What Does a Registered Dietitian Do?

Discover How These Experts in Nutrition Can Help You Build Healthy Eating Habits

If you’ve ever attended our classes here at Restoring Bodies, or participated in one of our monthly events, then you probably know we’re owned and operated by a phenomenal registered dietitian, Tammie Brown. But have you ever wondered what Tammie does as a dietitian? 

We sat down with her to discover what dietitians do and how they can support your health and wellness goals. It’s so much more than telling you what not to eat!

 

What Is a Registered Dietitian? 

A registered dietitian is a health professional who has undergone rigorous training in the science and psychology of nutrition. Additionally, they are trained in Medical Nutrition Therapy, which is specialized training in how food affects the body. 

 

Sometimes the terms “nutritionist” and “registered dietitian” are used interchangeably, but it is important to know they are different. A registered dietitian has met the strict education and training requirements set by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.

 

How Do Registered Dietitians Help You? 

If you have ever struggled to lose weight or found it difficult to adjust your eating habits because of a health condition, a registered dietitian can help. They are trained to support you in managing your health through food and will educate you on how to use food in a way that works with your body. This is important since each person’s body is different and will respond differently to certain foods. 

 

Tammie says, “If we see you’re not responding, we will reassess and try a different approach. In some cases, we may need to refer you to another specialist so that we have a clearer picture of what is happening. We do that because we are not doctors. It is not our place to diagnose you with specific health conditions.” 

 

Some common reasons you may need the help of a dietitian: 

• You have certain allergies or sensitivities that restrict certain foods or ingredients from your diet.
• You have a health condition such as diabetes, kidney disease, high blood pressure that requires you to approach food differently.
• You have a chronic disease such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis where diet and nutrition may help you manage symptoms and reduce inflammation.
• You are having difficulty losing weight.
• You want to eat healthier but don’t know where to start.

 

In each of these instances, a dietitian can not only design a personalized eating plan to help you address these situations in a way that’s sustainable for you long-term, but also equip you with the knowledge you need to make practical, healthy food choices. 

 

Tammie explains, “As registered dietitians, we teach you how to create balanced meals and how to read labels. We educate you and give you practical solutions to help you build good eating habits.”

 

One thing to keep in mind: since dietitians specialize in certain areas (for instance, pediatrics, gerontology, or eating disorders), it is important to ask if they have experience with your specific health condition or goal. 

  

How Registered Dietitians Work with Your Medical Provider

 

Registered dietitians work with your current healthcare team to ensure there is a holistic approach to your health. One way they do this is by alerting your medical provider when medications may be interfering with your eating habits. Tammie shares an example of this from her own professional experience: 

 

“I had a client once who was on weight loss medicine and her provider had increased her dosage. During one of our meetings, she shared with me that she didn’t have much of an appetite and only ate once a day. I knew she had Type 2 diabetes, which meant she needs ongoing carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats. She needed to eat consistently throughout the day to keep their levels up. One meal a day wasn’t going to be enough. 

 

I knew they needed to reduce her dosage so that she could have an appropriate appetite, but I’m not allowed to tell my client they need to reduce her dosage. That’s out of my scope of practice. However, I can reach back out to her primary care manager or the primary care physician and say, ‘hey, this person is supposed to have 1,700 calories per day, but they are eating 200 calories per day. They're not going to get the proper vitamins and minerals they need, and that's dangerous for them.’ It’s a collaboration with the doctors.” 

Are Registered Dietitians Covered by Insurance? 

The short answer is: yes. Your health insurance usually allows for preventative services each year. It could be at no cost or a very low cost. When you go through your insurance, your primary care manager must give you a referral. You can also self-pay if you would rather not go through your insurance or do not want to obtain a referral.

 

What to Expect at Your First Appointment with a Registered Dietitian  

Your first appointment will usually involve an assessment based on your diagnosis or reason for meeting with the dietitian. They will also review your labs and any medications you may be currently taking. It is important for you to report all your medications because certain foods do not interact well with certain medications and could be life threatening.

 

After the initial assessment, your dietitian will discuss your health goals and begin designing a meal plan to help you reach these goals. You may even receive a little “homework,” like keeping a food journal for a week to track your meals. At the next appointment, the dietitian will typically review this journal with you and begin guiding you on how to adjust your diet.

 

How to Get the Most Out of Your Visit 

When it comes to successful nutrition counseling, Tammie offers two tips:

“First, you have to come wanting to change and wanting to apply what you learn. Second, keep in mind, dietitians don’t have a magic wand; everything depends on you and your willingness to do the work.”

Conclusion

Dietitians are your partners in helping you reach your health and wellness goals. Whether you are trying to lose a few pounds, maintain the pounds you have, or adjust your eating habits due to a health condition, dietitians can make the world of food and nutrition a little less intimidating and much easier to follow than you may have thought.

If you’d like to consult with Tammie about your nutrition, you can either go through your insurance, which typically allows for preventative services every year, or you can contact Restoring Bodies Fitness and Nutrition Services directly and self-pay. 

Call 256-858-1344 to schedule an appointment. 

Register for a class today: https://momence.com/u/restoring-bodies-fitness-&-nutrition-services-htyzkc