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How Can a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Help?

Oct 24, 2022 | Tara Schmidt | @taraschmidt | Comments (11)

Written by Jamie Pronschinske, RDN, CD

Lifestyle changes like following a healthy eating plan, achieving a healthy weight and regular physical activity can significantly improve your health, reduce risk of developing chronic illnesses, and help you manage symptoms or slow progression of current chronic illnesses. Working with a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) to make these changes can improve long term success.

RDNs are food and nutrition experts who have graduated with at least a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, completed an accredited supervised dietetic internship, passed a national examination and who must complete ongoing continuing professional education requirements to maintain registration.

An RDN will partner with you to develop a safe and realistic eating plan that you can stick with for the long haul. To guide and motivate you, an RDN will use creative and out-of-the-box strategies to help with meal planning, grocery shopping and mindful eating.

What can you expect while meeting with an RDN?

  • A thorough review of medical history, current diet, and eating habits
  • Development of a personalized nutrition plan that takes into consideration:
    • Food preferences, allergies, and intolerances
    • Lifestyle
    • Finances
    • Ability to shop for and prepare food
    • Multiple or conflicting diet/nutrition needs
  • Focus on foods to include, not just what to avoid
  • Support in identifying and overcoming barriers
  • Guidance setting individualized goals

Most often a referral from your health care provided is needed to work with an RDN. Cost of RDN visits vary depending on insurance type/coverage.  Ask your healthcare provider for a referral to a registered dietitian nutritionist and get started maximizing your nutrition for a better quality of life!

How has a dietitian supported you? 

2 Reactions

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eva1930 | @eva1930 | Oct 25, 2022

When I was diagnosed with CKD I talked to a dietician from the dialysis unit at our local hospital and she gave me good advise on what I should to eat which was a big help to me, Later I received advise from the Kidney Foundation.

REPLY
1 reply
Tara Schmidt | @taraschmidt | Oct 25, 2022
In reply to @eva1930 "When I was diagnosed with CKD I talked to a dietician from the dialysis unit at..." + (show)
@eva1930

When I was diagnosed with CKD I talked to a dietician from the dialysis unit at our local hospital and she gave me good advise on what I should to eat which was a big help to me, Later I received advise from the Kidney Foundation.

Jump to this post

I'm happy to hear you had a helpful experience @eva1930 ! Was transitioning to a renal diet difficult for you? That one, specifically, can have a number of restrictions!

REPLY
peggyjean | @peggyjean | Oct 26, 2022

They must understand the disease process of your diagnosis….. The one I was referred to had no idea what to eat for gastroparesis. I knew more from reading & searching on web sites than she did. I do have a medical background as an RN. I think she had pregnant brain & needed to take some time off for her delivery was in a few weeks of seeing me. Some are better than others. By trial & error & researching I have a better understanding of my own diagnosis. Educate Yourself. Good Luck!

REPLY
1 reply
toni7 | @toni7 | Oct 26, 2022

I've not always been against prescription drugs and always took what was prescribed to me.
I'm 75, when I was about 50 years old, during an unrelated office visit, the doctor did blood work for diabetes in the office. Prior to taking my blood, he never asked me if I had eaten or drank anything. I hate to admit that in those days, I was naive and completely trusted doctors.
The result was slightly higher than normal range. He ordered a second test and again was slightly higher. He prescribed Glucophage and took it as directed for probably 8 to 10 years. I began having terrible chest pain for a while and at one point I thought I was having a heart attack. One day I went to the pharmacy to pick up the Glucophage prescription and I asked the pharmacist for something over the counter for the pain. He said to immediately stop taking the Glucophage and see my doctor. To make a long story short, the doctor knew about the pain prior to this and never told me to stop taking this. What Glucophage did for me is that it totally destroyed my digestive system. To this day I suffer terribly with this disorder and nothing helps it. Since then, I am so leery about taking any drugs. I should be on an osteoporosis drug, but from a couple of negative experiences that I've had, I am afraid it will make matters worse. I try hard to eat healthy and nutritional, I take supplements. My problem is that as much research as I do about diet and supplements, I don't really know what my body needs. Wouldn't it be wonderful if Doctors worked together with Homeopathic Doctors and Nutritionist... and wouldn't it be even greater if health insurances covered these treatments.
Toni

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1 reply
eva1930 | @eva1930 | Oct 26, 2022

I use the diet as a guide only as some of the food is for people on dialysis . By doing this I have raised my eGFR from 38 to 47. I also walk more and try to exercise.I am trying to reach my personal goal of 50.

REPLY
1 reply
Tara Schmidt | @taraschmidt | Oct 27, 2022
In reply to @peggyjean "They must understand the disease process of your diagnosis….. The one I was referred to had..." + (show)
@peggyjean

They must understand the disease process of your diagnosis….. The one I was referred to had no idea what to eat for gastroparesis. I knew more from reading & searching on web sites than she did. I do have a medical background as an RN. I think she had pregnant brain & needed to take some time off for her delivery was in a few weeks of seeing me. Some are better than others. By trial & error & researching I have a better understanding of my own diagnosis. Educate Yourself. Good Luck!

