Maximize Your Soul’s Growth Blog
Read In 181 Countries and 7,447 Cities Around The World
What Does a Nutritionist Do and How Can They Help You?
So, what does a Nutritionist do? Many people still don’t know. And how do Nutritionists compare to Dieticians? And what are some examples of cases that I have helped with in my decade long career of being a Nutritionist?
What does a Nutritionist do?
Nutritionists go to school for up to two years, depending on whether they are in the full-time or part-time program. All they study is food and the body. It is a very intensive program yet at the end of it, they still don’t know all there is to know about nutrition; there is so much to know!
I believe that every person can benefit from seeing a Nutritionist, unless you have done a lot of research yourself on how to feed your family healthily. It is particularly important to see a Nutritionist if you believe your child has an issue with food. I now know that the first person I should have taken my daughter, Taylor, to when she was in so much pain (with constipation from adverse food reactions) was a Nutritionist. Unfortunately, like most people, I didn’t know that we needed one. I thought our family was eating healthy foods. In fact, I was wrong. In addition, I learned that healthy foods for one person could be completely unhealthy for another.
The job of a Nutritionist is to help you identify and eliminate any health issues that your child is experiencing by recognizing symptoms. If they believe your child needs further testing or help, Nutritionists will recommend you to other complementary practitioners.
Nutritionists can help you detect food sensitivities/allergies or nutritional deficiencies and then assist you in devising a plan to change your child’s diet. If you determine the foods to which your child reacts and your findings include one of the major food groups, such as dairy and wheat, you might ask yourself, “What can I feed my child?” A Nutritionist will teach you exactly what to feed your child, what the alternatives are and ensure that your child does not miss out on any important nutrients. They will even supply you with recipes and books to assist you, so that you do not need to do any of your own research if you don’t want to!
Again, in choosing a Nutritionist, you will want to make an appointment with someone that has been recommended to you. One that has his or her own children would also be best, as children do have different interests and requirements, when it comes to food and nutrition, than adults do. You may often find that Nutritionists, who are also mothers, became Nutritionists because of issues they were trying to get to the bottom of with their own children.
What is the difference between a nutritionist and a dietician?
A dietician knows a lot about food and is linked with the medical field. They are usually recommended by doctors and often work in hospitals. They are big proponents of dairy, along with other foods that have been proven to present health challenges for the majority of people. Dieticians also do not have training in nutritional supplements and natural remedies. Many dieticians are now calling themselves Nutritionists, so make sure you understand the distinction between the two professions.
Children I have helped as a Nutritionist
It is through my knowledge of food, supplements, food sensitivity testing and life coaching that I have had the privilege of helping so many children recover from symptoms and conditions over the years. Many Nutritionists could share similiar stories as to how they have helped others. Here are a few of the children that I have worked with:
- Certainly, helping one teen overcome major depression that had him living in his parents’ basement for 5 years, on three major drugs, not completing high school or acquiring his driver’s license had to have been one of my largest achievements. I will never forget when he showed up for his final appointment, driving his mother, after having just acquired his driver’s license the week before. He is now at Georgian College studying how to help other teens overcome depression.
- I have helped children with Autism and ADD considerably reduce their symptoms. One boy was not able to ride a bike because his concentration was so poor; he is thoroughly enjoying riding his bike this summer!
- One child simply came to me for food sensitivity testing. His parents took him off the foods that showed up as problematic for him and he is now off his puffer.
- One girl was throwing up small amounts, up to ten times an hour, all day long. It was her digestive system that needed healing. She is now on the road to recovery.
- Another girl was having major weight issues. By eliminating three food groups and going on a cleanse, she is now approaching her ideal weight.
- One child had been diagnosed with anxiety disorder at the age of 6. Through food sensitivity testing, dietary changes and just 2 coaching sessions, her anxiety diminished significantly.
I have helped children overcome eczema and rashes, chronic ear infections, recurring colds and congestion, colic, constipation, diarrhea, behavioural challenges, poor sleeping, food sensitivities and allergies, and more.
When I teach future Nutritionists pediatric nutrition, I share these stories with them so that they can see how powerful our work can be and come to believe in the difference each of them can make in the life of another. I remain overcome with gratitude for my girls in sending me in the direction of helping others heal, for there is nothing I would rather be doing with my life.
I would love your feedback! And please leave a link back to your own blog if you have one via the commentluv feature here on the site. If you love this blog, please consider voting for us as a top mommy blog! You will find the vote button in the sidebar to the right!
