field, sometimes as much as 1,000 hours. Many states also require a certain number of hours of continuing education every year.
Knowledgeable
Just because a person graduates from college or receives his certification does not mean he is qualified or able to use the information to help others. If he is being hired for a specific reason and is reputable, he should be able to provide a list of credentials and achievements. Ask questions. Does he offer information that is easy to understand? Is he willing to work with your primary physician to develop a nutritional program that caters to the needs of the individual? Most doctors will want to consult on or approve dietary programs of their patients if they are being created for a specific purpose.
Easy to Understand
A qualified and knowledgeable nutritionist should be able to discuss diet and nutrition in easy to understand terms. She should be able to create a meal plan and dietary program that fulfills the needs and requirements that are specific to the situation. She should also be able to explain what her program contains and why certain things are necessary. In developing diets for particular conditions, certain foods should be avoided or eliminated completely. A nutritionist should be able to explain what these foods do and why they should be excluded from the diet. Many times substitutes can be offered in place of these foods.
Accessible
A qualified nutritionist should be accessible to clients and their physicians. A client and his physician should be able to contact the nutritionist at reasonable hours to make appointments or discuss issues. If messages are left, they should be responded to promptly. The rates should be reasonable and affordable to ensure a client is able to afford his services for an extended amount of time. Dietary programs may need to be adjusted over several months according to the progression of an illness.
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