Jump to this post

I agree with you, @peggyjean . At Mayo in Rochester, we have highly specialized dietitians who only see patients within 1-2 specialties, becoming experts in that area. It can absolutely be beneficial to do some of your own research, as long as you are mindful of credible websites. I'm sure as a RN you are able to decipher evidence-based advice. The internet is a scary place 🙂

REPLY
1 reply
Tara Schmidt | @taraschmidt | Oct 27, 2022
In reply to @eva1930 "I use the diet as a guide only as some of the food is for people..." + (show)
@eva1930

I use the diet as a guide only as some of the food is for people on dialysis . By doing this I have raised my eGFR from 38 to 47. I also walk more and try to exercise.I am trying to reach my personal goal of 50.

Jump to this post

Congratulations! You're so close!

REPLY
Tara Schmidt | @taraschmidt | Oct 27, 2022
In reply to @toni7 "I've not always been against prescription drugs and always took what was prescribed to me. I'm..." + (show)
@toni7

I've not always been against prescription drugs and always took what was prescribed to me.
I'm 75, when I was about 50 years old, during an unrelated office visit, the doctor did blood work for diabetes in the office. Prior to taking my blood, he never asked me if I had eaten or drank anything. I hate to admit that in those days, I was naive and completely trusted doctors.
The result was slightly higher than normal range. He ordered a second test and again was slightly higher. He prescribed Glucophage and took it as directed for probably 8 to 10 years. I began having terrible chest pain for a while and at one point I thought I was having a heart attack. One day I went to the pharmacy to pick up the Glucophage prescription and I asked the pharmacist for something over the counter for the pain. He said to immediately stop taking the Glucophage and see my doctor. To make a long story short, the doctor knew about the pain prior to this and never told me to stop taking this. What Glucophage did for me is that it totally destroyed my digestive system. To this day I suffer terribly with this disorder and nothing helps it. Since then, I am so leery about taking any drugs. I should be on an osteoporosis drug, but from a couple of negative experiences that I've had, I am afraid it will make matters worse. I try hard to eat healthy and nutritional, I take supplements. My problem is that as much research as I do about diet and supplements, I don't really know what my body needs. Wouldn't it be wonderful if Doctors worked together with Homeopathic Doctors and Nutritionist... and wouldn't it be even greater if health insurances covered these treatments.
Toni

Jump to this post

What a scary, disappointing experience, @toni7 ! Have you ever asked for a referral to Integrative Medicine? It sounds like this might be a great fit for you.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/integrative-medicine-health/sections/overview/ovc-20464567
REPLY
1 reply
toni7 | @toni7 | Oct 28, 2022
In reply to @taraschmidt "What a scary, disappointing experience, @toni7 ! Have you ever asked for a referral to Integrative..." + (show)
@taraschmidt

What a scary, disappointing experience, @toni7 ! Have you ever asked for a referral to Integrative Medicine? It sounds like this might be a great fit for you.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/integrative-medicine-health/sections/overview/ovc-20464567

Jump to this post

My current health insurance (Medicare Advantage Plans) does not cover Integrative Medicine and I cannot afford out of pocket fees. The bright side is that starting January 2023, I will be switching to United Medicare Advantage Plans. If I understand correctly from my research, Mayo Clinic will be accepting United Medicare Advantage. Is Jacksonville Mayo Clinic accepting Medicare Advantage Plans in January 2023? If so, that would be a blessing for me because I live in Florida and am on limited income. Quite frankly, I can no longer doctor myself and am in need of professional care.
Thanking you in advance,
Toni

REPLY
1 reply
peggyjean | @peggyjean | Oct 28, 2022
In reply to @taraschmidt "I agree with you, @peggyjean . At Mayo in Rochester, we have highly specialized dietitians who..." + (show)
@taraschmidt

I agree with you, @peggyjean . At Mayo in Rochester, we have highly specialized dietitians who only see patients within 1-2 specialties, becoming experts in that area. It can absolutely be beneficial to do some of your own research, as long as you are mindful of credible websites. I'm sure as a RN you are able to decipher evidence-based advice. The internet is a scary place 🙂

Jump to this post

You are so right about the internet being a scary place….I am fortunate to have a medical background & some medical site that are for medical personnel only… I also have a close niece who is a PA. I also seek out natural healing with a cautionary eye. Diet is big at our home as my Hubby is diabetic & then my diet issues too. We use very if any process foods…. I’m a scratch cook & we eat simple meals…. I fix salads for my Hubby & very cooked veggies for me etc…. It works most of the time…. Me….I walk after any meals as soon as I can after eating to get things started. Gasx Is A Close Friend of mine…. Pro & Prebiotics help! Prayers For All….

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