Accredited Practising Dietitians (APD’s) are university qualified to provide the most up to date and credible source of nutrition information and education. They will assess your individual nutritional needs, translating the scientific information into practical, personalised advice to help you achieve your health and wellbeing goals.
APD’s assess nutritional needs and use medical nutrition therapy to help people enhance their health through food choices. APD’s can help treat a wide range of medical conditions including diabetes, heart disease, cancers, gastrointestinal diseases, food allergies and intolerances, disordered eating and weight issues.
Below are some key ways a dietitian can assist you in achieving your health and wellbeing goals.
1. IDENTIFYING AND WORKING THROUGH BARRIERS
Every person has their own barriers to making health behaviour changes, and, in some cases, you may be so close to them that it becomes difficult to identify what might be holding you back. A dietitian may be able to help you view things from another perspective and then identify ways to overcome barriers and achieve your goals.
An experienced dietitian who has seen a variety of challenges and setbacks in other clients can assist you in troubleshooting your problems successfully or to help you push past those plateaus.
For example, if you are struggling with overeating in the evenings after dinner a dietitian can work with you to identify enablers to this behaviour and work with you to develop ideas and strategies on how to navigate the day to day but also special occasions such as festivities and travel.
2. YOU ALWAYS HAVE A RESOURCE YOU CAN TRUST
APD’s undertake a minimum of four years university degree so you can be confident you are receiving the best possible dietary advice, based on the latest nutrition research. As leading nutrition professionals APD’s are committed to ongoing professional development and education.
When you develop a professional relationship with a dietitian, you always have a trusted advisor on call to assist you in achieving your health and wellness goals. You can always turn to your dietitian when it comes to nutrition questions, to find out more about the latest diet trends, or even to help you choose foods and meals that match your budget and your nutrition needs.
3. EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
Food and eating are central in many aspects of our lives. There are often significant feelings and emotions associated with food and eating. This can include anger, sadness, frustration or happiness. As you start to change your eating and health behaviours, you will have feelings that surround these changes. Regardless of what you may be feeling, talking about them to your dietitian can assist you to process and overcome them, enabling you to achieve your health and wellness goals.
Feeling and emotions can have a significant impact on appetite, as well as food choices. When you are able to gain an understanding about your own personal challenges when it comes to emotions about food, it becomes easier to deal with and will assist you to avoid falling into old habits. In the times when you are feeling down or low, having a dietitian to show you what you are capable of and what you have already achieved, can boost your mood as well as assist you in staying motivated in achieving your health and wellness goals.
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