Consultations focus on developing a good relationship between you and your dietitian to assist them in helping you achieve your health goals.
Your dietitian will begin by conducting a thorough nutrition assessment, which includes asking you about:
- Current and past medical history, and family medical history
- Occupation and lifestyle
- Current medications and nutrition supplements
- Food allergies or dietary requirements
- Usual physical activity level
- Usual food intake
After your dietitian has conducted their nutrition assessment, they will provide you with feedback on your current nutritional status and areas for improvement. These will be related to your specific health goals and your dietitian will provide you with some education to help you understand the role diet plays in certain health conditions.
Once you and your dietitian have discussed what changes need to be made to improve your diet and health, together you will set actions to help make these changes. Breaking large goals into smaller actions helps you stay on track and provides you with a sense of achievement when these actions are accomplished. The pace you work at with your dietitian is up to you but generally it’s best to take a ‘slow and steady’ approach to dietary change, as this avoids you becoming overwhelmed by trying to do everything at once.
