How to find reputable dietitian

[fernweh]

My doctor recommended I see one for weight management and gave me a name. I contacted the person 4 times and never heard back. I asked doctor for a different name and she didn’t have one.

I reached out to my insurance because they cover it, so I thought they would have a list of providers- they do not.

I have googled - the 1st one to come up is the one dr recommended that never responded to me. The next place seemed suspicious to me - website talked about selling supplements. Which maybe I’m off base and it’s normal but selling anything other than your expertise seems strange to me.

How to I weed out the non-legit ones? Do I just base it on certification?

[lavenderblue]

I am a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and my training comes with a lot of training about supplements, but more on the holistic side of things. So, a Dietician that recommends supplements isn't necessarily a bad thing, but still be wary. That said, you want to make sure that you are looking for a "Registered Dietician" as those are the ones that go through all of the schooling and licensing. I haven't used it myself, but I've heard that the Nourish app is a really good resource and their Registered Dieticians will work with your insurance provider.

[fernweh]

Sept 19, 2024 7:11:27 GMT -5 lavenderblue said:

I am a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and my training comes with a lot of training about supplements, but more on the holistic side of things. So, a Dietician that recommends supplements isn't necessarily a bad thing, but still be wary. That said, you want to make sure that you are looking for a "Registered Dietician" as those are the ones that go through all of the schooling and licensing. I haven't used it myself, but I've heard that the Nourish app is a really good resource and their Registered Dieticians will work with your insurance provider.

Thank you for the feedback. I will look into the Nourish app. My hesitation wasn’t that they recommend supplements, I’m fine with that, the red flag to me was that they sell them. Like you actually buy the supplements from the practice. Again, that could be normal I have no idea, just seemed a little odd to me.

[Deleted]

Are you near a major medical center connected to a university? They usually have weight management services and dietitians, and take most major insurance carriers. And they definitely won’t try to sell you supplements.

[rubytue]

Can I tag on? lavenderblue, thanks for mentioning nourish. I get their ads and have been intrigued. So they have actual registered dieticians? And it’s legit?

[lavenderblue]

Sept 19, 2024 7:51:24 GMT -5 rubytue said:

Can I tag on? lavenderblue , thanks for mentioning nourish. I get their ads and have been intrigued. So they have actual registered dieticians? And it’s legit?

Yes, as far as I can tell. When you go on their app or website, you can search for practitioners. Next to their name, they'll have their various certifications. Like RD = Registered Dietician, CNS = Certified Nutrition Support Clinician, CSSD = Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics are just a few, but you get the idea. From what I have seen, it looks pretty good, and I love that it is helping more people get access to Registered Dieticians. So many people think that it is out of reach for them and the truth is that many insurances do actually cover it, it's just a matter of finding one.

[livinitup]

Some of my work with community based initiatives has overlapped with health & nutrition. We’ve identified and engaged with registered dietitians (RDs) on a few projects when we’ve gotten funding for nutritional groups as a service activity for folks living with chronic health conditions. We designed the groups based on best practices and the RD provided advisory services, insights, and signed-off on individualized health plans/goals. Nutrition groups are hard to find but they are often eager to accept (and actively make efforts to) recruit new clients. Look at non-profits like the YMCA, university systems, and some hospitals. Identifiers like “pre-diabetic” may be used.

Since this was a referral from a medical provider, I’m surprised she didn’t mention a bariatric healthcare provider. This may be easier to find and the provider may have RDs on staff or available to refer. It’s not all surgery and medication - it’s special training in how to treat obesity and related health issues. That might not be for you or you may not qualify for those services, but I figured I’d throw it out as a resource option.

Good luck.

[Susie]

Sept 19, 2024 7:35:37 GMT -5 fernweh said:

Sept 19, 2024 7:11:27 GMT -5 lavenderblue said:

I am a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and my training comes with a lot of training about supplements, but more on the holistic side of things. So, a Dietician that recommends supplements isn't necessarily a bad thing, but still be wary. That said, you want to make sure that you are looking for a "Registered Dietician" as those are the ones that go through all of the schooling and licensing. I haven't used it myself, but I've heard that the Nourish app is a really good resource and their Registered Dieticians will work with your insurance provider.

Thank you for the feedback. I will look into the Nourish app. My hesitation wasn’t that they recommend supplements, I’m fine with that, the red flag to me was that they sell them. Like you actually buy the supplements from the practice. Again, that could be normal I have no idea, just seemed a little odd to me.

My mom was an RD (registered dietician), and yes, that's the credential you want.  Unfortunately I don't have any advice for finding one to work with!  My mom's practice was limited to geriatrics and she was on staff at a nursing home.

When I was a kid there was SAHM who lived on our street who sold some kind of MLM nutrition products and she hassled my mom constantly to give her products an endorsement from an RD.  No ma'am.  Some people do indeed need supplementation and there are appropriate products for that.  They tend not to come from MLM sellers, lol.

