Find a Rockstar Nutritionist With These 5 Questions

Nutrition information is often contradictory and confusing. Unfortunately, nutrition is not widely taught, even though it is quite critical for health. Because most people are not taught about nutrition, it can be hard to know where to start, and who to trust.

Why nutrition information is confusing

You may desire a simple "yes" or "no" answer to your nutrition questions, but the truth is that the answer is often "It depends," or "No one really knows!" Nutrition science is relatively new and still developing. There may be some questions that we still do not have clear answers to.

This means that as we try to study nutrition questions, we may get conflicting answers sometimes. That is a routine part of the scientific process. But it certainly is frustrating when you get conflicting messages about what or how to eat.

Also, nutrition can be complicated because proper nutrition can vary from person to person. What's right for each of us depends on the context. Often, the answers you find about nutrition cannot offer a nuanced perspective. So what you read may not quite answer your question, or it may not quite apply to you.

Find an expert to guide you

I strongly feel that finding a good dietitian or nutritionist is the best way to navigate nutrition information. This is especially true when it comes to weight management, which is particularly prone to conflicting information and misinformation. A good nutritionist understands nutrition well, is transparent about what is known and what is not, and stays up to date on the latest nutrition research.

So, here are 5 questions you can ask to determine whether someone is trustworthy and well trained in nutrition guidance for obesity management.

1. Are you a registered dietitian who specializes in weight management?

Registered dietitians have a degree in nutrition science and clinical practice. They learn evidence-based approaches to use diet in a therapeutic way. Dietitians with a specialization in weight management can help you achieve a healthier weight through diet, while also taking care of your overall nutritional health. They are also required to have continuing education covering the latest findings in nutrition.

Sometimes, a nutritionist can also be helpful. This term usually means that someone practices nutrition but is not a registered dietitian. If they have a graduate degree in nutrition and have been working in clinical science related to obesity, they can probably answer your questions accurately. But they may not be able to address all your health issues like a dietitian can.

2. Are there any foods that I have to completely cut out of my diet?

If someone promotes a strict ban on any food or food group, that is a red flag. Unless you have an allergy to a specific food, every food can have a place in your diet. Promoting foods as "good" or "bad" is usually unhelpful, especially when the "bad" foods are foods you love and those that are part of your everyday routine.

You may need to learn how certain foods can fit into a healthier diet. But besides that, there is no evidence that any single food is the culprit for all your health issues and must be removed (again, as long as you don’t have an allergy to that food).

3. Are there any dietary supplements I can take for weight loss?

There is no dietary supplement that is proven to significantly impact weight loss. Sometimes dietary supplements can support a dietary approach to weight loss. But if someone is promoting a dietary supplement for weight loss without also recommending a significant change to your diet, that is a red flag. There is no dietary supplement that can lead to substantial amounts of weight loss on its own.

4. Should I take one of those new weight loss medications to lose weight?

FDA-approved medications can help with weight loss for people they are indicated for, but they are not a replacement for a good diet. Rather, they can help you achieve weight loss along with a good diet.

If a dietitian or nutritionist is telling you that you cannot or should not take weight loss medicines that are approved for people like you, that is a red flag. A good nutritionist will encourage you to consider all the evidence-based options that are available to you.

5. What is your favorite book about nutrition?

Nutrition is personal. It involves both cultural practices and individual values. Finding someone who is a good fit in this regard, and sees things as you do, is helpful. So the answer to this question can tell you a lot about a nutritionist’s personal philosophy and values, and whether they align with yours. Pick up their favorite book and see if it jives with you.

Nutrition seems simple, but in my experience, once you get into the details it becomes overwhelming. I think a trusted nutritionist is a critical piece of anyone’s health journey. Asking these 5 questions can help you find a trustworthy guide to help you.