Here at NourishRX we are proud to call ourselves non-diet dietitians. However, we also recognize that it can cause a bit of confusion - how can one be a dietitian and be not prescribe something in our own job title? We totally get it, and want to explain a little more about what it means to be a non-diet dietitian.
what does it mean to be an non-diet dietitian
The non-diet space was created in response to the ever growing and evolving presence of diet culture, which often spreads false information about nutrition to the general public. Diet culture often leads individuals to rely on external cues like messages from their favorite influencers or comments from Aunt Suzie at the dinner table, rather than listening to their own bodies. In short, diet culture leads us further and further away from listening to or trusting our bodies. This can not only lead to problematic eating or disordered eating, but also eating disorders.
Non-diet providers, such as non-diet dietitians, work to fight back against diet culture messages. As non-diet dietitians, we believe in the innate wisdom of our bodies to know what, how much and when to eat using an intuitive eating framework. Utilizing evidence-based practice including nutrition therapy, non-diet dietitians treat individuals looking to heal the disconnect between their thoughts around food and body such as those suffering from disordered eating, chronic dieting, negative body image and eating disorders.
So what would this even look like? We’ve created a list of 5 different ways a non-diet dietitian can help guide you to a better relationship with food and your body.
5 ways a non-diet dietitian can guide you towards food freedom
1. By providing a safe, nonjudgemental space for you to discuss your relationship with food & body
We understand how difficult and even shameful it can feel to discuss the belief and fears you may have around food. In sessions, we work to normalize negative thoughts and feelings about food in order to uncover the ways diet culture misleads us.
2. Ensuring the scale is not a measure of progress
Non-diet dietitians work from a weight-neutral space meaning that weight is not the main priority of our work. Conversely, we help our clients brainstorm non-weight focused goals such as: lowering A1C or improving other lab markers, increasing energy levels, regulating digestion, etc.
With these non-weight centric goals in mind we can work as a team to identify the nutrition behaviors that make sense for your unique needs and life. Ultimately, our main goal is to help you feel *good* in your body and about your goals regardless of what the number on the scale says!
So just because we will not prescribe you a specific, rigid diet, it doesn't mean that we will not make recommendations, with your permission, about nutrition changes or increased structure that could be beneficial to you reaching your goals.
3. Help to debunk misinformation about food
As mentioned earlier in this blog, diet culture is everywhere and it can be difficult to figure out what nutrition information is reliable. When working with a non-diet dietitian, time in session can be spent deciphering the murky waters of diet culture messaging and determining how to be a more confident consumer to fight back against common nutrition myths we hear.
Being able to feel confident in nutrition knowledge can feel empowering for our clients! This allows you to be able to make informed nutrition decisions that merge health goals with your innate body wisdom (more on that below).
4. Empowering you to be the expert of your body
By approaching nutrition using an intuitive eating framework, non-diet dietitians work to empower you to reconnect with your physical and emotional cues to appropriately respond to hunger, fullness, satisfaction.
There are so many factors in our world today that contribute to us feeling out of tune with our body. We recognize that, while you are the only one who *truly* knows what your body is needing, sometimes we require support reconnecting to these cues. This could look like: discussing why we may experience a certain craving or physical cue, why we may feel a lack of cues throughout the day, or practicing increasing your interoceptive awareness of your body.
Our goal is to support you in learning the subtle cues your body provides for you throughout the day so you can feel attuned, connected and empowered by your own body.
5. Normalizing and celebrating the diversity of bodies
In addition to a weight-neutral approach to nutrition, our team of non-diet dietitians operate from a Health-At-Every-Size™ lens, believing wholeheartedly that all bodies are deserving of equitable treatment and respect.
We reject the notion that there are “good” and “bad” bodies and work to help dismantle the strongly held beliefs pushed by diet culture that thinner or smaller is always better. Additionally, we work on educating our amazing clients on how health can exist beyond the number on the scale. More on that here.
how to take next steps with a non-diet dietitian
If any of the above mentioned information has resonated with you, know that there are non-diet dietitians excited to meet you where you are at to take the first steps to regaining confidence around food and your body.
Struggling with chronic dieting, disordered eating and/or an eating disorder can feel scary, confusing and downright lonely, so know that there are resources out there for you to reach out to for support including any and all members of a solid treatment team including physicians, mental health professionals and dietitians.
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