You’ve decided to meet with a dietitian! That’s great. You are well on your way to health and weight loss success. In this article, we’ll discuss what you can expect your treatment course to look like. How often should you meet with a dietitian?

Why should you meet with a dietitian?

A registered dietitian (not the same as a nutritionist) is licensed to practice Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), however, most insurance companies cover session for preventative service as well. 

Here’s a list of common MNT diagnoses:

• Overweight or obese
• High blood pressure
• Abnormal cholesterol
• Pre-diabetes or diabetes
• Dietary surveillance and monitoring (prevention)

Any time you are looking to change your behaviors and routines around foods, consult with a dietitian. They will help you understand what changes need to happen, plus coach you to follow through with the plan.

Studies show that people who work with a dietitian have better results with weight loss and health outcomes than those who do not. 

This one specifically showed that patients receiving 3-6 sessions with a dietitian saw significantly better results lowering their cholesterol. 

What does an initial session look like?

The first step in the nutrition care process is an initial assessment to get clear on client goals, obstacles and their current starting point. Here’s a rundown of what happens in your first 60-minute session:

• 60-minute virtual session
• Assessment of intake form and diet recall
• Discuss medical and diet history
• Review long term goals and assess what’s necessary to get there
• Set daily/weekly action items that support the larger goal
• Set up your support system for optimal follow-through

The behavior change process

Knowing what to change in your diet is relatively cut and dry. Forming a true habit is more complex and takes time.

Studies dating back to the 1950’s suggest that it takes a minimum of 21 days to form a new habit. This will vary depending on complexity of the habit, barriers to success and personal traits of the individual. At best, it takes a consistent effort over a long duration to truly see results. 

Having support to help streamline logistics like meal planning and cooking, decision-making around food is vital. Having a coach to support your mindset around changes and foster personal accountability is key as well. Regular meetings to talk through difficult moments enhance the likelihood of follow through and therefore, long term success. 

Your session schedule

At your initial session, you will discuss your overall treatment plan at JD Nutrition LLC. Plans are highly individual, but we generally recommend meeting with your dietitian weekly for 3-4 weeks, then biweekly or monthly thereafter for a period of at least 3 months to instill true behavior changes.

Insurance companies often cover multiple sessions. Find out the average cost to see a dietitian here. Check in with Jackie at JD Nutrition LLC to ask about coverage and self-pay options if needed.

Meet with a dietitian for additional support

Making changes to eating habits can be a challenge and many clients thrive with additional support between sessions with their dietitians. Options include the HHSN program, food log reviews and dietitian-initiated email or text check-ins. 

Additional support packages can be discussed and purchased with your dietitian at your initial session, or at any time during treatment. 

Conclusion

How often you see a dietitian is highly individual, and at JD Nutrition LLC, you have the flexibility to choose the treatment and support plan that’s right for you. Costs vary depending on the services you use. 

For help deciding on your level of care and to discuss insurance and payment options, please contact Jackie at info@jdnutritionllc.com.