I love watching both history and detective shows. Documentaries and historical fiction help me see how past actions lead to certain results. Mysteries reveal how putting patterns and clues together can solve challenges.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a nutrition therapist, I use clients\u2019 health histories and my own detective work to design diet and lifestyle plans to help clients meet their health goals. Below are the types of information a nutrition therapist may use and how it all comes together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A nutrition therapist spends quality time getting to know a client\u2019s health history. This includes reviewing health questionnaires, understanding current lifestyle practices and dietary habits, as well as assessing supplements and\/or medications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the initial intake appointment, a nutrition therapist may go beyond traditional questions and inquire about historical health facts that may not have seemed consequential at the time. For example, a nutrition therapist may ask:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some circumstances may seem insignificant to include on a health history questionnaire, but asking thorough questions may jog a client\u2019s memory. A past situation may not be the direct cause of a health issue, but could possibly play a role in its development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When it comes to current health, understanding past and current lifestyle habits is important. A nutrition therapist will ask about numerous things, including sleep patterns, exercise and stress. A few questions are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Again, these types of lifestyle questions can reveal patterns or clues to existing health issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nutrition is the obvious area of questioning from a nutrition therapist, however, eating a healthy diet may not be that straight-forward. Please know that a good nutrition therapist won\u2019t judge current eating habits. Habits usually form over many, many years and there are reasons why they developed. However, nutrition therapy involves educating clients about food and its effects on our bodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since we\u2019re all different, foods that work for me and give me energy may not work for you and may deplete your energy. Here\u2019s where things get really fun as a nutrition therapist: finding out which foods work well for your body. Sometimes our bodies take a while to change, but a nutrition therapist will create a plan for you and track the changes over time to confirm that things are moving in a positive direction. If changes are good, bad or null, a nutrition therapist will bring them to your attention and suggest additional options to get you to your health goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just because we eat healthy foods, it doesn\u2019t mean that our bodies absorb the nutrients from those foods. Sometimes nutrients don\u2019t break down properly in the gastrointestinal tract and, therefore, they cannot be absorbed and used by the body.1<\/sup> For anyone who has had gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy), gastric bypass surgery or other resection operations, their digestion and absorption processes will be affected.2, 3, 4<\/sup> Lifestyle activities, like stress, may also play a huge part in allowing our bodies to properly break down food into absorbable nutrients.5, 6<\/sup> Blood, stool, saliva and\/or breath tests ordered by a nutrition therapist or medical practitioner may help provide more insight to one\u2019s nutritional status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to The Slone Survey<\/a>, conducted by the Slone Epidemiology Center, and cited by the CDC, \u201cin a given week, an average of 82% of adults in the U.S. are taking at least one medication; 29% are taking five or more.\u201d Our nutrition may be impacted by medications because:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Knowing the nutritional effects medications can potentially have on the body can provide many clues to health issues. A nutrition therapist can give suggestions on how to replenish nutrient deficiencies through diet and, possibly, supplementation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaking of supplementation, this is another area where nutrition therapists can provide guidance. Not all supplements are created equal and not all supplements are helpful. You can read more here about why supplement quality matters<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Accountability may be the area where a nutrition therapist can have the biggest impact. Anyone with a deep interest can take the time to learn about nutrition and its impact on our bodies. However, to accomplish doing what is best for our bodies may require accountability. A nutrition therapist can be a wonderful accountability partner after the work of defining clearly agreed upon goals, timelines and tactics. In his book Atomic Habits<\/em>, James Clear says, <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cKnowing that someone is watching can be a powerful motivator. You are less likely to procrastinate or give up because there is an immediate cost \u2026 Suddenly, you are not only failing to uphold your promises to yourself, but also failing to uphold your promises to others.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Having the support of a nutrition therapist may help us keep to our goals especially when we don\u2019t want to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It can be extremely frustrating when we don\u2019t understand why our bodies act in undesirable ways. Most of my clients have tried for years to diet and supplement on their own without reaching their health goals, yet once the decision has been made to work with a nutrition therapist, they may not see immediate results. Because the body can take time to adjust and make changes, a nutrition therapist will help you stay the course with mindset and encouragement. When we can\u2019t see the forest for the trees, a nutrition therapist will bring to light all the positive things happening in other areas. Change is hard and it may take time to see them come to fruition. A nutrition therapist will remind you of the big picture, how far you\u2019ve come and keep you motivated on your journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These days, many medical practitioners don\u2019t have the time to spend getting to know you and your complete health history along with the details of your current diet and lifestyle. For this reason, a nutrition therapist can be a great addition to your health care team as we can help you practically implement the changes your medical practitioner suggests as well as brainstorm patterns and clues for certain health issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An Arabian proverb I like says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n As a nutrition therapist, I combine historical facts, patterns and clues to provide detailed nutritional plans and guidance, but I also give hope to those struggling to overcome health challenges. And I believe that hope can change our world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you would like to explore working with me as your nutrition therapist, click here to schedule a free 20-minute Let\u2019s Meet! call<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNutrition therapy and medication<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Nutrition therapy and supplementation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Nutrition therapy and accountability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Nutrition therapy and mindset<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Nutrition therapy as part of your health care team<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n