If you’re looking to eat healthier, then seeing a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) might be your best bet. An RDN can help you understand your body and how the foods you choose might affect it. Plus, a registered dietitian nutritionist will work with you to create an eating plan that has the nutrients you need for a healthy diet.
If you need to improve your diet for other health-related reasons, such as following a special diet for managing diabetes, a dietitian will work with you to understand your particular needs and challenges, and design your meal plans accordingly.
A registered dietitian nutritionist can be especially helpful for people who have an eating disorder. They will prescribe treatment at every level of care, which is an integral part of the treatment plan for those recovering from an eating disorder. If you suffer from an eating disorder, is important to see a dietitian who specializes in eating disorders, and who is a good fit for you.
A registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) contributes to many aspects of eating disorder treatment at every level of care and is an integral part of the treatment team for those recovering from an eating disorder. It is important to see a dietitian who specializes in eating disorders and is a good fit for you.
Here is the role of the RDN in the treatment of eating disorders:
- Evaluate the patient’s current eating patterns and share findings with other team members. Develop an individualized plan for improvement to replenish nutritional deficiencies and promote optimal nutrition and growth.
- Help the patient determine how to implement needed nutritional recommendations.
- Identify dysfunctional and detrimental thoughts and feelings around food, eating, and body size, as well as knowledge and skill deficits that prevent the patient from implementing recommendations.
- Explain the role of proper nutrition and eating in physical and mental well-being and provide education to challenge inaccurate beliefs about food.
- Offer active learning activities when appropriate, such as cooking, eating, or grocery shopping, to help teach new behaviors and acceptance of food-related tasks and environments. Model appropriate eating in shared experiential interventions such as restaurant meals.
- Communicate frequently with other members of the interdisciplinary treatment team, including family members and significant others.
- Educate parents and caregivers regarding eating disorders and nutrition as they relate to the treatment plan and recovery needs.
Florida RDN
A registered dietitian nutritionist is not only helpful for people with an eating disorder, they can help anyone who is interested in improving their nutrition. No matter how old you are or what your body type is, a registered dietitian nutritionist can help you live a healthier lifestyle. Contact Behavioral Nutrition and we can put you in touch with someone who can help you develop a plan that works for you.
