I have been seeing a nutritionist about every 4-6 weeks since this past September, 2019.
The number one thing you need to understand is that you should always welcome guidance. I have talked to a lot of people with GP specifically, and many claim they have "tried everything" and hate it when people try to suggest things. You need to get rid of that mindset, or you will never heal. Taking in information, listening to people, communicating, and continuous trial and error is what helps you.
Weight:
If you are having a hard time balancing your weight then a nutritionist is a great option for you. Since GP I've lost about 25-30 pounds, 20 of them being in about a 3 month period. This was concerning for me and my doctors. I needed something to help me manage my weight quickly because I was losing too much too fast and I could literally feel my body depleting. Seeing a nutritionist was something my gastro doctor suggested; I listened, and I'm happy that I did.
Every time I go to my appointment, I get weighed. This is by choice. I do not weigh myself at home unless I feel like I have maybe lost a pound or two (you can feel that in your mood, fatigue, knowing you haven't ate enough, etc). By weighing myself at my appointments, it makes the 4-6 weeks in between almost like a game to see if I can gain a pound or two. So far, it hasn't been the most "successful" in gaining, but it has been great to see that my weight is under finally under control and maintained.
Motivation:
Not only is a nutritionist great for managing weight, they are a great source of positive motivation as well as "therapy". In my first few appointments my nutritionist really wanted me to expand my food and experiences for overall "quality of life"; she knew how hard GP had been for me. This past summer I was miserable. Miserable going to work, being at home, trying to go for a walk. I was in so much pain and discomfort. She wanted to suggest as many things to help improve my quality of life and I really appreciated that. Even now when I go, I talk with her about what foods I have tried and how they've made me feel. She listens, and will suggest other options for me to try or ways I can still incorporate the items in my diet, but in smaller amounts.
Loss of Appetite:
A nutritionist isn't the only thing to help your loss of appetite (see my other blog post for details on this subject), but they do help. With GP it is hard to eat, we all know that. You have to eat things that are mushy, sometimes even actual baby food for awhile. Your body doesn't absorb nutrients like it should so it is also crucial that what you eat has the best nutritional benefits.
For awhile I was eating the same foods: rice, peanut butter, toast, muffins, more rice, water, juice, some cooked vegetables and rice again. It was very bland and sad to eat. My appetite was completely lost, I had no desire to eat anything but I knew I needed to in order to live and stop losing weight.
Nutritionists will sit down with you, review the foods you currently eat, suggest other options to try, and also suggest extra things to incorporate into what you're already eating. I was eating a LOT of rice because it sat well in my stomach. She knew I wasn't wanting to try dairy quite yet, so she told me to start adding olive oil to the rice. Olive oil has healthy fats, anti-inflammatory properties, and a decent amount of calories: roughly 120 for 1 tablespoon. I also started putting some avocado in my rice as well - a single avocado has about 320+ calories in it! Salmon also sits well in my stomach and is a great food to easily incorporate in meals- the bonus is the great source of protein, vitamins and healthy fats.
Listening to the suggestions your nutritionist gives you is so helpful. The substitutes/add-ins will make your diet suddenly expand, and you will realize that you can now meal prep healthy, nutritious meals that you actually WANT to eat, which over time will start increasing your appetite.
Balancing Protein and Calories:
Protein and calories are some of the most important nutrients you need, but balancing them can be incredibly hard. Two appointments ago I was doing great on getting in more calories, but I needed more protein. The last 4-6 weeks I was killing it with the protein, but at my appointment last week we discovered my calories were now low. It is a tricky thing to manage, and the last thing I want to do is track my every meal and track the protein and calories for each. That's not something I want to do, nor is it something my nutritionist suggested, and that's why I like her.
She is now helping me balance them both, looking for ways I can get in calories in the snacks I eat. For example, instead of having applesauce for a snack switch to half an avocado or peanut butter crackers. Those are both two snacks have both great amounts of protein and calories. It may feel daunting at first but once you get into a routine, you hardly notice any changes.
Tips/ Suggestions:
My suggestion to you is to make sure you get a nutritionist that is specifically for digestive disorders or focuses on GP. Some nutritionists will only focus on diabetes or weight loss/gain, so make sure you find one that really understands what you are going through. If you have diabetic gp, then getting a nutritionist that understands both is crucial.
Do not be scared away by the cost. Thankfully my health insurance covers my nutritionist, and I am sure that most health insurances cover it; but no matter the price, your health is worth EVERY single penny.
Take notes if needed. I don't need to take any because she types them up and prints them out for me, but for the first appointment I would bring a small notebook and pen just in case- there will be a lot of information to go over.
The last tip is to listen to your instincts. If you aren't 100% sold with your nutritionist, or any doctor you have, you can always switch! Do not keep going and seeing doctors or nutritionists if you don't like them for whatever reason, switch doctors, there is a good one out there for you. You need to control your health, and that means listening to your gut when something or someone feels off.
Have I convinced you to see one yet? If you already have, let me know your experience below :)
- Loreal