Has anyone ever gone to a Nutritionist?

[JESW]

What exactly do they do for you?? I am getting disgusted with my weight but I am not sure how to go about losing it - other than the obvious of eating less and exercising more. I have no idea what to eat anymore! Would a nutritionist be able to help me figure it all out?

Jill

 

[pumba]

I had to go to a nutritionist for learning how to eat for Diabetes. Yes they showed me how to read the info on all foods and how much a serving would be for myself. Call and talk to one.

 

[ead79]

Yes, nutritionists can help design food plans. If you want individual attention, that can be a good alternative. If you prefer a group approach, then you might consider Weight Watchers. They teach you about healthy food choices, portion control, and exercise.

 

[llij]

I had a friend see a nutrionist who taught her a lot about food choices, healthy cooking and portion size. She lost about 30 lbs. and was so happy with her decision to use a nutritionist b/c it changed her outlook and way of eating.

Good luck to you!

 

[DVCLiz]

I worked with a nutritionist when I was pregnant and had gestational diabetes. She designed a food plan for me that was healthy and filling - I was never hungry. Of course, I had more calories because I was pregnant. It did take some discipline - I had to carefully measure portions (14 grapes=fruit serving, for example, and no cheating!!) but it was easy to learn and I had a safe and healthy pregnancy.

My program was based on a certain amount of servings of each category of food, eaten at specific times each day. So for breakfast I might have a starch serving, a protein serving, a fruit serving, and a dairy serving. I almost always had milk as my dairy serving, but I might have diet bread toasted with peanut butter, or plain toast and a hard-boiled egg, along with a banana, apple or grapes. There was some variety. But it did lean heavily to "plain" foods - ie. plain broiled shrimp, not shrimp scampi over linguine in butter sauce!!! It would be a great weight loss program, though. Weight Watchers is a similar program. They both work well for me when I use them. It's when I start thinking, "Hmmm, I wonder how a Snickers bar would taste right about now?" that I run into trouble!!!

 

[pearlieq]

I've gone twice and didn't get very much out of it either time. If you have a basic understanding of food/exhanges and know how to read a label, there's not too much they can teach you (in terms of practical knowledge that you'd actually need to know, that is.)

A really, really good one can explain different ways to eat and help you though the trial-and-error of figuring out what's right for you. But the ones I've visited and heard about usually just whipped out a pre-printed sheet with a diabetic-type exchange program on it and talked me though it. Nothing to get excited about and not really personalized help.

Before you book with anyone, I would shop around and ask them to explain their basic philosophies and methods. What you want is someone who is willing to listen to you and help you fit healthy eating into your life, not someone who's just going to give you a generic "diet plan" and send you on your way.

 

[disneymom3]

I am considering using one soon. I have been excercising like crazy but have just started WW. I have not lost any weight and my plan is to give myself a month on WW and if I still don't lose any weight, then I am going to see a nutritionist to figure out what I am doing wrong. (I have been working out for over two months.)

 

[Christine]

I've never been to one but my general opinion is that if you're smart, can read a book and are aware of what is healthy and what's not, you don't need one. There are people out there who truly need one. I mean, I know people that actually believe that bacon is good for you.

The biggest problem that *most* people have losing weight is overestimating their calories. I feel that I am VERY educated about food and the right way to eat, but I have struggled before trying to lose a few pounds here and there.

I've told my little story a few times here on the DIS so, I apologize if you've read it before.

Last year, I wanted to lose 10 lbs. I was already walking but it really wasn't doing anything, so I upped my exercise, walked more, did some Pilates, did some of The Firm tapes. Nothing. I didn't really change my diet because I figured it wasn't that bad--I eat healthy foods, not a big soda drinker, etc. But the weight wouldn't budge. So I decided to "cut back" on my portions. I switched to all artificial sweeteners, etc. Again nothing happened.

Someone here turned me on to the website www.fitday.com. Basically, it is a calorie tracker. It also tracks how many carbs/protein/fats you are eating a day and it puts it in a nice little pie chart. So if you are concerned about ratios with these 3 things, it is great for that. Anyway, I started entering my "cut back" eating plan just to see where I was going wrong. Well, I quickly figured out that on my "cut back" eating plan, I was still putting away anywhere from 2200-2500 calories per day!! So, I made some more cut backs and got my food down to 1700-1800 per day. And man the weight came off!! So if you haven't tried this, you might want to give it a shot.

 

[bbangel]

A nutritionist can also help you figure out where your diet might be deficient. I have a bean/legume allergy. I thought I was eating fairly healthy, but it turns out I have a zinc deficiency. The nutritionist helped me incorporate foods I could/would eat that would increase my zinc levels. (like pumpkin seeds) The more info you give them, the more they can help.
Some people find when they eat the right foods, they don't have so many cravings and don't have the same tendancy to overeat. You don't really get that from group programs that just focus on calorie counting.

 

[bicker]

I didn't find the nutritionists all that valuable in my weight-loss efforts. They're interested in nutrition first, and weight-loss as a "nice to have". Sorry, for me, losing weight was required. I found a physician who's specialty was the treatment of obesity.

 

[believe]

I went for low blood sugar and it was extremely helpful. They take into account your current activity level, age and health issues to determine how much fat, protein and carbs you shoudl eat on a daily basis. They also adjust the eating schedule to your daily schedule. When I went they had me eat more carbs than I was use to...I told her if I gained weight I was quitting...I actually lost the last stubborn pounds that wouldn't come off at that time. I highly recommend a nutrionist, but make sure they are going to give you what you need...I know of others who went and it wasn't as detailed.

