I hear it a lot, people hesitating to spend the money to talk to someone about their nutrition. People jumping on the newest diet bandwagon or shelling out tons of money for some powder or shake that “promises” results and health. So, why see the dietitian?
First, those shakes that promise changes? They also stipulate that you need to take on an exercise program and change your eating habits. Will that shake in the morning instead of no breakfast or a doughnut and a Frappuccino be an improvement? Definitely, but that’s simply because of what it is in comparison to the previous choice. If you’re already eating a healthy breakfast, the shake isn’t going to make the difference.
My biggest frustration is watching people spend money on things instead of on skills and knowledge. I became a nutritionist because I wanted to empower people to make better health choices and feel confident in their ability to live a healthy, happy life. Yes, an initial session and follow-ups may cost more up front, but in the long term, you are investing in your health and your knowledge base. You are developing the skills that will help you lead a healthy life that can be applied for years and years to come. Skills that you can apply to your spouse’s health, your children’s, your friends, your family.
When asked why I wanted to become a nutritionist early on in my education, I responded that it was my goal to educate people such that one day, my job would be obsolete, because I would have helped each client develop the skills to be self-sufficient when it came to nutrition, knowledge they could then pass down and teach to others, creating a generation of informed, empowered individuals for whom good nutrition was second nature.
The tricky thing, that seems to frustrate most clients, is that there is no “magic” answer. The medical community doesn’t know the “secret” to instant, lasting weight loss. There isn’t some one food or one diet that is going to spell success. Just like there isn’t some magic exercise that will give you perfect abs or a sculpted backside. A shake is appealing for its suggested instant gratification. But, that’s just not a reality for lasting, ongoing weight loss and wellness. A nutritionist can help you find ways to create new habits and patterns for your nutrition so that you have a sustainable, enjoyable approach to eating. The goal is not to just “lose” the weight; it’s to because a healthier version of yourself, not just for this week or this month, but for the rest of your life.
My biggest frustration is watching people spend money on things instead of on skills and knowledge. I became a nutritionist because I wanted to empower people to make better health choices and feel confident in their ability to live a healthy, happy life. Yes, an initial session and follow-ups may cost more up front, but in the long term, you are investing in your health and your knowledge base. You are developing the skills that will help you lead a healthy life that can be applied for years and years to come. Skills that you can apply to your spouse’s health, your children’s, your friends, your family.
When asked why I wanted to become a nutritionist early on in my education, I responded that it was my goal to educate people such that one day, my job would be obsolete, because I would have helped each client develop the skills to be self-sufficient when it came to nutrition, knowledge they could then pass down and teach to others, creating a generation of informed, empowered individuals for whom good nutrition was second nature.
The tricky thing, that seems to frustrate most clients, is that there is no “magic” answer. The medical community doesn’t know the “secret” to instant, lasting weight loss. There isn’t some one food or one diet that is going to spell success. Just like there isn’t some magic exercise that will give you perfect abs or a sculpted backside. A shake is appealing for its suggested instant gratification. But, that’s just not a reality for lasting, ongoing weight loss and wellness. A nutritionist can help you find ways to create new habits and patterns for your nutrition so that you have a sustainable, enjoyable approach to eating. The goal is not to just “lose” the weight; it’s to because a healthier version of yourself, not just for this week or this month, but for the rest of your life.