A nutritionist can be an invaluable resource in helping you move towards your health goals. This is particularly true if you are managing a chronic health condition alongside medicinal support, or simply looking to make healthy changes that will last a lifetime. Nutritional therapy is a holistic approach to promoting health through healthy diets and supplements. A nutritional therapist will assess your current diet and eating practices, identify any issues or areas of concern and work with you to develop a nutrition plan to help achieve your goals.
Nutritional therapists have a range of qualifications to be able to offer you expert advice. You should look for one who is registered with a recognised professional body, such as BANT The British Association of Nutritional Therapists or the CNHC (The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council). This ensures they have been trained from an accredited course, must keep up to date with research and practice, and are committed to continuing professional development.
A qualified nutritionist https://cardiffnutritionist.uk/ will be able to assist with a wide range of conditions, from dietary related digestive problems such as IBS and Crohn’s through to hormonal imbalances or women’s health problems like endometriosis and ovarian cystitis. They will look for the root cause and suggest dietary and sometimes supplementation changes to allow your body to heal itself.
The aim of nutritional therapy is to promote a positive relationship with food while making sustainable dietary changes. They will be able to help you find solutions that fit in with your lifestyle and work around your busy schedule. This is why a nutritional therapist will never recommend an overly restrictive or unrealistic diet. This includes eliminating entire groups of foods, calorie counting or limiting foods that are enjoyable to you. Instead, they will find more nutritious versions of your favorite meals, such as a pizza on cauliflower crust.
A nutritionist can also support you in your weight management, reducing inflammation and balancing blood sugar levels. They can help you understand the different types of carbohydrates, fats and proteins and how these affect your body. They can advise on how to incorporate these into your diet, educating you on how to read food labels and manage eating out or at special occasions.
In the US, medical nutrition therapy is provided by registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs). It is designed to manage certain chronic diseases and improve your overall health through dietary changes. The goals of this treatment are similar to those of a nutritionist, but your RDN will take your health into account as well as any medications you may be taking.
Nutritional therapy can be an extremely useful tool for a variety of health conditions. It is a safe and effective way to manage chronic illnesses such as diabetes, high cholesterol or hypertension and can be used alongside medicine or other therapeutic interventions. However, it is important to consult your doctor before starting any new nutritional or exercise programme. They can give you further details on the risks and benefits of nutrition therapy.