Nutritionist and Nutrition Counseling: Do We Need These?

What is a nutritionist and what is nutrition counseling?

Nutritionist:

• A medical professional who helps design and modify one's diet in accordance with any illness an individual may have.

Nutrition counseling: 

• A continuous counseling process in which a nutritionist delivers various dietary instructions and guidelines to help an individual to better manage his or her medical conditions.

Nutrition counseling is an integral part of a treatment procedure. By focusing on the diet, a nutritionist plays a silent but important role in maintaining an individual's health. The roles of both a nutritionist and nutrition counseling becomes even more prominent during the time of an individual's illness.

Why do we need a nutritionist and nutrition counseling?

• Age-specific dietary needs: Aging is a part of life; our only means of prolonging it is by choosing the right dietary options. Our physiological mechanisms change as we age, and consulting with a nutritionist can help to deal with these changes because he or she can help to modify what we eat, and how often we eat. As we age, we may find it difficult to digest some foods, or the necessity to put a limit on certain dietary factors, such as cholesterol, saturated fats, and salt, may arise. One way to receive help to modify your diet is by consulting with a nutrition and attending nutrition counseling. 
• Gender-specific dietary needs: Males and females have different dietary needs as per their physiology. Moreover, women have specific dietary needs during pregnancy or lactation. Diets that women follow while they are pregnant or lactating have a profound influence on the health of the infant too. Thus, consulting with a nutritionist will help not only the mother, but the child too.
• Disease prevention and disease management: Certain diseases may not surface in individuals who follow a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle. Simple dietary precautions, such as limiting salt intake, curbing cholesterol and fats, and quitting smoking, can go a long way when trying to prevent various diseases of your heart, lungs, and other vital organs. A nutritionist, through a scientific approach in the management of your diet — omitting negative aspects of your diet — can help you to prevent many chronic diseases, such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, heart problems, and many more. With the right combination of medicines, dietary modifications, and lifestyle changes you could live a healthier life. Medicines alone may not work as well if proper dietary choices are not made.
• Staying fit: Fitness is all the rage these days; it’s on everyone's  bucket list to have a fit body and an attractive appearance. Good bodies are not made in the gym, they are made in the kitchen. A proper fitness regime consists of a combination of the right physical exercises complemented by good nutrition. A nutritionist can design a dietary plan that meets the demands of what it takes to have a fit body.

In a nutshell, a nutritionist and nutrition counseling form an indispensable part of a healthcare system aimed at a fit, healthy, and beautiful individual.

Find a nutritionist near you and get proper nutrition counseling with us.