Until next time,
Meredith
Great overview Meredith…it is so important in this world that now hosts an abundance of information to have someone to trust in our area that lives and works and has credibility. Sometimes it can be hard to discern what is right for us – however, it usually is because we are not taking the time to listen to our own inner wisdom. Thanks for following your heart and doing what you love!!
How on earth do I explain the way in which your words have just touched my soul? Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Karen for taking the time to write and for your words of appreciation. Yes, in this age of information, it is so hard to discern the information we need in order to stay healthy in the most unhealthy world that has ever existed. It is an honour and a pleasure to serve in the field of natural health and I know the other nutritionists feel the same way. I will continue to follow my heart and help make the lives of others that much easier, just as you do, Karen. With much gratitude…
Meredith
Thank you for the clarification!!
Honestly, I guess I thought they were pretty much the same thing until now.
I am happy to have clarified things for you!
Meredith
[…] MY Health & Nutrition NewsAllabthealth.com: Health Articles, Health Magazine, Health News, Wellness and InformationThe Resourceful Mother […]
Meredith,
I’m not a child. I am 71 yrs old. How can a nutritionist help me. I’m tired of pills.
Hi John,
Yes taking pills and dealing with the side effects is sometimes not fun. Your particular health challenges would determine whether I am the best person to help you or if there is another nutritionist I would recommend to you. Nutritionists can help with any health challenge and they use diet and natural supplements to help you feel better. It is never too late to turn things around. Please email me at meredith@theresourecefulmother.com if you are interested in discussing this further. if you are interested in discussing this further. I help people over the phone or in person and try to only talk/meet only once and then we follow up by email to see how things are going.
Looking forward to helping you,
Meredith
[…] Open Eye Health – Simple Ideas for Natural LivingFind Drug Recall Lawyers And Resource, Latest Medical Devices Injury News – PharmawatchdogWeight Watchers Recipes With PointsOptx 20/20 BlogHealth Guide BlogTitle UnknownNatural Weight Loss ProgramsWhat's Up, USANAThe Resourceful Mother […]
Meredith,
We have an appt. with a local nutritionist next week. I know my entire family will benefit, but we looked into the meeting because of my daughter. She is 11 years old, 5’2″ and 185 lbs. She was diagnosed last winter with hypothyroidism and we had hoped that the medication would help her weight get under control. Unfortunately she has put on 15 lbs since. She also has Eczema, so we avoid white bread- Lactose intolerance, so she drinks lactose free milk; And I think she may suffer with IBS though she’s never been diagnosed.While I want so bad to help her with these things I don’t want to single her out and make her feel more self conscious than she already does. I feel like I should add that her older sister (by 2 1/2 years) is only 4’11” and less than a hundred lbs with no special dietary needs so this adds to the frustration of my youngest daughter. Do you have any advice or suggestions before we go to this meeting? Thank You, Regina
I tell you what. Go to your meeting and if you don’t see major results within 3 months, please contact me. I have dealt with these challenges in many, many clients and am helping more and more children with hypothyroidism and weight challenges. Identifying the specific problematic foods for your daughter and further dietary changes will be your best allies.
Meredith
Hey, I’m in college right now trying to figure out what career path I want to take. I was thinking about going to school to be a nutritionist, and was wondering if you have any advice for me? What jobs I could get? Just really anything you feel I should know before choosing this path.
Hi Rachael. I have a lot of people contact me looking for this type of information. Please email me directly at meredith@theresourcefulmother.com and we can set up a 15 minute time period in which to talk.
Meredith
I am studying to be a nutrititionist, and during this assignment came across your website. Thank you for the information it was very informative. i decided to become a nutritionist because I had experienced the trauma to mother and child when a child had ADD and particular foods were triggering the behaviour patterns. And because doctors don’t study nutrition they just put the behaviour down to boys will be boys, and give them medication to control the behaviour. I was wondering if you had established any effective relationships within the health industry to help you along the way. and how would I go about establishig effective relationships with people that may help my profession.
hi i just found your website and I have an adopted daughter who in her first three years of her life she only had milk and malto meal, we had to teach her to swallow, chew. Now at age 11 she still only weighs 51 lbs and is at 1 percent in bmi, weight and height. When she eats it takes her forever to eat something, and doesn’t enjoy eating at all. She will not do snacks, but in the middle of the night she will sneak food, mostly sweet things. She has not gained any weight for a year and her height has plateaued. I think its all in her mind its something she can control. I have an appt with the endocronologist and a nutritionist this week. Her protein levels were way down, when she does eat and I stay on top of her she eats good, I can’t control lunch because she is at school. Any ideas??????
