Q&A


Q: What is the difference between a registered dietitian and a nutritionist?

A: A Registered Dietitian (RD) is an educated, experienced, and credentialed food and nutrition expert. To become an RD a Bachelors of Science in Nutrition or Dietetics is needed from an accredited college or university that has been approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a 1200+ hour internship experience must be completed, a national exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) must be passed, and continuing professional education credits must be attained yearly to stay up-to-date.

A nutritionist can be a Registered Dietitian, but it can also be someone who thinks they know all about nutrition, someone who sells supplements, or someone who has taken a class or two in nutrition, or read a book about a fad diet. A nutritionist does not have to complete a 1200+ hour internship or pass the national exam. A nutritionist is not necessarily an expert in terms of food and nutrition.

Q: What is the first appointment like?

A: The initial consultation usually lasts about 50-minutes to 1-hour. We will discuss your nutrition and exercise goals, motivators, and barriers. If you are doing the Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) test, we will typically begin by conducting the simple breath test, and then move on to discuss your weight loss or weight gain goals. We will create a “meal plan” blueprint to help you stay on track with your nutrition needs and fit into your lifestyle and food preferences. We will help you better understand portion sizes, reading nutrition facts labels, and how to get all the nutrients your body needs.

Q: What do you do in the follow up appointments?

A: If appropriate, we typically have clients on our recumbent bike for 30-minute follow-ups. That allows clients to get some exercise while we chat about strategies for overcoming challenges, what is and is not working with the “meal plan”, and help clients develop skills for healthier lifestyle.

Q:  Do you accept insurance?

A: We do not accept insurance directly, however we can provide you with a Super Bill to submit to your insurance company. Many insurance companies will reimburse you for Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT). You can call your insurance provider ahead of time to see what and if they will cover your visit. We do accept health savings accounts and flexible health spending accounts.

Q: What disease’s and/or conditions do you specialize in?

A: We help clients with cancer therapy, cardiac rehab and prevention, Celiac’s disease education, diabetes education and self-management, gastrointestinal disorders, general nutrition education, kidney disease, PCOS management, prenatal nutrition, sports nutrition, weight loss/gain, and exercising through personal training.

Q: Do you sell diet pills and supplements?

A: No, we are firm believers in a whole, clean food and holistic approach to health and wellness. We want to help you develop skills to eat real foods to fit your lifestyle and nutritional needs and goals.

Q: Why do personal training with and RD?

A: We are a one-stop shop. We will address your nutritional concerns, but we also want to help you get moving and create a workout plan!

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