Finding the Right Nutritionist for You
I am now the proud mother of two young boys. Jack is almost four years old and Hunter is 9 months. After Jack was born I went through a major adjustment period, as do all new moms. However, after Hunter’s birth (that being NOW), I am finding this need to redefine myself both personally and professionally.
Many many years ago (like 25), I wondered why the doctors I visited (all too frequently) for my asthma and allergies never questioned if my food intake was affecting my health. Around that same time I started cooking in a local health food joint and happened upon a book, Food and Healing by Annemarie Colbin, PhD. I must say my world was rocked. I became convinced that what I ate had EVERYTHING to do with my health (Duh!). Thus, I said no more to these doctors and sought out someone who could not only medicate me if needed, but also look at my diet and other lifestyle factors to determine what was really making me sick.
So, at the ripe age of 17 I had my first appointment with Dr. Sherry Rogers, a pioneer in environmental medicine (what we now call integrative medicine). To make a long story short, she put me on a special diet (to address my asthma and allergies), gave me vitamin and mineral supplements (after checking for deficiencies), allergy shots (after testing for allergies) and one or two medications (rather than the 5 I was on).
Let’s talk about the diet. Thank goodness I worked at a health food store, was passionate about food and food products and loved to cook. Compliance was easy. And what was a necessity (food lifestyle change to support my health) soon became a bleeding passion (bordering on obsession at times) and the center stone of my personal journey.
But, what if I didn’t have that knowledge and interest? How could I have changed the course of my health? This question sat with me for many years. Fast forward to 1997 when I entered culinary school. Soon after I graduated a dear friend’s father became ill with lung cancer and asked me to cook for him. This led to others. But because I wasn’t a huge fan of private cooking (too isolating for me), I figured that there had to be another way to help those in need of food lifestyle change.
New business idea! Bridge the gap between a practitioners’ dietary recommendations and what the client can and will do to implement the suggested changes—bring the nutrition prescription to the living kitchen. I traveledv this road personally, so why not turn it into my profession? By 2003 I felt comfortable calling myself a culinary nutritionist. I was a professionally trained chef and had a Masters degree from Columbia University. So, this brings me to my question: What is a nutritionist and who is qualified to call themselves this?
In the process of redefining myself professionally, I have been asking myself this question daily. I am a chef with a Masters in nutrition. Does that qualify me? Would I have been qualified if I did a 6-month program in NYC? As far as many registered dietitians (those who study nutrition—Bachelors, Masters or both—then go through an internship with clinical, food service and community rotations) are concerned, neither is enough to wear the “nutritionist badge”. I beg to differ. I believe the answer truly lies with the consumer (yes, that is YOU!). But, you must be an educated consumer!!!
I always like to use this example: When buying a car, a person takes the time to research the make, model, take it for a test drive, look into financing options, etc. So, why don’t we take the same measures when seeking a nutritionist (or other healthcare provider for that matter)? Research a potential healthcare provider as you would a car. They work for you thus it is your job to seek out your best match and “hire” them to support you in the best way possible.
As a patient, I always follow these guidelines:
-Identify my healthcare need
-Go to the people I know and trust (especially my current healthcare posse) and ask for suggestions
-Research suggested provider on web (formal education—and you need to decide what is formal enough for you to make him/her credible; philosophy; scope of services)
-Make sure that the provider is doing what he/she is qualified to do (I once worked with a woman with cancer whose yoga instructor prescribed herbs for her that were contraindicated to the medication she was on for cancer—bad news!!!). You can find this out by speaking to potential provider, other patients on the web (if he/she has a website).
-Make sure provider is not claiming to be everything under the sun (which can be the case and is just not possible). Again, you can find this out by speaking to potential provider, other patients on the web (if he/she has a website).
-If possible, speak directly to provider prior to arranging appointment
In the end, it is up to you to decide whom you want to partner with on your road to wellness. An educated consumer is the best consumer. And, asking the right questions will ensure that you are working with the right person for you.
