Top 10 Reasons to See a Nutritionist
Hello everyone! I’m thrilled to join the NaturoMedica team as your nutritionist. I want to take this opportunity to tell you about my role at NaturoMedica and how I can serve those of you who trust the NaturoMedica team with your healthcare.
Thankfully, in the 21st century, we are no longer passive observers of our healthcare. Gone are the days of “take two pills and call me in the morning”. We are now co-pilots in our quest for optimal health. We are engaged, informed and empowered. We utilize every tool at our disposal to find healing. I see nutrition as being one of those tools.
I’ve dedicated my life to finding joy in feeding people and helping them understand how food affects them and enables them to function at the top of their game. My goal is to help you find a healthy and effective strategy to utilize food to heal and nourish your body.
I can assist your doctor in carrying out the plan they developed for you. To do that, we discuss your lifestyle, eating habits and will use this information to put together and ideal meal plan for you. This will include strategies for preparing food for your family and dealing with special events like socializing and traveling.
People often ask me if they should seek out advice from a nutritionist. For most of you, the answer is a resounding yes! Here are my top 10 reasons that you should see a nutritionist.
1. Food allergy testing followed by an elimination diet:
Food allergy/sensitivity testing is a great tool to help you identify the foods that may be causing inflammation or symptoms of disease. Oftentimes when people see their test results their heart sinks because a lot of their favorite foods are on the list.
I can help you make sense of the results of your food sensitivity testing and help you identify foods that trigger inflammatory reactions. Following an elimination diet my guidance can help you make dietary changes in a simple way.
2. Digestive Issues:
Diarrhea, constipation, irregular bowel movements, heartburn and acid reflux are common symptoms of digestive disturbance and are often diagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Perhaps you have been living with some of these symptoms thinking that this is just the way your body digests food normally.
I can help you better understand your digestive process and improve your well- being by helping you identify the root cause of your discomfort. I can help you come up with a well-balanced meal plan that includes the foods that your body can tolerate.
3. Weight Management:
Have you struggled with your weight for a long time? Perhaps you have tried many diets and ended up frustrated because the weight comes back. I can help! Weight management is more than calories in and calories out. Together with your doctor, I can help you get to the bottom of your weight issues, as they relate to your family history, hormone levels, lifestyle and genetic factors.
I can develop an individualized meal plan and lifestyle program for you. The goal is to help you achieve your weight management goals in a safe, gradual, and manageable way.
4. Abnormal Lab Values:
As a nutritionist, I am trained to help you assess your dietary intake as it relates to the effects of food on your body. Abnormal blood tests like glucose, iron, cholesterol or thyroid function, may show you how the body is reacting to what you are eating or to your lifestyle choices.
By carefully looking at your food and lifestyle, I can make suggestions on how to get your labs back to a normal range. This, in turn, will decrease your risk of developing chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or autoimmune conditions.
5. Mood Disorders:
Studies in the last few years have confirmed what we already suspected: There is a clear connection between the body and the mind. When we are living in the "fight or flight" mode we secrete more adrenaline and cortisol. We also know that exercise helps us get to a peaceful state by burning off the stress hormones. We also recognize the beneficial effect of a restful night's sleep on the body and the positive calming effect of love and support. Just like sleep, exercise and connection can help us feel calmer. Good nutrition is a key tool in the armamentarium your doctor uses to restore you health.
If you are experiencing a mood disorder like depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism or other mental health conditions, a carefully thought out food plan can make a huge difference.
6. Fertility Issues or Planning a Pregnancy:
Meeting with a nutritionist can be helpful to optimize your health throughout conception, pregnancy and birth. I can provide guidance with nourishing meal plans that will enhance your health and the health of your child. This is an excellent time to ensure you and your child have all the necessary nutrients for optimal growth and development.
7. Eating Disorders and “Picky Eaters”:
After a diagnosis of an eating disorder, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and unable to cope. At this difficult time, it is crucial to meet with a professional who can walk with you hand in hand as you recover and help restore your health. An eating disorder can have many faces, such as bulimia or anorexia nervosa or "disordered eating" where a person chooses to eat only certain foods with specific colors or textures. For example, this can be seen in children who have difficulties with new tastes and textures and are described by parents as "picky eaters."
I can assist you as you navigate this road, by providing you with ideas on how to deal with the transition back to a regular whole foods diet. I can also help you feel empowered to develop a healthy relationship with food.
8. Meal Planning:
I can be a key player on your team if you are looking to improve your diet and learn how to apply the principles of an eating plan, such as Paleo, Mediterranean, Ketogenic, GAPS, FODMAP, vegan, Wahl's Protocol or any other special diet. The internet is full of advice, but it is difficult to discern what is a fad diet vs following a diet based on scientific principles. I can help you walk this road and provide you with sound nutrition information.
9. Athletic Performance:
Athletes who need a competitive edge or would like to boost their performance should focus on nutrition intake. The amount of energy, macro and micro nutrients as well as meal timing can make a big difference in performance. Allow me to analyze your food intake and provide you with an eating program tailored to your athletic and lifestyle needs.
10. Desire to Improve Current Eating Habits:
Every special diet has an impact on your health. Switching from a regular diet to a vegan diet doesn't necessarily mean you will be healthier. A vegan diet may be healthier than the Standard American Diet (SAD), but only if planned according to your nutritional needs. Otherwise it may lack key nutrients that could lead to nutritional deficiencies. I can help you navigate the challenges associated with special diets when you eat out, travel and socialize.
No matter what your nutritional needs or health goals are, as your nutritionist I can help you create a meal plan that will work for you. The power of a healthy diet can be life changing.
I look forward to meeting you and walking alongside you on your journey to complete health. One thing I can tell you is that when you find the perfect nourishment for your body, you will feel so alive and so clear that nothing will taste as good as how you feel. My philosophy is that food is medicine and it can help you live your life to the fullest. I want to help you explore and learn different ways to utilize food in your health journey. Together we will find the best food that would do the most good for your body and your health condition.
Mention that you read this blog and you will receive your first one hour nutrition visit with me for $69. This is an excellent way to find out if you can benefit from seeing a nutritionist.
