What is Dietetics?
Dietetics is a scientific discipline that studies nutrition and its impact on human health. It focuses on the proper intake of nutrients, meal planning, and the adjustment of diets to meet specific health needs. Dietitians provide advice on maintaining a balanced diet, preventing diseases, and promoting healthy eating habits.
What Does a Nutritionist Dietitian Do?
A nutritionist dietitian provides expert advice on nutrition and health, helping people improve their eating habits and achieve optimal health. They assess nutritional needs, create personalized meal plans, and educate on proper nutrition. Nutritionists work on the prevention and management of nutrition-related diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases.
When to Schedule an Appointment with a Dietitian
You should schedule an appointment with a dietitian if you have specific health issues or dietary goals such as:
- Obesity and weight control: They help create individualized meal plans and strategies for weight loss.
- Diabetes: They advise on proper nutrition and blood sugar control.
- Cardiovascular diseases: They recommend diets that help reduce cholesterol and blood pressure.
- Gastrointestinal problems: They provide dietary advice for conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, and lactose intolerance.
- Food allergies and intolerances: They help identify and avoid problematic foods and plan alternative food choices.
- Nutritional deficiencies: They recommend diets rich in necessary vitamins and minerals.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: They advise on nutrition that supports the health of both mother and child.
- Sports nutrition: They help athletes optimize their diet for improved performance and recovery.
Which Conditions Does a Dietitian Treat?
If you have any of the following issues or want to improve your overall health through diet, a dietitian can help create individualized meal plans and strategies for health improvement. Here are some conditions where dietary changes can have significant results:
Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 and Type 2
Type 1 is an autoimmune disorder where the body does not produce insulin. A low glycemic index diet can help control blood sugar. Type 2 is when the body does not use insulin efficiently. Dietary changes, including reducing sugar and refined carbohydrates intake, can significantly improve glucose control.
Gestational Diabetes
Develops during pregnancy and can affect both mother and baby. Proper nutrition helps maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Insulin Resistance
A condition where cells poorly respond to insulin. A low-carbohydrate, high-fiber diet can improve insulin sensitivity.
Obesity
Excessive body weight increases the risk of many diseases. Diet plans with reduced calorie intake and increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, and proteins can aid in weight loss.
Diabetes Therapy (Insulin Therapy)
Involves the use of insulin to control blood sugar levels. A tailored diet helps reduce blood sugar fluctuations.
Hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar levels can be dangerous. Properly balanced meals and snacks help maintain stable glucose levels.
Dyslipidemia
Abnormal levels of lipids (fats) in the blood. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and low in saturated fats can improve lipid profiles.
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
An autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid gland. Avoiding gluten and eating a diet rich in selenium and zinc can support thyroid function.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
A hormonal disorder in women. A diet including low-glycemic foods and healthy fats can help manage symptoms.
Each of these conditions requires an individualized dietary approach, which can significantly improve health outcomes and quality of life.
How to Prepare for a Dietitian Appointment
Before your appointment with a nutritionist dietitian, you can prepare by having, if available, blood test results (complete blood count, glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile, electrolytes, liver and kidney function, thyroid hormones, vitamin D, B12, folic acid), medical documentation such as specialist reports, diagnoses, test results, and a list of medications and supplements you are taking.
What to Expect During a Dietitian Appointment
A nutritional assessment is a comprehensive process that helps evaluate your eating habits and health status, aiming to improve nutrition and health. The assessment includes a detailed conversation with the dietitian, body weight measurement, body composition analysis (percentage of fat, muscle mass, water), and evaluation of your current eating habits. The dietitian will also consider your health status, possible diseases and allergies, and lifestyle.
The first appointment usually lasts 60 to 90 minutes. During this visit, the dietitian will thoroughly review your medical history, analyze your current eating habits, and perform necessary measurements. This first meeting is crucial for creating a personalized meal plan tailored to your needs.
Subsequent appointments are shorter, typically 30-45 minutes. During these follow-ups, the dietitian will monitor your progress, adjust the meal plan as needed, and provide additional advice and support.
Recommendations for Proper Nutrition
Proper nutrition is key to maintaining good health and preventing many diseases. Recommendations from a dietitian may include:
- Eating a variety of foods to ensure all necessary nutrients.
- Regular consumption of fruits and vegetables.
- Limiting intake of saturated fats, sugars, and salt.
- Choosing whole grains over refined grains.
- Adequate hydration, i.e., drinking water throughout the day.
Special attention should be given to a balanced intake of macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats), as well as individual needs depending on your health status, physical activity, and other factors. Following these recommendations can help you feel better, have more energy, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and improve overall quality of life.
Common Eating Disorders
Understanding and recognizing the symptoms of these disorders is important for timely seeking help and adequate treatment.
Anrexia Nervosa
Characterized by extreme food restriction and intense fear of gaining weight. People with anorexia often have a distorted body image and see themselves as overweight even when they are extremely thin.
Symptoms: Extreme thinness, obsessive calorie counting, excessive exercise, food avoidance.
Bulimia Nervosa
Characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by behaviors such as vomiting, excessive use of laxatives, or intense exercise to prevent weight gain.
Symptoms: Binge eating and purging behavior, constant worry about body weight, hiding food or binge eating episodes.
Binge Eating Disorder
Involves frequently eating large amounts of food in a short period, without attempts to eliminate the ingested food (as in bulimia).
Symptoms: Eating large amounts of food even when not hungry, feeling out of control during binges, feeling guilty or ashamed after eating.
Orthorexia
An obsession with healthy eating that leads to the exclusion of numerous foods and can harm physical health.
Symptoms: Obsessive tracking of nutritional values, avoiding certain food groups, feeling guilty when eating “unclean” food.
Pica
A disorder involving the consumption of non-food substances such as dirt, chalk, or paper.
Symptoms: Eating non-food materials, which can lead to serious health issues.
Food Aversion
Extreme reluctance or disgust towards certain types of food, often associated with bad experiences or trauma.
Symptoms: Avoidance of certain foods, emotional distress at the thought of consuming those foods, weight loss.
Dietetics Team at Puls Dedinje
At the Puls Cardiology Center, where Puls Dedinje is a part, there is a Center for Diabetes, Obesity, and Cardiovascular Diseases that provides a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, bringing together a team of experts who work together to achieve optimal health outcomes for patients. This team includes endocrinologists, cardiologists, dietitians, and radiologists who provide comprehensive support to patients in combating obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
Scheduling an Appointment with a Dietitian
At Puls Dedinje, a special department within the Puls Cardiology Center focused on rapid diagnosis and treatment of nearly all medical conditions, specialist dietitian consultations are conducted by MSc. Med. Dr. Veroslava Stanković, a dietitian.
Pricing for Dietitian Consultations
