gingercures

What Is Nutrition Counselling?

A good nutrition consultation should not feel like a lecture about what you should be doing, and you should not feel as though you are being scolded or judged on your eating habits, either. Rather, we take the time to listen closely and to understand where you are right now in terms of your lifestyle and diet, and work with you to help achieve your goals. A Registered Holistic Nutritionist™ is qualified to create individual action plans to help you adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Who Can Benefit from a Nutrition Consult?

Many people can benefit from working with a nutritionist, for many different reasons –whether you need a complete diet overhaul, are looking to manage a medical condition, want to fine-tune your food choices, or get inspiration for new, healthy recipes. A good time to book a nutrition consultation is after a check-up with your primary care provider. This can help inform whether or not you have any specific conditions that can be addressed with nutrition, such as elevated blood sugar or cholesterol, or blood pressure issues.

The following are just a few of the conditions that can benefit specifically from dietary interventions:

• Heart disease

• High blood pressure

• High cholesterol

• Allergies

• Diabetes and pre-diabetic conditions

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

• Celiac disease

• Obesity or overweight

• Pregnancy

And of course - seeing a nutritionist proactively, before any conditions arise, is always a good idea! 

What to Expect During Your First Appointment?

We will ask about your goals, objectives, and reasons for wanting to see a nutritionist. We will review your medical history, including any medications and supplements that you are currently taking. Then we will delve into your lifestyle to get a sense of your stress levels, sleep patterns, energy levels, exercise, and gastrointestinal function. It will be helpful for to you write down everything you ate (food journal) for at least two or three-days’ worth of meals and snacks before your first session for us to have a better sense of your current dietary habits.  One week after your first session, you will have a personalized client plan sent to you with some specific recommendations to get you on your way to living a healthier lifestyle.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

Most clients come in for two to three sessions. If you are ready to learn and incorporate some simple changes into your diet and lifestyle, that is often enough to set you on the right course. Some people like the accountability of setting up monthly consults until they feel in control of — and comfortable with — their new habits. It is not unusual for clients to schedule a refresher a year or two after the initial consult to review their goals or for help getting back on track.

Will I Have to Stop Eating Everything I Love?

Absolutely not! A nutrition consult is a partnership. Nutritionists do not just tell you what to do to improve your diet; we can also help you set and achieve your health goals. We work flexibly, starting with changes that will have the most impact, and incorporating the tactics that make the most sense for your lifestyle. The idea is to create a plan that puts you back in the driver’s seat and on the road to better health.