Are you from Darwin, Palmerston or elsewhere in the NT and need to make changes to your diet to achieve your health goals? If so, you might find it helpful to see a nutritionist.
So, what do you need to know about seeing a nutritionist in Darwin?
What are nutritionists?
Nutritionists use their knowledge of health and nutrition to help you meet your health and wellbeing goals. They work with you to make healthy choices and to meet your general nutrition needs through tailored advice and support.
Nutritionists work with individuals, organisations and groups to improve health and wellbeing through diet. Many but not all nutritionists have completed training in nutrition.
How can a nutritionist help me?
A nutritionist will create an individualised plan for you based on your personal situation, your preferences, your lifestyle and any dietary restrictions you may have. This plan will help you to achieve your health goals.
A nutritionist may:
Help you to improve your overall diet in line with your health and wellbeing goals.
Assist you to meet your general nutritional requirements for health, energy or vitality.
Provide you with meal plans to achieve your goals or meet your nutritional needs.
Make useful food product recommendations to make your life easier.
Provide general education around diet changes needed to meet your goals.
Help you to stay on track with your nutrition plan by providing motivation and support.
Modify your nutrition plan where required so you can achieve your goals.
As you can see, there are many ways a nutritionist can help you to achieve your health and wellbeing goals. However, they aren’t qualified to provide support and advice if you have a specific medical condition that requires diet changes. This type of assistance should only come from someone who is a dietitian.
What should I expect in my appointment?
At your appointment, your nutritionist will ask about your eating patterns, your diet and your lifestyle. They may also ask about your medical history and any medications or supplements you might take. This information will help your nutritionist to make an accurate assessment which will inform your nutrition plan going forward.
Your nutritionist will then give you some recommendations to follow. They might make suggestions about your eating patterns or recommend that you change some of the foods in your current diet. They also may recommend other lifestyle changes to help you achieve your health and wellbeing goals. Some nutritionists provide meal plans, recipes, educational materials or specific product recommendations.
If you want to get the most out of seeing a nutritionist, you will need multiple appointments over an extended period of time. These review appointments will help your nutritionist to support you long term and to track your progress.
Are nutritionists the same as dietitians?
All dietitians are nutritionists but not all nutritionists are dietitians. Confusing right?
Nutritionists
Nutritionists have completed some study around food and nutrition. However, in Australia being a nutritionist isn’t a regulated profession. This means that anyone is able to call themselves a nutritionist. Some but not all nutritionists have completed a university degree in nutrition or have studied a certificate or diploma in nutrition. If you see a nutritionist always be sure to ask about their qualifications.
Dietitians
Dietitians must be university educated and hold a degree which covers both nutrition and Dietetics components. This means that anyone who calls themselves a dietitian is automatically both a nutritionist and a dietitian.
Many dietitians in Australia are credentialed with Dietitians Australia, the regulatory body of dietitians in Australia. If a dietitian is credentialed they are called an accredited practicing dietitian (APD) and this is quite important. It means that the dietitian studied at an approved university, is committed to best practice and undertakes professional development so they can stay up to date with the latest in nutrition and research.
Dietitians work in a variety of settings just like nutritionists. Because dietitians are also nutritionists, they work with their patients to improve general health and well-being. They are also qualified to give specific dietary advice for medical conditions and nutrition-related diseases through “medical nutrition therapy”.
Should I see a nutritionist or a dietitian?
Whether you should see a nutritionist or dietitian depends on the issue you need assistance with.
If you need only support to achieve general health and wellbeing goals then you can see either someone who is only a nutritionist or someone who is a dietitian. Remember, if a person calls themselves a dietitian they are automatically a nutritionist as well.
If you have a specific medical condition that needs dietary treatment you should see someone who is a dietitian. Dietitians give expert dietary advice for medical conditions like obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, malnutrition, food intolerances, allergies, gastrointestinal conditions and diseases, fertility issues, eating disorders, kidney disease and osteoporosis. They can also support people to meet their nutritional needs in pregnancy, menopause and into old age.
How can I find a nutritionist in Darwin?
There are two ways to find a nutritionist in Darwin.
See an accredited practicing dietitian
All dietitians are nutritionists. If you see an accredited practicing Dietitian they will also automatically be a nutritionist who has gone through rigorous training. Here at Dietitians NT, most of our providers are nutritionists as well as accredited practicing Dietitians.
Find a registered nutritionist
You can also find a registered nutritionist using the Nutrition Society of Australia search tool. Registered nutritionists have completed recognised training and they are educated to a high standard in food and nutrition science. By working with a registered nutritionist you can be confident that your nutritionist has excellent knowledge of health and nutrition.
If you need the support of a dietitian or nutritionist in Darwin please get in touch with us here at Dietitians NT by calling 0472 604 176 or by booking online. We can help you to achieve your health and wellbeing goals or assist you to make diet changes for specific medical conditions.