Disappointed with Dietitian appt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to a dietician/nutritionist at a hospital about 6 months ago. I have a lot more than 12 pounds to lose. She told me I "needed to make some changes" and "needed to eat more vegetables" (i.e., nothing that I didn't already know). I was hoping for a little more help in making those changes and incorporating more vegetables.

What sort of help making changes were you expecting? Meal planning help? Life hacks? I’m not trying to be critical, I’m genuinely curious. Because if those are the sorts of things you want, I bet you can find a site or an app that helps with them, or could post in the food thread here for recipes.

I’m not in DC so I can’t recommend, but the things my RD helped me with to lose weight involved changing my habits as well as changing my diet. Things like only eating at the table, no tv or distractions, how long meals should last, putting my fork down between bites so I can chew food very well. Basically how to make a meal last long enough that my body can feel full but not so long I’d get bored and have seconds. I also worked with a psychologist to get to the root of some of my food issues and help break the emotional eating cycle. One of the biggest things is to keep my hands busy so I’m not reaching for food to stuff my face, and to only eat at scheduled mealtimes so my brain doesn’t start expecting food rewards at random times.

[Anonymous]

Dietitians and nutritionists have eating disorders often. It is easier to talk about eating healthy than it is to do it.

[Anonymous]

I studied nutrition because I was a heavy child and wanted to learn how to be healthy and manage my weight in a positive way.

I worked in the field because I wanted to help other people navigate all the science and figure out what’s good for their bodies.

I quit working in the field of nutrition because everyone thought I was judging them (I wasn’t) and they constantly judged me for what I was eating and what my body looked like.

Maybe she just had a baby? Maybe she has thyroid issues? Maybe she knows exactly how to lose weight but has emotional eating issues. You could learn from her.

But please don’t back to her, find someone else, because you’ve already made judgments and that’s not fair to HER.

[Anonymous]

I am seeing a weight loss doctor and the nutritionist in her office has give n me a very specific eating plan (which I'm struggling with TBH-low carb vegetarian ugh). She also gave me very specific product suggestions, e.g., buy this kind of yogurt, buy this kind of protein shake. I found it helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People who work in the field of nutrition overwhelmingly have eating disorders themselves.

this has been my observation and I work with a lot of RDs in my job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to a dietician/nutritionist at a hospital about 6 months ago. I have a lot more than 12 pounds to lose. She told me I "needed to make some changes" and "needed to eat more vegetables" (i.e., nothing that I didn't already know). I was hoping for a little more help in making those changes and incorporating more vegetables.

What, exactly, do you want another person to do for you that you aren't willing to do for yourself?

I'm a dietitian and it's hard to help people who are "hoping for a little more help in making those changes." She can't go home with you and prepare your meals for you, PP, and then force you to eat them.

I'm the PP you're quoting. I was hoping for something more along the lines of this:

Anonymous wrote:I am seeing a weight loss doctor and the nutritionist in her office has given me a very specific eating plan (which I'm struggling with TBH-low carb vegetarian ugh). She also gave me very specific product suggestions, e.g., buy this kind of yogurt, buy this kind of protein shake. I found it helpful.

[Anonymous]

I have never met a slender dietitian or nutritionist. And I've met quite a few.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I scheduled my first appointment with a dietitian at a well known university medical faculty office. This time I had great expectations because she was recommended by my primary doc. While waiting for my appt, I set my mind to get serious loosing the 12 pounds that have been keeping me from wearing my swim suits and favorite elegant Ann Taylor dresses. When I finally got into the dietitian office I found an obese person, seating on her chair, ready to lecture me how to loose those 12 pounds. The same afternoon, I saw her munching a hot dog in the middle of the city while I was driving to get back home.
Have you ever follow up with an obese dietitian?

No. If they can’t help themselves with their expertise, I wouldn’t trust them to help me. That lady needs to lose more weight than you do. FOH

[Anonymous]

I don't think I would be seeing a dietician if I only had 12 pounds to lose.

Cut your calories, eat close to nature and move more. Put your mind to it and you can lose that within 2 months. Done.

Now if you are also managing a health condition, that might be a different story. Is that why your doctor referred you to the nutritionist?

[Anonymous]

To lose that amount of weight, I would be more inclined to follow someone on Instagram. Although most don’t have formal qualifications, it is often practical advice that works.