What is nutritional counseling?
Nutritional counseling teaches you how to establish a healthier relationship with food. It educates you on the importance of eating a balanced diet. It explains how to make better decisions when grocery shopping, preparing meals, and eating out at restaurants.
Changing your relationship with food might seem like a hassle, but it’s easy and drug-free. Making smart food choices can increase your energy levels, support your well-being, and reduce your risk of chronic illnesses like hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes.
What does nutritional counseling involve?
The Mariposa Medical Associates team tailors nutritional counseling to each patient’s needs. The process typically features several steps, including:
Step 1: Review of general health and medical history
Your Mariposa Medical Associates provider reviews your medical records and asks if you have food allergies, sensitivities, or digestive problems. They also review the medicines and supplements you take and quiz you about your current eating habits and health goals.
Step 2: Introduction to nutrition basics
Your provider explains how snacks and meals affect your energy levels, mood, and health. They teach you how to read nutrition labels and highlight things to consider when grocery shopping, like ingredients, serving sizes, and calorie content.
Step 3: Education about mindful eating
Most people have negative thought patterns and/or feelings about good nutrition and diets. While these opinions might have served you in the past, failure to acknowledge them in the present can increase the risk of problems like binge eating and yo-yo dieting.
The Mariposa Medical Associates team teaches you a healthier mindset about food, meal prep, and nutrition in general.
Step 4: Personalized nutrition plan
After gathering a complete picture of your health and relationship with food, your Mariposa Medical Associates provider develops a personalized nutrition plan. Your nutrition plan considers your ideal calorie and nutrient intake, budget, and food preferences.
Your personalized meal plan takes your health into account. For example, if you have hypertension (high blood pressure), your provider will recommend limiting your salt intake and eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
What are the benefits of nutritional counseling?
Nutritional counseling at Mariposa Medical Associates provides various benefits, including:
- Reduced risk of chronic illness
- Healthier weight
- Improved physical and mental well-being
- Long-term healthy eating habits
Call Mariposa Medical Associates to schedule a nutritional counseling consultation, or book your appointment online today.
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