Talking with a nutritionist…

I saw a nutritionist a few years ago to learn ways to reduce my cholesterol numbers. She was good and I learned a lot. [Pro tip for that: the Mediterranean diet is excellent]

As far as what to expect at your meeting… for me I told her what my goal was - to bring my cholesterol numbers waaaaayyyy down - and she took it from there. Really, it’s all about them educating us, and then most important, taking what we learn and DOING IT. 

Let us know how your meeting goes!

Go in with an open mind but not with high hopes. I’ve been to a couple and they mainly told me things I already do. “Drink more water.” “Limit simple carbs.” Yeah, no $#it. I hope they help you develop an eating plan that allows you to reach your goals.

I’ve been working with one for about 6 months. Goals are to lower cholesterol, increase vitamin d, and lose weight. We’ve accomplished lowering cholesterol (hint fiber makes a HUGE difference for me.) Weight hasn’t moved. Vit D I haven’t had checked yet. Honestly, I’ll probably take a break from working with her once I’ve hit my insurance limit for the year. There’s nothing magical she can do to help me lose weight. I think it’s just where it is bc perimenopause has done a number on my body and it isn’t responding to lower calories or increased exercise anymore. I can’t drop the calories any lower and still enjoy life.

I have got to say that my experience with a dietician was abysmal.

I see my PC every six months. I saw her last June and she was very concerned about my cholesterol, my A1C, my blood pressure and my weight. She wanted me to take weight loss meds. I discussed it with my psychiatrist who told me she was totally opposed to me doing so. So I requested referral to a dietician in July. She looked over my food logs and told me 1) only whole grain carbs 2) serious protein at every meal 3) fruit should be considered sugar. I went home with this thinking and put it in practice. Went back a month later and had lost 3 pounds. She looked over my food logs again and spent an hour lecturing me on intuitive eating. Mindfulness, hand outs, etc. I asked about a calorie limit, she said that wasn't necessary and really my focus was on good health, not weight loss, so just keep doing what I was doing. I did not schedule another appointment. But I kept up with the serious amounts of protein and the whole grains. And then I went for my blood work in January. My cholesterol was through the roof, my triglycerdies were 250! My A1C was 6.3 up from 6.1 in June. My weight hadn't budged.

My doctor was convinced more than ever that I needed weight loss meds. I pushed back...again.

I began reading and reading and reading some more. I recommend How Not to Diet by Dr. Michael Gregor. The book is like 5 inches thick because he basically investigates every single weight related study ever conducted. His recommendation? Whole food, plant based. I was not convinced I'd be able to do it. So for the past few months, I've been dabbling in plant based cooking. My weight has held steady. My blood work in June was slightly better than January. I told my doctor at my June appointment that I was going to go full steam ahead on a whole food, plant-based diet. I told her I thought I could commit to 3 months and take this seriously. I asked her to draw a full panel of blood work at the three month mark so we could compare it to my peak (?) in January. I told her if this didn't show any type of improvement, I would resign myself to trying the weight loss meds.

I quit smoking 12 weeks ago. I gained 8.6 pounds in the first 7 weeks (so 49 days) on day 50, I had my blood drawn and I started a strict plant-based diet. As of today, it's been 5 weeks. I have lost that 8.6 pounds that I gained as of Tuesday. Last night, after dinner, my blood pressure had the lowest reading I've had in over 2 years. The only thing I have done is switch what I'm eating. No quantity restrictions, nothing. But I will say I am trying to minimize non-whole grain carbs. I stuck with that aspect of the dietician advice. Now, I don't think that 5 weeks is long enough to draw any conclusions, but I will say, I remain incredibly curious about where this is going. I committed to 3 months so I have 7 weeks left, I'm almost half way. I'll report back when I see what my overall health looks like at the end of it. But I'm encouraged.

But basically I went in there pretty open-minded and I feel that the dietician I saw (my only experience with one) wasn't worth the money I spent. I had a lot of faith in her too. I was consistent.

I find I do need protein at breakfast but it doesn't have to be the traditional eggs/bacon. Quiche, leftover savoury pie, bread/cheese/fruit, leftover pizza, leftover kielbasa/veg, spanokopita...those are common breakfasts for me now. I do sometimes have weetabix with fruit and milk or yoghurt/granola/fruit - usually when there aren't any good leftovers.

I don't know for sure but I'm guessing cereal companies (and possibly pancake/waffle mix companies) and their advertising are the reason we have breakfast specific foods.

My husband was able to quit taking BP and Chol meds doing whole food plant based eating. I don’t think he lost weight, as he’s rather lean from running anyway. He eats huge amounts. It’s irritating.

My experience with a dietitian was also abysmal. She had one way of eating with no concern about food issues or anything. I ate over a day’s period of time what she gave for lunch or dinner. Had food issues for as long as I can remember. It’s only gotten worse with gastroparesis (amount) and now gluten intolerance (limiting).

I think it's very helpful if you have a specific problem, such as diabetes. I'm not sure it's very helpful when you already know what to eat and what not to eat and how many calories you should be taking in.

But go into it with a positive mindset and see what happens, if you're not already sure of those things.

Yes, more protein! I've started eating more protein and have less cravings and crashes. Society has taught us that 1200 calories is some magic diet number but it's too low.


I don't know about the US, but in Canada there is a big difference in the schooling between a registered dietician and a nutritionist. That being said I'm sure there are some crappy dietitians and some excellent nutritionists.

^^^ This is abuse.  A person who knows about real food issues, isn't too understanding AND if this person is the "chef" in the family ~ this behaviour of him is abuse.