Dietitian
Dietician
Dietician
Dietician
Who are Dietitians?
Dietitians are healthcare professionals with a degree in foods and nutrition, and a passion for helping patients understand the role that diet, food, and nutrition play in their lives.
Their goal is to put scientific dietary and nutrition information into layman’s terms to make it more accessible to their clients, enabling them to make positive food choices, decipher food labels, and develop eating plans which fuel their body with the vitamins and nutrients they require. They are committed to continual education, which means they stay up to date on all of the latest findings, techniques, and approaches to nutrition, while adhering to Principles of Professional Practice. They take time to get to know each client and understand their unique needs, challenges, and goals using their knowledge to provide practical guidance and recommendations. Toronto Dietitians take a holistic approach to health, which means they work collaboratively with other health care professionals to develop the best treatment plan for each patient’s particular needs.
Why should I visit a dietitian?
Although the Internet is an invaluable tool, it can also be a source of misinformation. Unfortunately, when researching food and nutrition or chronic pain management, many patients stumble upon unhealthy fad diets or unreliable information and advice online. Visiting a registered dietitian can help you to distinguish fact from fiction through teaching which foods will alleviate symptoms and which food or supplements should be avoided. It also gives you an opportunity to discuss your specific concerns with a knowledgeable health care professional that can answer all of your questions in a clear and coherent manner.
What can I expect when visiting a dietitian?
During your first appointment with your dietitian in Toronto, you will be asked a series of questions about the types of food you eat and the frequency of your meals as well as your medication usage, medical history, lifestyle, and what symptoms or pain you are experiencing.
You’ll also have an opportunity to ask any questions that you may have and to discuss your specific concerns. In most cases, you will be asked to keep a food log to keep track of everything that you eat. In addition to tracking what you eat and how frequently, you will be asked to keep a record of how the food makes you feel. Although you will be provided with guidance about what food to eat and what food to avoid, your dietitian will also provide you with a meal plan and help you establish attainable goals. While follow up appointments are not required, they are recommended, as they provide you with an opportunity to review your progress with your dietitian. This can help keep you accountable to your nutritional goals while also giving you a chance to discuss any questions or concerns that may arise after your first appointment.
What symptoms can a dietitian help manage?
Dietitians can help patients with a number of different conditions and symptoms, including:
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Cancer
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Celiac disease
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Osteoporosis
- Heart disease
- Malnutrition
- Allergies
- Gluten sensitivity or intolerance
- Dairy sensitivity or intolerance
- Chronic pain
How can a Toronto dietitian help with chronic pain?
Individuals who suffer from chronic pain experience unpleasant sensory or emotional discomfort for three or more consecutive months.
In many cases, this pain is debilitating, which makes it difficult to concentrate, sleep, work, and enjoy life. As a result, individuals dealing with chronic pain are four times more likely to experience depression, which can have a tremendous impact on their relationships, professional success, and quality of life. Although food is not typically the first way one thinks to manage their pain, a dietitian can provide dietary and lifestyle interventions which can reduce your discomfort.
Dietitians have the following goals when treating chronic pain:
Balance nutrients and blood glucose levels: Because chronic pain often prevents patients from sleeping throughout the night, dietitians look for ways to balance nutrients and blood glucose levels to promote a better night’s sleep.
Prevent malnutrition: Chronic pain often causes patients to lose their appetite, which can lead to weight loss and malnutrition. Dietitians work with patients to employ strategies, which prevent malnutrition.
Increase Omega 3 consumption: A diet which is rich in Omega 3 can reduce pain sensation and mitigate the necessity for anti-inflammatory medications. A dietitian can suggest ways of increasing your Omega 3 consumption to naturally manage your pain.
Identify food intolerances: Food intolerances can be a source of chronic pain as they frequently cause headaches, sinus pain, and abdominal pain. A dietitian can work with you to determine which food(s) triggers your symptoms, empowering you with the knowledge necessary to manage and prevent your pain.
Manage side effects: Many patients suffering from chronic pain take pain medications to alleviate their symptoms. However, these medications frequently have their own side effects such as nausea, constipation, and diarrhea. An expert dietitian can provide you with tips to help manage these unpleasant side effects.
Reduce your risk of depression: Research suggests that your diet actually has a direct impact on your state of mind. Since patients suffering from chronic pain are more susceptible to depression, a healthy diet that reduces stress and improves mood can be used to reduce the risk.
Go Painless
Our team at Painless Medicine and Therapeutics focuses on improving our patient’s pain conditions.
Our goal and philosophy is to make the patient’s therapeutic experience as painless as possible by finding a therapeutic plan that best treats their symptoms and lifestyle. We truly believe in collaboration and working closely with patients so that they have control over their medication, and so that the treatment aligns with our clinic’s values.
In cases where chronic pain cannot be cured, but instead must be effectively managed, our team’s purpose is to limit the complications and to minimize the severity of the symptoms experienced by the patient. We wish to optimize our patients’ control over their pain so they feel enabled to be the best possible version of themselves and enjoy life again.
If you are suffering from a chronic pain condition, we highly suggest that you visit our clinic in Toronto to see what we can do for you.
