Carolina Pain and Performance is happy to offer nutrition counseling in both the individual and group settings. Optimizing your nutrition can help you to improve your performance day-to-day, at work, and in sport. Sessions are available for nutrition to improve energy, lose/gain weight, plans for training and competition, and for general overall well-being. Our registered dietitian also provides medical nutrition therapy which can help improve medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension in conjunction with treatment provided by your physician. Nutrition services provided by a registered dietitian are often covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina insurance plans.
What is a Registered Dietitian (RD)?
Registered dietitians are trained food and nutrition experts who have completed a bachelor’s degree, supervised clinical training, and successfully passed a national board exam. They also keep up continuing education credits to stay up to date with current nutrition research. Registered dietitians are passionate about helping others by translating the science into practical and sustainable habits to improve our overall health and performance in everyday life.
Who would benefit from meeting with a Registered Dietitian?
Anyone could benefit from meeting with a Registered Dietitian. We all have to perform well at something, whether it’s at the office, in the classroom, at home, or on the field. Optimal performance can only be achieved with quality fuel on a consistent basis.
Some reasons to seek the advice of a Registered Dietitian may include:
• You would like to improve your energy levels
• You want to gain confidence in your nutrition choices
• You are trying to lose or gain weight
• You are an athlete looking to improve performance
• You have been diagnosed with diabetes or cardiovascular illness
• You are experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort
• You are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• You are confused by the messages you hear regarding nutrition in the media
What would my appointment with a Registered Dietitian be like?
Typically a Registered Dietitian will complete an assessment, during which you will discuss your goals and current nutrition habits. The Registered Dietitian may take some measurements, such as height, weight, body composition, waist and hip circumference. After the assessment, the Registered Dietitian will likely provide you with some education and discuss strategies that will help you to make positive changes. The Registered Dietitian will then suggest a follow-up appointment to check in and provide additional support to ensure that progress is being made.
Will they tell me to stop eating all of my favorite foods?
Hopefully not! The role of a Registered Dietitian is to collaborate with you to find the best solutions that fit your nutrition needs and goals. Everyone is different. We all have our own genetic make-up, upbringing, environment, energy needs, goals, and values. It’s the role of the Registered Dietitian to meet you where you are and give you the education, resources, and strategies you need to reach your maximum potential.