How an RD Can Help With Disease Management

If you have a chronic condition, a Registered Dietitian or Registered Nutritionist can help you carefully plan a diet that may improve health or in some cases reduce symptoms. For example, eating a heart-healthy diet can help lower high blood pressure, which reduces the risk of both heart attack and stroke. Even if someone does not have high blood pressure, eating a heart-healthy diet reduces the chance of heart disease in the future.

Allergies and Intolerances

If you have a food allergy or intolerance, a Registered Dietitian can help you understand which foods are safe to eat and how best to avoid those that may cause a reaction. When foods are cut from your diet, you may be short-changing yourself on important vitamins and minerals. An RD can help ensure you get the nutrition you need for your health and lifestyle.

Cancer

Your diet is one of the most important factors under your control that can reduce cancer risk. A Registered Dietitian can help you eat well to lower your risk for developing cancer, support cancer treatment and help you live well following treatment.

Celiac Disease

The only treatment for celiac disease is a gluten free diet and luckily there are plenty of foods that are naturally gluten-free, including fruits, vegetables, beef, poultry, fish, nuts, eggs and more. A Registered Dietitian can help you understand which foods are safe to eat and which to avoid. An RD can help you plan for meals at home and for eating out. An RD will work within your lifestyle to help you keep a healthy weight and ensure you get all the nutrients you need for a strong, energetic life.

Diabetes

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, seek the expert advice of a Registered Dietitian to help you manage the disease while ensuring you get the nutrients your body needs.

Heart and Cardiovascular Disease

If you are at high risk for heart disease or already have heart disease, your first step should be to meet with a Registered Dietitian. Together with other members of the health care team, your RD can help you lower your risk or improve your existing condition by developing a personalized eating and lifestyle plan.

Kidney Disease

If you have been diagnosed with a kidney disease, a Registered Dietitian, along with other members of your health care team, can help you improve your condition and enhance health by ensuring you get the nutrients your body needs in the right proportions.

Obesity

Many people have found long-term success by working with a Registered Dietitian. Because no two people are alike, approaches to weight loss must be tailored to each person. An RD can do this for you by creating a plan based on your medical history, lifestyle and food and activity preferences. Together, you can explore how your habits, emotions and environmental cues affect how you eat.

Osteoporosis

Although a bone-building diet and physical activity are important at all stages of life, taking steps to build bone health while you are young can literally make or break what will happen to your bones as you age. If you are not able to drink milk or eat foods that contain calcium, you may need a supplement to meet your body’s calcium needs. A Registered Dietitian can help you make the best choices for bone health.