Nutritional Counseling
Nutritional Counseling ensures that the patient starts leading a healthy life through taking a proper nutritional diet. This counseling is offered by health professionals called clinical nutritionists. Many acupuncturists are trained in nutritional counseling and incorporate it as part of many wellness programs.
A proper healthy diet can help the patients in coping with many chronic illnesses including infertility, can help patients lose weight and even help them compete in sports activities.
At our wellness center we incorporate nutritional guidance as part of most treatment plans we create for our patients because we truly believe it plays an integral role in attaining optimal health and wellness.
Here is a general overview of what nutritional counseling is all about:
Dietary Habits Assessment
A nutritional counseling session starts with a general interview with the patient. The nutritionist inquires about the usual food intake of the patient and other lifestyle choices. Some can even ask the patient to keep a three day or week long diet diary to note down everything they consume. This is then used as the baseline of the entire counseling practice. Food sensitivity testing is sometimes done and afterwards the dietician evaluates what should be included in the diet and what should be removed in order to improve the diet.
Body Weight Assessment
Percentage of body fat, body mass index or body weight is measured. In some cases, measurements of sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol are also taken. This is a regular process to check the progress of the patient.
Identification of Changes Required
The counselor identifies what changes are required in a diet. He/she further educates the patient regarding the advantages and disadvantages of certain foods that should be included or removed from their diet. Changing the diet of a patient is a gradual process. It starts with a few changes and gradually the dietitian makes more changes in the diet so that the patient can cope with in a better way.
Identification of Possible Change Barriers
Once the diet plan is made and the changes needed are identified, the counselor identifies the issues and problems that can become barriers to these positive changes. These barriers may include cost, time, lack of knowledge and awareness, social gatherings, food preferences and inconvenience.
Goal Setting
The client and nutrition counselor start setting behavior-oriented goals. These goals are more focused on the behavior required in achieving desired dietary changes, instead of focusing on reaching a certain body weight.
Assisting in Maintaining Change
The major challenge that comes at this point is maintaining these positive dietary changes. Counselor assists the patient in maintaining these changes through regular follow-up, setting realistic expectations and helping in self-monitoring.
Who Can Benefit from Nutritional Counseling?
Numerous individuals can benefit from nutritional counseling for various reasons like coping with a medical condition, reducing weight, staying fit and more. Individuals benefit by learning about better food choices and how they can have a positive impact on their health. Here is a short list of conditions that can benefit from nutritional counseling:
- Infertility
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Autoimmune Disorders
- Celiac disease
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Diabetes
- Allergies
- High Cholesterol
- High Blood Pressure
- Heart Disease
Please contact us at 786-537-7022 to learn how nutrition plays a role in overall health and how our programs that include acupuncture, Chinese herbs and nutrition can help you achieve the health and happiness you desire.