Is a Dietitian Worth It? Plus: 5 Quick Tips From an RDN
Written by: Melissa Fiorenza
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Diet programs. Apps. Meal delivery services. Among the zillion options out there to help you on your quest to a clean bill of health, at some point you’ve probably come across the suggestion of working with a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).
Maybe you’ve researched RDNs, saw the costs (typically ranging from $70-$100 per hour), and thought no, thanks.
But hang on.
Think about what you’re paying for: An actual person with actual knowledge on how you, specifically, can lose weight, eat better, and maintain a figure you’re fond of.
To really spell this out and get to the bottom of what an RDN can do for you, we chatted with Sandy Younan Brikho, MDA, RDN. A registered dietitian nutritionist and weight loss expert, Sandy is also the founder of The Dish On Nutrition, a virtual private practice where she inspires women to reach their weight loss goals without dieting.
What are the top three reasons For Someone to hire an RDN?
The first: faster results. How many times have you wasted money on different diets or products that took forever to work, only to eventually gain the weight back? If you hire a Registered Dietitian, you’ll save time and money, and you get faster results, says Brikho. “A dietitian will not only show you what to do but also HOW to do it so that you finally see the results you have been wanting and learn how to maintain those results long term,” she says.
The second: customized plans. “Everyone is different, everyone’s bodies are different, everyone’s goals are different, and everyone has different obstacles to overcome. When you work with a dietitian, we create a customized plan that will ensure your success. Nutrition and/or weight loss are not a one-size-fits-all approach. If you want to reach your goals and maintain your results, follow a customized plan that fits specifically for you, your lifestyle, your goals, your struggles, and your preferences.”
And lastly: accountability. It’s really easy to lose motivation or feel like quitting when you’re flying solo. “If you can't reach your goals on your own, a dietitian will support you, keep you motivated, and show you exactly how to get back on track,” says Brikho.
What's the biggest misconception about working with a dietitian?
“I think the biggest misconception about working with a dietitian is that we will take away all of your favorite foods.” But Brikho’s approach to nutrition is diet-free. She shows her clients how to lose weight or reach their nutrition goals without dieting. “I show them how to incorporate their favorite foods in their diet while still reaching their weight loss or nutrition goals.”
Are a nutritionist and a dietitian the same thing?
Turns out, the answer is no. They’re not the same. Brikho explains: “A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) has obtained a 4-year nutrition degree at a university and completed a dietetic internship, and passed a state exam to achieve our RDN credential.” Within the internship, she adds, they undergo rotations in every area of nutrition, gaining experience working with different clients in different settings under the supervision of a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. A degreed nutritionist has obtained only a 4-year nutrition degree. Then there’s a nutritionist, who can obtain their certificate in a few hours online.
What should you look for in a dietitian?
First and foremost, Brikho advises looking for someone who you feel comfortable with. Sharing your weight loss struggles or nutritional struggles can sometimes be challenging and make you feel vulnerable. So, finding someone you feel comfortable with will make the biggest difference in reaching your goals, she says.
A few other tips: Check their credentials; look for either an RD or RDN at the end of their name. Also, find a dietitian who has an approach to nutrition that you feel matches your own. While Brikho shows her clients how to lose weight without dieting, other dietitians might have a more strict approach with more guidelines. “It depends on what will work best for you and how you learn best,” she says.
Okay, quickfire time:
We asked Brikho for some of her favorite EASY ways to eat & drink better immediately.
She said:
Cover half of your plate with vegetables. This will help increase your fullness, prevent overeating, encourage portion control, and help you get the nutrients you need. In doing so, you won’t be tempted to eat too many other higher-calorie foods. For example, if you didn’t eat vegetables at a meal, you need double the portion of pasta and meatballs in order to feel full.
Include protein at each meal and snack. By incorporating protein with each meal and snack, you’re increasing your fullness, increasing your metabolism, and preventing overeating later in the day.
Eat out in a healthy way. You could share a plate with your friend, coworker, or family member to decrease your portion size. Or order an appetizer that includes vegetables such as a salad or edamame.
Make it easy. If it isn’t convenient, it’ll make losing weight challenging for most people. Have snacks that are easy to prepare or ready to go like a banana and peanut butter, or an apple and string cheese. In addition, if you don’t have time to prepare meals, then either cook several servings of a dish on Monday, for example, and eat it for lunch for the rest of the week, OR make a recipe that is prepared in under 5 minutes.
Focus on only ONE small change you want to make, master that by making it into a new habit, and then, pick your next small change. That is the secret to getting long-term results that last.
Ready to get started? Here are 10 easy plant-based appetizers that are anything but boring.
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