As for me, although I am always and will always be redefining myself both personally and professionally, I am comfortable calling myself a culinary nutritionist given my formal training. In the end, I know what I know and I know what I don’t know! (And when I don’t know, I refer out to tried and true colleagues).
- Posted by Stefanie on July 15, 2009 at 8:21 am
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Tagged as: allergies, integrative medicine, medication, minerals, nutrition, nutritionist, vitamins
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You sound very qualified to me. Where did you go to cooking school. I went to Boston University and then onto the Cordon Bleu… oh I loved it. I loved it…. I cook and I am happy… but then I had so many things I was passionate about I just keep adding on new things.. I love to learn. Back to you. It sounds like you have a great bs. idea try making a plan. See where that hits..I think this is a wonderful idea and I would love to have those services available. Good Luck. Callie
What is a nutritionist and who is qualified to call themselves this?
It all depends on what state you are in. You need to look at your state laws regarding it. In NY you have to be licensed to be a nutrition”ist”. It is that “ist” at the end of it that makes the difference. Holistic Health counselors and others can give nutrition counseling but can not call themselves a nutritionist. Hope this helps… Cathy
Stephanie, this blog was wonderful! I am a dietetics major at Kansas State University and am very excited to become a ‘nutritionist’! I read your bio a couple months ago on Kris’ page, and was so inspired! I ALSO looked into going to the culinary school in which you attended, which is cool.
I think that food and education can seriously change the world. Diet can make people more peaceful and healthier among other things, and really that’s where it starts. I am so excited that you wrote this blog today! So much great advice for folks wanting to make positive changes in their lives.
Bravo to you and what you do!!
Sincerely,
Kat Ruyle
Callie,
Thank you. It actually is my business and have been working with people on food lifestyle change for over 10 years now. You can take a look at my site, http://www.stefaniesacks.com. I wish there were more people doing what I do. Perhaps it would make for a healthier nation.
Thank you Cathy. I am awaiting the specific legal details so we can further discuss. I will get back to you all on this. It can be very confusing for there is a certified nutrition specialist, certified nutrition educator, registered dietitian, nutritionist and so on (and words are used together, interchangeably,etc). That being said, I still believe it all boils down to doing your research and finding someone who works for you.
And Kat, thank you for your support! Good luck to you and if I can be of any assistance, feel free to e mail me.
I wish there was someone like you in the Dallas/ Ft. Worth area. RAther, I wish he or she was easier to find.
Excellent post – just completed “Food as Medicine” conference in DC last month and was sooooo happy to find that of the nearly 500 attending, 1/4 were physicians. I became friends with a young MD who told me she was thoroughly confused – others were verbally angry, felt like they were in essence being told they had been “bad” doctors, but for the most part, most were open-minded and wanted to know how they could implement this into their own practices – a step in the right direction!
I watched my own mother more than 25 years ago who was a breast cancer survivor for 17 years, go totally raw for two years. I watched her during those two years look more alive, more vibrant than I had ever seen her. She grew her wheatgrass, sprouted, juiced….but she received no support from anyone, not even me. I am an RN, but at that time, very traditional. I wanted to see research, but there was none.
Times have changed. There is now an abundance of research. The public is open and ready. As the doc who was in charge of the DC meeting said, “The time is now!”
As with everything, there is the good, bad and the ugly – choose wisely!
PS The new “tag” is “functional medicine”!
A very distinct thought but I would suggest everyone to add up some YOGA, MEDITATION and INDIAN AYURVEDA in order to make it perfect because we will always have to look back to nature in times of crisis.
Rick
I went to half.com and found this book at a steal. Look forward to reading it! I’ve already noticed subtle changes in my body due to reducing caffeine, hoping to find more inspiration through this book!
Great post, Stefanie and so relevant to what we have discussed…as for me still weighing my options. When you figure out legally what everyone can be “called” let me know!
Great post, I wonder who would be best for me. My 6 year old has Neurofibromatosis a tumor disease. He also has high total and LDL cholesterol. They will drug him a couple years. He sees an Endocrine doctor but I would love to find an Integrative Health doctor and solution. Any ideas?