How MNT can help you to lead a healthier life

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What is Medical Nutrition Therapy?
“Nutritional diagnostic, therapy, and counseling services for the purpose of disease management which are furnished by a registered dietitian or nutrition professional…” (source Medicare MNT legislation, 2000). MNT involves in-depth individualized nutrition assessment and a duration and frequency of care using the Nutrition Care Process to manage disease.
Why should someone get MNT from a registered dietitian? 
Most people can benefit from a healthier diet, and a registered dietitian can give you the answers, resources, and motivation you need to make a healthy change. Here are some of the reasons you should consider MNT:
  • You want to lose or gain weight
  • You want to eat healthier, help your family eat smarter, or have more energy
  • You have a medical condition that requires a strict diet, such as diabetes, cardiovascular problems, or high blood pressure
  • You are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding
  • You are thinking of having or have had gastric bypass surgery or another type of weight loss surgery
  • You want to improve your performance in sports, such as a 5k race, baseball game, basketball game or triathlon
  • You want someone to offer nutritional guidance, healthy eating tips, motivation, and accountability for your health goals

What can someone expect out of the first visit with a Nutrition Unlimited registered dietitian?
Typically the first visit lasts an hour and allows the registered dietitian to get to know the patient. The sessions are completely private and typically start with basic questions like height and weight, eating routines and preferences, health concerns, and medications. It’s helpful if the client can bring in a list of what they ate within the last 24 hours and also if the client has blood work done to check cholesterol, blood sugar, iron, and vitamin/mineral levels.

As the sessions continue, the client can expect the registered dietitian to create a custom meal plan that is tailored to the individual needs of the client and to discuss what types of barriers could be in their way. For example, a registered dietitian can take into consideration where the client shops for food, where affordable produce is available, and whether the client is cooking for just themselves or for their whole family. (Oftentimes family members are invited to the MNT sessions to help build support for the patient, and also to ensure that everyone understands how they can help.)

Registered dietitians are not the food police! Do not be afraid to come in because you think we are just going to tell you what they can or can’t eat, and that people should only eat fruits and vegetables. That’s not our goal. We want to help our clients achieve health and wellness goals and come up with a plan that’s realistic to maintain. We want to help our clients make lifestyle changes, and to reach them as gradually as needed so that they stick.
Most health insurance plans cover the cost of MNT sessions with a Registered Dietitian from Nutrition Unlimited.  Schedule a session today!

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