What to Ask a
Dietitian
Here are some ideas on
what to ask a dietitian and how to get started on looking for one. I
wrote down my ideas and other people added their suggestions when I
asked for help. I hope the list is helpful to anyone who is
"shopping" for one!
~Astrophe
Just Looking
- try the ADA finder
on-line
- Call your current
docs/family/friends for their suggestions
The Dietitian In
General
What specialty do you
need? You did know that dietitians also have specialties? Just like
doctors? Check it out:
- Group Counseling
- Individual
Counseling
- Programs/Workshops
- Allergies
- Cardiovascular/Hypertension
- Digestive Disorders
- Diabetes
- Eating Disorders
- Gerontology
- Home Health
- HIV/AIDS
- Maternal Nutrition
- General
Nutrition/Wellness
- Oncology
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Renal
- Sports Nutrition
- Vegetarian
- Weight Control
What is his/her
philosophy on diets?
What is his/her
philosophy on food and health in general?
Does it jive with my
philosophies? Do we have a good rapport? Do I feel like I could ask
anything?
Is he/she accessible?
Do they have e-mail, so
that you can send questions between visits?
Is it hard to make an
appointment?
Do I have to wait for
hours in the waiting room?
Is she/he going to hold
me accountable if I like structure? Will they give me
"assignments" to complete and return?
Will he/she have
reasonable expectations about the time and money I can devote to
this?
Are they willing to
work with your eating structure, or will they expect you to
adopt their system fully?
Are they more concerned
with health or weight loss?
What are their
credentials? Do they offer a client list you can call for character
references?
Do they have group or
individual consults and do they also work with body image?
Will this dietitian
take you through the future? Like general nutrition plus pediatric
nutrition only or maternal/pregnancy stuff?
First Few Visits
Talk about their
approach, get to know them
Be ready to provide
them with the following:
- medical chart
- medical family
history
- exercise log
- food log, more
detailed the better!
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