[expectantsteelerfan]

Can you post anonymously (if that matters to you) on a local FB page asking for recommendations? It might help to hear from someone, even if it's an internet stranger, that someone is legit.

I will also add, I go to my health system's bariatric weight loss center...was referred there when I asked my primary care Dr. about starting a glp-1 med. I have to see their dietitian at every appointment, and at every appointment he asks if I'm using liquid protein and I reiterate that no, I've tried a TON of them and I don't like any of them. Also, there are posters and a 'take a card' thing on the desk advertising all kinds of supplements that they sell in the office. That made me nervous on my 1st few appointments, but it's been 2 years and neither the dietitian or the Dr. have mentioned any of the things they advertise.

[sadlebred]

Does it need to be local to you? If not, I have a great recommendation for an RD. She's got a PhD in nutrition.

This is the national certification board for RDs. You can search on their website:
www.eatright.org/find-a-nutrition-expert

[sadlebred]

Sept 19, 2024 10:40:06 GMT -5 expectantsteelerfan said:

Can you post anonymously (if that matters to you) on a local FB page asking for recommendations? It might help to hear from someone, even if it's an internet stranger, that someone is legit.

I will also add, I go to my health system's bariatric weight loss center...was referred there when I asked my primary care Dr. about starting a glp-1 med. I have to see their dietitian at every appointment, and at every appointment he asks if I'm using liquid protein and I reiterate that no, I've tried a TON of them and I don't like any of them. Also, there are posters and a 'take a card' thing on the desk advertising all kinds of supplements that they sell in the office. That made me nervous on my 1st few appointments, but it's been 2 years and neither the dietitian or the Dr. have mentioned any of the things they advertise.

One issue I have with FB recommendations is that the people calling themselves a "Nutritionist" come out of the woodwork. ANYONE can take a short course and call themselves a Nutritionist. As others have said, you want an RD...then again. you might get a good recommendation.

[sent]

Sept 19, 2024 10:46:29 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

Sept 19, 2024 10:40:06 GMT -5 expectantsteelerfan said:

Can you post anonymously (if that matters to you) on a local FB page asking for recommendations? It might help to hear from someone, even if it's an internet stranger, that someone is legit.

I will also add, I go to my health system's bariatric weight loss center...was referred there when I asked my primary care Dr. about starting a glp-1 med. I have to see their dietitian at every appointment, and at every appointment he asks if I'm using liquid protein and I reiterate that no, I've tried a TON of them and I don't like any of them. Also, there are posters and a 'take a card' thing on the desk advertising all kinds of supplements that they sell in the office. That made me nervous on my 1st few appointments, but it's been 2 years and neither the dietitian or the Dr. have mentioned any of the things they advertise.

One issue I have with FB recommendations is that the people calling themselves a "Nutritionist" come out of the woodwork. ANYONE can take a short course and call themselves a Nutritionist. As others have said, you want an RD...then again. you might get a good recommendation.

I would ask a question like this on FB but it has to be the right group. There is the mom's group of my town and two other town groups with people of mostly higher SES who would post legitimate recommendations when people ask these types of things. The MLM huns and self-declared people don't ever appear. If they do rarely crop up, it's easy enough for smart people to see right through them.

[expectantsteelerfan]

Sept 19, 2024 10:54:47 GMT -5 sent said:

Sept 19, 2024 10:46:29 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

One issue I have with FB recommendations is that the people calling themselves a "Nutritionist" come out of the woodwork. ANYONE can take a short course and call themselves a Nutritionist. As others have said, you want an RD...then again. you might get a good recommendation.

I would ask a question like this on FB but it has to be the right group. There is the mom's group of my town and two other town groups with people of mostly higher SES who would post legitimate recommendations when people ask these types of things. The MLM huns and self-declared people don't ever appear. If they do rarely crop up, it's easy enough for smart people to see right through them.

Yeah my local town parent group is great for honest medical recommendations, and posting recommending your own business is not allowed.  But fair point that all groups are not like that.  

[jennistarr1]

Sept 19, 2024 7:11:27 GMT -5 lavenderblue said:

I am a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and my training comes with a lot of training about supplements, but more on the holistic side of things. So, a Dietician that recommends supplements isn't necessarily a bad thing, but still be wary. That said, you want to make sure that you are looking for a "Registered Dietician" as those are the ones that go through all of the schooling and licensing. I haven't used it myself, but I've heard that the Nourish app is a really good resource and their Registered Dieticians will work with your insurance provider.

Just correcting spelling to be Dietitian 

[eb777888]

I hired one for David over the summer because he was doing this weird "cut" only allowing himself 1700 calories a day (he's 6'1, 190) and it was super concerning to me. I literally just googled and found someone who was credentialed, primarily worked with teens, and had great reviews. We still have it set up to do check-ins and she does virtual visits as well which has been super convenient.

[cuadrado]

It’s weird that your insurance said they don’t have a list. Most insurance companies have an online database where you can search for dietitians.

You can also look on health profs. Dietitians will indicate whether they accept insurance and then you can check their website for which ones they accept.