Consultation on nutrition and diet is a service provided by a nutritionist. This service is provided to patients who want to improve their nutritional intake and get the right diet, according to their health condition.
Nutrition and diet consultations are useful for people who want to change their lifestyle to be healthier, for example people who want to have an ideal body weight. In addition, this consultation is also useful for people with certain diseases who require special diet and nutritional intake.
Nutrition consultation generally includes four stages, namely:
- Examination of all aspects of the patient's life, including health conditions, lifestyle, diet, behavior and mindset, environment, and social background
- Planning diet and the right form of exercise or exercise for the patient, based on the results of previous examinations
- Discuss with the patient the purpose of the plan that has been made, and ask the patient to carry out the plan, so that the patient gets the expected results
- Evaluation of the patient's results and progress
The four stages are carried out by continuously generating interest and enthusiasm in the patient. In other words, nutrition and diet consultation must be accompanied by the patient's commitment to make changes to their old habits.
Indications for Nutrition Consultation and Diet
Nutritional and dietary consultations may be performed to assist with treatment or meet nutritional needs in patients with the following conditions:
- Overweight or obesity
- Malnutrition or poor nutrition
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure or hypertension
- Inflammation of the intestine
- Celiac Disease
- Allergy
- Kidney illness
- Heart disease
- Cancer
Consultation on nutrition and diet can also be undertaken by pregnant women, nursing mothers, and women who are planning a pregnancy. By undergoing nutrition and diet consultations, a nutritionist will ensure that both mother and baby get the nutrients they need.
Preparation and Implementation of Nutrition and Dietary Consultation
Consultation on nutrition and diet generally does not require special preparation. Patients can directly visit a nutritionist to discuss nutritional intake and diet, weight problems, or recommended diets for their health problems.
The implementation of the nutrition and diet consultation begins with questions and answers regarding the patient's condition, including medical history, medications being consumed, lifestyle, and daily eating patterns.
The doctor will also ask about factors that can affect the patient's nutritional intake, such as daily activities, education level, economic level, and occupation.
After that, the doctor will check the patient's physical condition, including measuring height and weight, body fat percentage, and visceral fat. The doctor will also carry out supporting examinations, such as blood tests to see blood sugar, cholesterol, and fat levels.
The next step the doctor does is to check the patient's cognitive function and mental condition. This examination aims to find out how the patient thinks and feels about his self-image, the diet he has been living so far, and the planning of the eating pattern that he will undergo later.
For example, obesity can occur because someone uses food as an outlet for emotions or stress. In conditions like this, eating patterns will be difficult to do before the patient can get a solution to control his stress and emotions.
Therefore, nutritionists need to change the patient's mindset and habits first. If necessary, the doctor will advise the patient to undergo therapy with a psychologist or psychiatrist.
After all the stages above are completed, the doctor will make a diet that must be followed by the patient, based on the patient's condition and needs.
After Nutrition and Diet Consultation
Nutritional and dietary consultations generally only last a few hours. After the consultation is complete, the patient will be advised to apply the advice given by the doctor.
It is important to remember that optimal health conditions can be achieved by patients with improved nutritional intake and diet, if:
- Patients have a strong inner awareness and will to deal with nutritional and dietary problems.
- The patient adheres to the diet that has been prepared by the doctor at the consultation session.
- Patients make healthy eating a habit.
The implementation of eating patterns according to doctor's recommendations generally must be done in the long term. Patients also need regular check-ups with the doctor to evaluate the results achieved. If necessary, the doctor will make some changes to the previous diet settings so that the results are better.
