What Can I Expect During My First Visit with a Registered Dietitian?

During your first appointment, we will review your medical history, body weight history, diet history, recent blood work results and your typical eating pattern and lifestyle. We will get a clear understanding of why you are seeking the aid of a Registered Dietitian for Medical Nutrition Therapy.  We will discuss your triggers for overeating, if applicable and will advise you on the relationship between your current eating/exercise patterns and your health.

Please be assured that we understand how difficult it is to change eating behaviors.  Behavior change is one of the hardest things to ask a person to do.  It takes months, sometimes even years, to truly change some behaviors.  We will help you set goals so that you can gradually make the changes necessary for improved health.  We will constantly reassess the goals with you and change them if needed. 

Will I Have to Follow a Strict Diet?

You will not be following a “diet”.  We do not use the word “diet” in our practice.  Anyone can follow a piece of paper with a list of foods to eat and not to eat.  However, dieting yields short-term results.  You will receive a meal plan that can be as flexible or strict as you wish.  This meal plan can be changed any number of times to provide consistent results that will last long-term. 

One of our goals is to help you adjust to your healthier eating and exercise habits throughout all kinds of situations including, eating out, traveling, holiday meals, stressful times, etc.

One of our favorite mottos is “All Foods Can Fit”.  There is no need to turn your back on all your favorite foods.  What we teach you is to include these foods in moderation.   

What Happens After the First Appointment?

During the second visit, you will be educated on the individualized meal plan that was customized for you.  In subsequent visits, we will track your progress in achieving your goals and make changes to your meal plan as needed.   We will discuss what worked well for you and what were obstacles for you. We will cover many behavior modification topics and provide you with strategies to practice at home.  We will also develop an exercise plan with you, as exercise is a very important part of a healthy lifestyle. 

Is There a Maintenance Plan for Me to Follow Once I Achieve My Weight Loss Goal?

Once you successfully meet your goal, we will reassess your caloric needs and develop a maintenance plan for you.  During the first week we will increase your caloric intake by 50 calories and monitor your weight.  Each week thereafter we will gradually increase your calories until your new caloric needs are met by your meal plan.  Initially you will weigh-in weekly but as we move forward in the maintenance plan, you will begin to weigh-in less frequently.  However, it is important to note that if you prefer more frequent weigh-ins, we will accommodate your request.  Once your weight has stabilized and you are eating the right amount of calories for good health, you are encouraged to check in every 3 months for the first 6-12 months after meeting your goals.  Then an annual Nutrition Check-Up will keep you on track for your lifetime. 

Do You See Children in Your Practice?

Yes, we see children of all ages.  Some of the pediatric conditions we treat include weight loss, weight gain, failure to thrive, diabetes, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome, to name a few.  

Will My Insurance Cover These Consultations?

Our services are covered by many major health insurance companies.  However, each contract varies depending upon the agreement with your employer. Please check out our Insurance Information page for more information.  We would be happy to contact your insurance company to see if you are eligible for coverage.  To take advantage of this service, please fill out the Insurance Form on the bottom of the Insurance Information page.  If you do not have these benefits, talk to your benefits department to get medical nutrition therapy covered as a benefit.