If you have a question about food and nutrition, where do you go to find reliable answers?
Social media, Google, Health Canada, nutritionists or advice from friends and family are all common ways people seek more information, however, the reliability of some of these sources can be questionable or the advice simply difficult to understand!
Cue: dietitians.
Dietitians are trained professional who have completed rigorous education and practical training that is regulated by a provincial body (the College of Dietitians of British Columbia) in order to become certified to work. Dietitians work in many different settings with the core purpose to support people’s health and well-being through food and nutrition.
In our practice at BC Dietitians, we work with individuals and their families in many different ways, including:
- Manage chronic conditions (e.g. diabetes, IBS, or food allergies)
- Achieve health goals (e.g. lowering cholesterol or increasing iron levels)
- Prevent health issues down the line (e.g. osteoporosis or muscle loss in older adults)
- Provide answers to food and nutrition questions (e.g. balanced meals for your day-to-day life, nutrition during pregnancy, or how to transition to plant-based eating healthfully)
- Increase or support physical performance (e.g. sports nutrition and physical activity)
- Support recovery from nutrition-related conditions (e.g. eating disorders or picky eating in children)
- Provide professional accountability to keep you on track with an individualized action plan!
Reach out to a dietitian in your area if you want to explore food and nutrition-related ways to achieve your health goals! You do not need a referral from your family doctor, although you can bring any questions or concerns you have to your doctor and initiate the process through them. If you are unsure about whether a dietitian is the right person to speak to about your concerns, book a free 15 minute Discovery Call with us today to talk about what our work involves and if a dietitian is the right fit for you.
If you are wondering about how much it costs to see a dietitian, the short answer is it depends! If you are referred to a dietitian who works in the public health system, for example an outpatient diabetes management center, then it will be covered under provincial health insurance. However, these types of appointments typically require a referral from your doctor for a specific health condition and may involve a long wait-time. Private practice dietitians are an option if you would like to speak to a dietitian without needing a referral and you can book an appointment without having to wait a long time. If you have extended health coverage that includes dietitian services, then the cost will be all or partially covered. Each dietitian has a different price range – if you are interested in booking an appointment with one of our dietitians, check out our booking page for pricing information.
Remember that dietitians are here to support YOU and YOUR health goals! Make sure to take advantage of the time you have with your dietitian to answer all the questions you have – you know yourself and your body the best and we want to work together with you.
