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Dietitians have an important role in many peoples’ lives. A dietitian can help guide the daily diet as well as recommended a weight loss program for many individuals. Most people are unaware of how a dietitian can help them, and what they should expect when consulting a dietitian. Dietitians plan food and nutrition programs, and supervise the preparation and serving of meal. A professional dietitian can be used to help prevent and treat illnesses. Their job is to promote healthy eating habits and recommend dietary modifications, such as using less salt for patients with high blood pressure or reducing fat and sugar for overweight patients.
Dietitians have the job of managing food service system for hospitals, and schools. They often encourage healthy eating habits through education. There are several major areas of practice, which include clinical dietitians, community dietitians, management, and consultant dietetics. Most people will find consulting a clinical dietitian as the best solution to their dietary problems. A clinical dietitian has the job of providing nutritional services for patients in hospitals and nursing care facilities. Dietitians in this area, assess patients’ nutritional needs, develop and implement nutrition programs, and report the results of their programs. These professionals also confer with doctors and other health care professional to coordinate medical and nutritional needs of patients.
Overweight patients will also find it best to consult a clinical dietitian that specializes in the area of weight management. There are some clinical dietitians that specialize in the management of overweight patients, or in the care of renal and diabetic patients. Clinical dietitians also manage the service departments of nursing care facilities, small hospitals, and correctional facilities. Community dietitians are very different from clinical dietitians. Community dietitians have the job of counseling individuals and groups on nutritional practices that are designed to prevent disease and promote good health. These professionals work in public health clinics, home health agencies, and health maintenance organizations.
Community dietitians also evaluate individuals’ needs, develop nutritional care plans, and instruct individuals and their families. The dietitians that work in the home health industry also provide instruction on grocery shopping and food preparation to the elderly, people with special needs, and children. Management dietitians are not readily involved with the public, and don’t usually work with individuals. They oversee large-scale meal planning and preparation in health care facilities, company cafeterias, prisons, and schools. The management dietitians must also hire, train, and direct other dietitians and food service workers, as well as provide the budget for and purchase food, equipment, supplies. Dietitians in this area also enforce sanitary and safety regulations, and prepare records and reports.
A consultant dietitian is one who works under contract with health care facilities, or in their own private practice. Consultant dietitians perform nutrition screening for their clients and offer advice for weight loss and cholesterol reduction concerns. Some consultant dietitians also work for wellness programs, sports teams, supermarkets, and other nutrition-related businesses. These dietitians may also consult with food service managers in order to provide their expertise in sanitation, safety procedures, menu development, budgeting, and planning. Dietitians can help individuals and families learn new patterns of eating and become healthier.
The doctor can help in the understanding of daily eating plans that are best for their patients, and can give patients written material that will help them establish new habits. Most people are able to receive referrals for dietitians from their General Practitioner. Patients at hospitals may also find it best to consult a staff dietitian, who will help patients with heart-healthy eating habits. A doctor may also discharge patients then refer them to the hospital’s outpatient department.