Nutrition changes are often necessary for chronic disease management. After being diagnosed by a health condition, knowing what to eat can be overwhelming. If you are uncertain about where to begin, below are some reasons why connecting with a dietitian may be one of the first steps to take.
1. Easy access to credible nutrition advice
A dietitian will save you from spending hours online sorting facts from misinformation to getting your burning questions answered. Have you ever experienced feeling confused after being diagnosed with a health condition? Often, doctor visits are brief so you may be only given a handout without any explanations, leaving you with more questions. A dietitian can work with you to create a sustainable nutrition plan tailored to your lifestyle, set up actionable steps for you and also empower you with knowledge needed to self manage your condition.
2. Reduce the risk of developing other diseases
Sometimes nutrition changes are needed to control a health condition, therefore leaving them unaddressed can lead to complications, emergence of new symptoms and or increased risk of developing other health conditions. An eating pattern that is not aligned with your health treatment plan may counteract the efforts that you have already been working on to manage your chronic disease.
3. Help you feel in control of your health conditions instead of letting them control you.
Your mental wellbeing is important to us. Given the link between psychological and physiological health, caring for your mental health is just as important. Working with a dietitian that will support your journey in managing your chronic disease while promoting a positive relationship with food is vital.
4. Delay the start of medication and/or reduce the possibility of needing a lot of medications
Taking medications can be costly, time consuming and stressful. Proper nutrition can work together with your medication treatment to optimize your health. Many chronic diseases especially in early stages can be improved through nutrition interventions. If your doctor sees improvement after these changes, you may be able to avoid having to start medications altogether.
5. Let’s start your health journey today
Start feeling in control of your health condition today by reaching out and connecting with a dietitian today.
Written by student Wing Cheong, Reviewed by Angelina Lam, RD
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