They say you are what you eat! A healthy and well-balanced diet can be the difference between sickness and health, youthful skin and ageing skin, or even life and death! Did you know that just by eating the right foods, you could prevent, treat, or improve some health conditions?

There is an array of disease-fighting foods such as eggs, greens, milk, sweet potatoes, seeds, among others.

At times, however, there is too much information on the web about what to eat or avoid. That is why dieticians exist. But who are dieticians and why do you need them? Below are the things you need to know.

1. Who is a dietician?

A dietician is a person who has acquired board certification in food and nutrition. He or she will have educational qualifications in food and dietetics. Their broad training gives them the expertise to offer specialized nutritional therapy and counselling to individuals.

Dieticians possess the qualifications to practice in different settings including research institutions and hospitals.

2. Who are the various types of dieticians?

• Non-clinical dieticians

These are dieticians who do not deal with patients. Instead, they work in institutions such as research departments in hospitals and schools, learning institutions, the government as food service managers, and in the community, advocating for favorable food policies. 

• Clinical dieticians

These are professionals who work with inpatients in a hospital setting. These are the types of dieticians you will find at the medical centre next to Banora point.

They support medics in treating chronic illnesses such as cancer while supervising their nutrition. 

They determine the best nutrition for patients by considering factors such as medical history and current health conditions which include factors such as body weight.

Dieticians can also specialize in certain categories. For example, you can have a sports dietician and a pediatric dietician. 

A sports dietician can advise you on the best eating strategy to meet your training needs. A pediatric dietician will craft for you a balanced diet menu that will help nourish your children and keep them in good health. They also handle cases such as obesity and diabetes in kids.

1. What is the difference between a dietician and a nutritionist? 

That is a nagging question for many because these words are often used interchangeably.

The simple answer is that a nutritionist may well be an amateur with an interest in diet and nutrition or one with general nutrition qualifications. 

That means that a nutritionist can lack the expertise to offer nutritional therapy and counselling, which makes it harmful to follow their guidance. However, there are also licensed nutritionists who are qualified to offer diet guidance.

Dieticians are always qualified professionals. 

2. Should you visit a dietician or a nutritionist?

It is always better to visit a dietician because they are undoubtedly qualified in their field. They are also qualified to deal with sick people and offer specialized nutrition advice that can aid quick recovery. 

If you must visit a nutritionist, ensure that they are certified to offer nutrition advice, more so if you have an underlying medical condition.

3. When do you need the services of a dietician?

When do you know it is time to seek the help of a dietician?  Dieticians are handy when:

• You are undergoing certain medical procedures

If you have to undergo surgery because of a particular disease or any other kind of surgery such as a weight loss surgery, you are usually weak and in most cases, you will lose a lot of blood. 

You need proper nutrition to regain your proper nutrients and heal faster. A dietitian comes in handy to also help you prepare nutritionally for an upcoming surgery.  

• You are suffering from or you are at risk of a chronic illness

If you are at risk of suffering from diseases such as diabetes, kidney issues, or cancer, seeking the help of a dietician is crucial. He or she will advise you on the best foods to take to either decrease your chances of getting the disease or reduce its severance.

If you are already suffering from a chronic illness, it is paramount to use the advice of a dietician so that you can stay healthy and heal faster. 

• You are clinically malnourished

Your nutrition status is determined by the quality and quantity of food you eat. Diseases can influence your nutritional status. 

Clinical malnutrition is disease or inflammation-related malnutrition that results in a weight loss of more than 10% within half a year. It also results in your BMI reducing to less than 18.5, among other symptoms.

Final Words

Nothing beats the blessing of being healthy.  One way to keep healthy and prevent diseases is by going for regular health checkups. 

During routine checkups, doctors can identify early signs of diseases and recommend the best ways to suppress or treat them. One of these ways could be through the invaluable counsel of a dietician!