What is the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist?
Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist, that title is used very freely in our world, unfortunately. However a dietitian has to earn a Bachelor’s Degree, apply and complete an accredited dietetic internship (not everyone gets placed for this, unfortunately, as it quite competitive) and pass the registration exam. In addition, dietitians have to maintain a certain amount of continued education units every 5 years to keep our credentials to ensure we are staying up to date with the latest education surrounding various disease topics.

 

What is medical nutrition therapy?
Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is a therapeutic approach to treating various disease states through the use of personalized nutrition interventions. This is provided by a registered dietitian.

 

When should I see a dietitian nutritionist? Why?
If you feel as if a particular disease state is greatly impacting your nutrition intake or even your day-to-day life, it’s time to see a dietitian. Furthermore, you don’t have to have a “problem” occurring to see us either. We also recommend preventative nutrition sessions to avoid the risk of further complications, especially when it comes to prolonged dieting and/or disordered eating. We will also refer you to other providers if we are not a good fit for your needs. We want to see you live a happy and healthy life.

 

Can you self-refer to a dietitian?
Most of our clients are self-referring, as you do not need a doctor’s referral to see a dietitian in our practice. We make it easy to schedule online with one of our dietitians. Often, we may need a medical nutrition therapy diagnosis to assist with insurance coverage, which can be a quick call to your PCP, therapist, or psychiatrist.

 

Do dietitians make meal plans?
We assist in making meal plans or meal guides, as we like to call them, as this can provide guidance and structure around food intake as they navigate back into the world of intuitive eating. Each patient has an individualized guide that is tailored to their specific needs.

 

How much does an appointment with a dietitian nutritionist cost?
We accept most major insurance companies, and most of our clients pay little to nothing to meet with a team member. We also offer military discounts as we are not in network with Tricare.