If you're trying to lose weight, a nutritionist can do for your diet what a physical trainer does for your body: help you get it into shape. A clinical nutritionist will help you evaluate your current diet with your weight-loss goals and health needs in mind, then make the changes you need to achieve the results you want, including learning how to adjust bad dietary habits you may have developed over the years, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Step 1
Put together a detailed record of your family's health history as well as your personal health history. Your nutritionist will need these details to help you make the right eating plan.
Step 2
Explain your weight-loss goals to your nutritionist so she can steer you in the right direction. If you're trying to lose a lot of weight, she may suggest a different eating plan than if you just want to lose a few pounds.
Step 3
Keep a food diary for at least a few days before your first meeting, recommends nutritionist Rovenia Brock, author of the book, "Dr. Ro's Ten Secrets to Livin' Healthy," in "O, The Oprah Magazine." Be vigilant about writing down everything you eat so that your nutritionist has a clear idea of your current eating habits.
Step 4
Follow your nutritionist's advice for minimum calorie count, and don't be tempted to drop lower, cautions Brock. Getting too few calories per day can put your body in famine mode, which actually makes it hold on to existing fat stores.
Step 5
Ask your nutritionist to help you understand the information on nutrition labels so that you can make smart choices when you need to, recommends the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Step 6
Talk about the fitness component of your weight-loss plan with your nutritionist so that she can determine how many calories you need each day to maintain your fitness level.
Step 7
Be honest with your nutritionist about dietary challenges. If you love your coffee with cream and sugar in the morning and aren't willing to give it up, instead of cheating, talk to your nutritionist about alternate ways to cut calories.
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