Can a Dietitian Help You Lose Weight? What should you expect? Should you see a dietitian or a nutritionist?

In the New Year, it’s not uncommon to want to get healthier and lose those extra pounds. In fact, weight loss is a top resolution.

How do you lose weight?

Weight loss can be made very complicated, but this is unnecessary and counterproductive. Weight change is simply the result of an energy/calorie equation.  In other words, calories in, calories out. To lose weight is simple (though not necessarily easy): energy intake needs to be less than energy expended. The same applies to weight gain, as I explained in a previous blog. Weight gain occurs when you eat more calories than you utilize/burn.

Secondly, and very important, is to learn how to attain and sustain your optimal weight. Loss without a maintenance strategy results in weight cycling, which often ends in a higher weight than previously established.

There is no “one size fits all” solution to permanent healthy weight loss. There are no special diets, no tricks, no shortcuts. Restriction of any food or group of foods, special diets, or fad diets are based on junk science.

What to expect at your appointment with a dietitian.

During your initial meeting, you should expect an evaluation of your current food plan and lifestyle to determine your specific issues that prevent weight loss. Then you should receive an explanation of the problems as well as affirmation of what you do well.

The next step is for the dietitian, a specialist in weight loss, to develop a plan.  Each step during the process must be individualized if you are going to establish a healthy and enjoyable plan to attain and sustain your optimal weight.

How do I choose a dietitian for weight loss?

As to who you should work with, a nutritionist or dietitian, should be selected the same way you select any professional – making sure they are credentialed by the governing national organization and the state.

It is unfortunate that anyone can call themselves a nutritionist. They apply their interest in diet or nutrition to anything from running a food blog to working with clients. But only someone who has one of the following recognized credentials RD, RDN, CNS, CNBC can provide evidence-based medical nutrition therapy and nutritional counseling tailored to meet an individual’s needs.

Reaching and maintaining weight loss and wellness goals with the help of a dietitian is achievable. I look forward to working with you!