I have worked with this many times but I need to ask you a series of questions in order to narrow down the culprits and there are culprits here. If you don’t get satisfactory answers after u see the experts u plan to see, we can arrange a phone appointment and go over everything. Its not just in her mind although that plays a role.
Meredith
I went to the nutritionist and she suggested a 200 to 300 calorie snack before bed to hopefully stop the getting up and maybe do some shakes. She also said to make sure she uses the restroom before she eats and wait until a half hour after she eats to go because she will go to the bathroom right after she eats. That’s about all she suggested I would be interested in hearing what you think the culprits are she suggested talking to her therapist about possibly a eating disorder. I don’t want to put my phone number on here.
In my mind, that advice is not getting at the root cause of her challenges. Please email me at mdeasley@rogers.com and let me know some times in which you might be free to have a phone consultation this week. I will help you get to the bottom of this.
Hello, your article has been extremely helpful to me. I have been having a hard time being confident in my career choice. I wanted to be a nurse and actually enrolled into school for it, but I also have a passion for food and I really didn’t know how to get past both choices. I also try to do things as holistically as possible. I am an in home caregiver now, I take care of older folks and I see how many medications they use that just cause other problems and I thought that I could make a difference if I was a nurse, but the more I know about nursing the more I see how they rely on medications and it makes me sad. That isn’t who I want to be. I want to make a difference for people and my own family. My only concern is what kinds of jobs can I get being a nutritionist? I don’t need to make a lot of money, but I do want my family to be taken care of. Could you recommend where I should start? And the last question, is it a highly competitive field? Im in the nice girls finish last category, but I prefer to accept that I’m not last, just running a different race. Thanks!
Hi Rachel. Would you like to speak for 15 minutes to address the answers to your questions? If so please email me some times in which you are free. My email address is mdeasley@rogers.com
Meredith
[…] learning how well read my blog was on the role of nutritionists, I thought you might be interested in learning more! It is incredible to watch the rapidly […]
I am only 13 and I weigh 173 pounds! How can Iose weight??
I can help you do this. I have helped other children with this. Please ask your mom or dad if we can have a phone appointment and then contact me and let me know. I would love to help you feel better than you have in years!
Meredith
Hi Meredith! I am an undergrad student and I am thinking of taking nutritional science at UofT. UofT’s nutritional science study doesn’t really design for dietitian but I am really interested in nutritional science. So I may choose to be a nutritionist instead. Your experience sounds rewarding. I am curious about the job market of nutritionist. Is it nearly saturated or still in demand?
Hi Hilary! Dietitians obtain more work than nutritionists. Dietitians believe that dairy and wheat are vital in our diet and nutritionists see the many symptoms, conditions and disease that can be caused or worsened by these foods. There are more and more nutritionists graduating every year and the consensus seems to be that we cannot make a living just doing nutritional consultations – we have to be entrepreneurs doing a number of jobs. I, for example, do consultations, seminars, food sensitivity testing and kids life coaching. Hope this gives you enough information 🙂
Meredith
So how did u become a nutritionist I want to be one for my future aspiration. So i wanted to know what u did to become one. Your blog says your a pediatric nutritionist so does that mean you work with kids and kids only?
You go to nutrition school. I am not sure where you are located but CSNN is the school I attended and they have locations all across Canada. I call myself a pediatric nutritionist because I have focused on helping babies and kids for the past 16 years but I am trained to help all ages. So sorry for my delay in getting back to you…my social media expert retired recently!
Very useful information. I am a young man who want to know how to feed my family in the future. Thank you for your doing this article.
From Lima, Perú.
Best Wishes.
Ytalo Sevillano.
Hi,
I still cannot differentiate between a nutritionist and dietitian and it is so similar its making me confused. Could you please elaborate on it? Thank you very much 🙂
A dietician is endorsed by the medical community. They believe in the value of dairy and wheat, despite the way these foods are now processed and the harm they are causing many individuals. They are not trained in the emotional connection to physical challenges the way nutritionists are. These are the main differences but there are more. I apologize for my delay in getting back to you – I was unable to login to word press for weeks 🙁
Nice teachings i love it keep it up.
My question is should a 3months old baby be fed with food?
No, a baby’s intestinal holes are not closed up at 3 months so if solids were to be fed, they would go right into the bloodstream and set the stage for allergy. 6 months is the ideal time to start!
Just reading your post really helps put things into perspective. At the end of the day, health practitioners really need to realize: patients are king! Providing insightful, helpful advice at crucial points in patients’ lives can make all the difference to them. Keep up the great work, your posts have always been helpful Meredith! Take care.