 

[arminnie]

I went about 30 years ago because all of the weight loss programs back then were pretty much one size fits all. I had a relatively high metabolism and exercised a lot. Those stupid 900 calorie diets (yes they did that back then) left me ravenous. I literally could never follow one of those.

The nutritionist was good about giving me permission to eat foods that all of the diet programs banned - like having a protein snack of peanuts or cheese mid-afternoon. I'd only gained about 15 pounds back then so it was not a huge amount I needed to lose.

I haven't been to WW in decades because of all the rules they USED to have - like carrots only once a week. It was truly pretty bizarre years ago. I know it is so much better today, but I get so turned off by the WW zealots counting the points on MY plate - especially when I am the one who lost 40 pounds (5 years ago), and they just keep joining WW over and over again.

 

[harleyquinn]

Someone here turned me on to the website www.fitday.com. Basically, it is a calorie tracker. It also tracks how many carbs/protein/fats you are eating a day and it puts it in a nice little pie chart. So if you are concerned about ratios with these 3 things, it is great for that. Anyway, I started entering my "cut back" eating plan just to see where I was going wrong. Well, I quickly figured out that on my "cut back" eating plan, I was still putting away anywhere from 2200-2500 calories per day!! So, I made some more cut backs and got my food down to 1700-1800 per day. And man the weight came off!! So if you haven't tried this, you might want to give it a shot.

THANK YOU!!!!

I had tried dietwatch.com, which is very similar to fitday, but costs $80/year. Now I can do it for free. Awesome!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Calorie amounts and portion sizes are something that are the biggest hurdles for weight loss. They serve a family- sized portion to one person. It really is hard for a person to see a normal portion size served to you these days.

Size of your fist is a proper portion, as a general rule.

Dr. Phil's Book is one that addresses nutrition, weight loss, and lifestyle change. I highly recommend it. It is very well done.

The average American eats an entire days calorie intake in 1 meal.
Ex. We got Sonic for lunch yesterday. So we look up the calorie amounts... Some of the large shakes are close to 1200 calories.
If you eat Fast Food you are in the ballpark of 1500-2500 calories. You cannot lose weight eating like that.

 

[kelleigh1]

My medical insurance had a program where I worked with a nutritionist over a 6-month period. All consults were done over the phone, so honestly, I could have been lying to her and she'd never know...but I didn't. I've lost 8 pounds since working with her and have changed my eating habits, which was a lot easier that I thought it would be. I didn't go on a diet, but made small changes over a period of time which made it much easier to maintain and a "diet".

I didn't make drastic changes all at one, but over a period of time and I'm still making them. I also don't deprive myself of anything, which she said is a smart thing to do. If I want a piece of cake, have it, but a smaller portion that I used to have. Maybe the first time I had a piece after working with her, I shaved off 1/4 of an inch and by the last time I had cake, it was about half the size. (Our office has cake once a month to celebrate all the birthday's that month.) My cake craving is satisfied, yet I'm consuming a lot less calories than I did before.

I thought it was one of the best things I could do for myself and I would recommend it. Just know that you can't expect a huge weight loss, but it will be gradual. Just as you cut back on how much you eat gradually, you'll lose weight gradually - but you'll be healthier too.

 

[Laurajean1014]

other than the obvious of eating less and exercising more.

The obvious works. No-one can give you better information than this. Eat in moderation and exercise every chance you can get. If you are active enough, the weight will come off.

If you walk, instead of upping your 2 mile walk to 3 - try using 2 lb weights on your hands to make the walk more challenging. All you need is 20 minutes to correctly use your heart to where it is exercising and keeping itself fit. With this, you will buildup you immune system, as well as your metabolism and you will lose weight.

Best of luck to you.

 

[bicker]

The obvious does work, but if it was that easy, then no one would have any problems. So that's why it is so essential to have people reasearching and sharing what they learn about the non-obvious, some of which also works.

 

[grlpwrd]

The obvious does work, but if it was that easy, then no one would have any problems. So that's why it is so essential to have people reasearching and sharing what they learn about the non-obvious, some of which also works.

Plus, it really depends on your needs. Some people can open a book and go from there. I've read books like Body for Life for Women and The Schwarzbein Principle which are good. Sites like fitday.com and sparkpeople.com to keep track of your food plan.

There's also the speciality diets, like Atkins, South Beach, McDougall, WW, etc. Lots of books, websites, and resources out there, but it takes discipline. If you're the type who can be disciplined on your own than more power to you.

There are some people that need person to person care or consultation. My dh who looks like a competitive bodybuilder during the off-season consults with a nutritionist. She prescribes him a diet high in fruit and vegetables, little red meat, and lots of water. He's been eating like this for years. He meets with her every 3 months or so, but it does take discipline to keep on track.

For me, I consulted with a dietitician and nutritionist when I was pregnant and the diet plan they prescribed is based on the glycemic index. It has helped me to lose and maintain my weight and keep my cholesterol and blood sugar stable.

...so it does make a difference based on your needs, your health condition and what diet plan you prefer, your discipline, etc....One thing for sure is that it must be a long-term plan to be successful [long-term].

GL!