4 Ways Dietitians and Nutritionists
Can Help You Lose Weight

Is your weight loss journey not going the way you planned? It’s certainly no easy task to lose weight, especially if you experience health problems either as the result of, or cause of, the weight gain.

On top of that, conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can lead to significant hormonal changes which also affect your body’s ability to lose weight. If you’re taking certain medications to treat such a condition, this can also impact your progress.

Perhaps you’ve considered seeking professional help with your weight loss but don’t know where to start. While there are many specialists, including General Practitioners and Bariatric Physicians, two of the most common are nutritionists and dietitians.

Nutritionist vs. Dietitian: What's the Difference?

A nutritionist is a person who counsels clients on specific diet plans based on what that individual needs to lead a healthier life or reach a health-related goal. They have training in weight loss and can provide non-medical strategies to improve your well-being.

However, in some regions, the title "nutritionist" is not regulated, meaning anyone can use it. For this reason, it is imperative that you do a thorough investigation and ensure that you personally vet any potential nutritionists you might consider hiring.

A dietitian can do all the same things a nutritionist does, but the glaring difference is that a dietitian is qualified to diagnose and treat eating disorders and other specific medical conditions. You could say that all dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are dietitians.

Both professionals can work in clinical settings (like hospitals) or community settings (like schools and health clinics). For remote support, you can find an online dietitian from anywhere in the world.

How a Nutritionist or Dietitian Can Help

Nutrition is a broad and complicated subject that requires in-depth knowledge of a person’s health history, medical conditions, and any food allergies or sensitivities they may have. Here are four key ways a professional can help you lose weight:

1. Design a Proper Diet

   To effectively lose weight, one must adopt a healthy diet. In other words, you need to be eating the right food. This will ensure there are no major gaps in nutrition so that you not only lose weight but are able to do it in a healthy way and increase your overall quality of life. Nutritionists and dietitians can both teach you how to cook and prepare your meals in such a way that you can decrease your caloric intake or increase your metabolism. For those looking for convenient options that align with a nutritionist's guidance, a vegan meal delivery provider like Soulara can provide balanced, plant-based meals that support weight management and overall health.

2. Teach Portion Control

   It’s not just about what you eat. The portions of each food type you eat also play an important role in your weight loss journey. You might have categories of food such as protein, healthy fats, and carbs, but the portions of each category are going to make a huge difference when it comes to weight loss and your overall health.

3. Incorporate Regular Exercise

   Eating the right foods is a great start, but in order to achieve optimal health and wellness you need to be exercising regularly. This doesn’t necessarily mean strenuous exercises such as HIIT workouts which are not for everyone. Even something as simple as walking for 15-30 minutes a day to start will significantly increase your weight loss.

4. Guide Healthy Lifestyle Changes

   Aside from teaching you how to eat right and exercise, nutritionists and dietitians are going to help guide you through sustainable lifestyle changes and help you kick certain habits that could be holding you back from reaching your weight loss goals. Carrying on with unhealthy habits that are not in line with your new healthier lifestyle could negate some of the progress you’ve worked so hard for.

When to Seek Further Medical Help

Having a nutritionist can make a huge difference in your weight loss journey, but sometimes a nutritionist just isn’t what everyone needs. You might need a professional with more in-depth knowledge and a higher scope of practice. In some cases, you might need to seek help from a bariatrician or even a bariatric surgeon. Your Primary Care Provider (PCP) can also recommend treatments for weight loss and prescribe medications like Wegovy, but a bariatrician has expert training in treating obesity and weight loss even after medical school.

Not everyone is going to be able to get rid of unwanted weight by simply perfecting a diet and exercising regularly. Bariatricians specialize in treating patients with obesity and diseases related to it such as diabetes or sleep apnea. Bariatric surgeons specialize in weight loss surgery. Consult your PCP if you are unsure and as always, do your own research to find what works for you.

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Conclusion

A nutritionist is a professional that may or may not hold certifications or degrees depending on what state they practice in, so it is important to verify whether they are qualified to give you health advice. Dietitians can do all a nutritionist can do, plus they are qualified to diagnose and treat certain medical conditions.

They can both help you propel your weight loss by providing in-depth knowledge and a dietary plan with expertise in the subject of nutrition but be sure to ask your doctor what they recommend as those with certain health conditions like diabetes or heart disease may need a provider with a higher scope of practice.