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13 Not-So-Obvious Questions to Ask Your Nutritionist 

Have you ever thought about meeting with a nutritionist? These days it’s easier than ever to get help with your weight loss goals. Have a busy schedule and can’t take time off? No worries, nutritionists are available for both virtual appointments as well as in-person so you can come up with your personalized nutrition plan easily. 

But how do you even prepare for a consultation with a nutritionist? First, you need to decide what your ultimate goals are. Do you want to lose weight? Do you need more energy? Do you need to fix your gut health? These are all things that you should reflect on, so you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve. Do a bit of research into Healthy Eating for Well-being and get familiar with established health trends. 

Once you have an idea of what your health goals are now you need to know what questions to ask. Identify possible challenges you may face when it comes to social pressures, self-discipline, family dynamics, or big life events that may shake up your routine such as obtaining a new job or moving into a new home. Concentrate your questions around your goals and the challenges you may face. For example, if you are wanting to have a baby soon, you might ask questions such as: 

  • What foods should I avoid, that might hurt my chances of conceiving? 
  • Is there a diet specifically designed to increase fertility? 
  • What diet and exercise combo will help me prepare for labor and delivery? 

If you’re still not sure what sort of questions you should be asking, we have come up with a list of 13 not-so-obvious questions you can ask your nutritionist. 

Could I Be Intolerant of Certain Foods? 

It is important to establish a baseline when creating a meal plan with your nutritionist so you can personalize your diet with the right foods that work for you. Nutrition and diet are not a one-size-fits-all solution and something that works for someone else may not work for you. This has to do with the fact that lots of people are eating foods that they may be intolerant to and just don’t realize it. 

What Foods Help with Fertility? 

If you are having difficulty conceiving or you simply wish to give your body the best tools in order to grow a healthy baby, your nutritionist can help you navigate the plethora of information and work with you to create a maternity meal plan to help you achieve these goals. While there are certain foods that can help with the development of your child, there are also foods that are extremely unhealthy for both you and your baby.

What Exercise Routines Should I Be Doing? 

Not all exercises are going to be right for you. Talk with your nutritionist about the different options and your history with fitness so you can find the most effective type of exercise that will get you the results you are looking for within a reasonable timeline. 

Can I Still Eat the Foods I Love and Lose Weight? 

Whatever meal plan you are your nutritionist come up with will need to be something you can realistically apply to your lifestyle.

13 Not-So-Obvious Questions to Ask Your Nutritionist 

If you love chocolate, but you are trying to lose weight, you might simply need to decrease the amount you consume. There is usually room for compromise when it comes to finding what plan suits you best, so this process is not a painful one. 

How to Increase Caloric Intake for Muscle Growth?  

If your goal is not just to lose weight, but to also become stronger, your nutritionist needs to know this. It is possible to lose body fat while also gaining muscle simultaneously, but in order to do this you will need a specific meal plan to help get you there. 

Should I Be in a Calorie Deficit? 

It is a common misconception that we need to be eating only 1200-1400 calories to lose weight. Yes, you need to be in a caloric deficit in order to lose weight, but your caloric deficit might not be that low. Many of us have, in fact, been consuming too few calories already for far too long. This causes the metabolism to slow way down, thus you wind up burning fewer calories. The good news is that this can be reversed. 

How Do I Lose Weight Sustainably Without Suppressing My Diet? 

There are many methods to lose weight. If you are not interested in a diet that involves appetite suppressors, simply let the nutritionist know so you can come up with a better plan that works for you.

What Habits Can I Incorporate into My Day-To-Day Routine? 

It’s not always about diet alone. There are other things you can do in your day-to-day routine that can help you along the way through your weight loss journey. Something as simple as incorporating a 15-minute walk every day can make a huge impact

Are Any of My Current Habits Hurting My Cause to Lose Weight? 

Sometimes we get in the way of our own progress without even realizing how much certain habits impact our health and our ability to reach our goals. This I true for weight loss as well. Go over your everyday habits like sleep schedule and snack times with your nutritionist so you can get to the bottom of why you may not be as successful as you’d like when it comes to your weight loss goals. 

How Do I Increase My Metabolism? 

It is possible to optimize your metabolism with both diet and exercise. Ask your nutritionist what they recommend so you can give yourself every advantage to reach your goals.

What Supplements Should I Be Taking? 

Even if we eat all the right things and follow the plan perfectly, sometimes there are still gaps in our nutrition that are difficult to fill. Luckily, there are supplements available for just about anything you might need, and your nutritionist should have a list of recommendations based on the most recent bloodwork from your primary care physician should you choose to share that information with them. 

How do I Know if I’m Mineral Deficient? 

Unfortunately, mineral deficiency is something that many of us are facing these days. The good news is that it is fairly simple to correct. The catch is determining exactly what your deficiencies are. This can be determined by an order of bloodwork from your physician, as well as physical signs in the body.

How To Read Nutrition Labels 

For those of us who are not trained, trying to decipher nutritional labels can be a very difficult task. Fortunately, your nutritionist can help you with this. If you chose to consume anything processed, it is vital that you understand what you are consuming. 

Conclusion 

A Nutritionist can help you navigate the waters of diet and weight loss if you are having trouble achieving your goals. If you have never enlisted the help of a nutritionist before you should prepare by determining what your goals are and what might be possible challenges, you face that hinder you from reaching those goals. Ask questions that are aligned with both your goals and challenges in order to personalize your journey and help you become successful. Utilize some of the 13 no-so-obvious questions we provided and good luck on your journey. 

Author

  • Dr. Bradley Lynch

    Dr. Bradley Lynch is a board-certified sports medicine physician with a Bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Michigan and a medical degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He completed his residency training in Family Medicine at the University of California, San Diego and a fellowship in Sports Medicine at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic. With over 10 years of experience in the medical field, Dr. Lynch is an expert in sports injuries, musculoskeletal ultrasound, and overall health and wellness. As an author at FitGAG, he shares his knowledge and expertise on a variety of topics, including sports injury prevention, musculoskeletal ultrasound techniques, and overall health and wellness tips. Dr. Lynch believes that a holistic approach to health and wellness is essential for optimal performance and well-being, and he strives to inspire his readers to prioritize movement, proper nutrition, and self-care. Through his articles, Dr. Lynch aims to empower his readers to achieve their fitness goals, overcome injuries, and enhance their overall quality of life.

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