A dietitian’s work can not only be difficult, but challenging at times. For the most part, it is enjoyable, interesting and best of all, fulfilling. Let’s just say that being a dietitian is only a little difficult, at times.
Dietitians help others seeking advice about their health, foods and diseases, be it their clients, families or general public. This is where they play an important role in health promotion, without being biased. They are able to explain complex ideas about the science of nutrition in a simplified manner, allowing their patients the ability to make informed and educated decisions about their wellbeing.
These responsibilities to educate both their patients and general public on the science of food and nutrition, working with their dietary needs, and evaluating and improving treatments given, can sometimes be challenging.
With all new theories and fad diets coming about and capturing peoples’ attention, it’s difficult for dietitians to keep their patients interested in the healthier and proven diets they have taught about and recommended. Although a dietitian may explain the benefits of eating correctly, generally, people want to see results instantly. Where dietitians know that this can be detrimental to one’s health, although the results may be instantaneous, they will not last.
Sometimes it’s one step forward and two steps back with the patients that deviate from their plans. Whether it is a loss of will power or determination to achieve their goals, it often happens that they disregard their eating plans. In this case, a dietitian needs to either find another plan that best suits her patient’s lifestyle and needs, or find ways to motivate them further.
Although being a dietitian, you preach and teach the best way to be healthy, what to eat and what to drink, it all varies for each person and may not work as well on one as it does for another, until the root of the problem has been found. Allergies, hormones, pregnancy, stress all affect the outcome.
Each person is different, from the way that their mind works, to their entire bodies. This is where a dietitian can encounter difficulty. The same diet plan may not work the same as it does for another and may take an extended period of time to help their patient, once many factors are ruled out.
Being a superior in the subject of nutrition and health, requires a dietitian to always be in good shape. A dietitian needs to be an example to the people surrounding them and most importantly, their patients. In other words, the saying “practice what you preach” is very important.
With that said, it does become difficult to always be the example of perfection at all times. Dietitians are humans too, with cravings and downfalls. In the world we live in today, with sweets and processed, unhealthy foods being on the rise, it is important to allow a little indulgence in these. The key here, is of course, moderation.
As humans and ladies in particular, weight, cravings and water retention may fluctuate during certain times of the month. This can alter the skin, the weight and mood, presenting a non-ideal appearance. A dietitian may not always feel and be as they should, making their task as an example, a little difficult. However, no matter their exterior appearance, they do have the professional knowledge and ability to help and treat their patients in the most effective way possible.
Article by Anna Cortesi,
Personal Nutrition Coach, Dietitian & Clinical Nutritionist
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