Medically Reviewed by Meredith Ebersohl, RD
Can you really prevent or reverse chronic diseases by changing your diet and lifestyle? Back in July 2022, while filming the documentary Healing Through Food, Myriam Masihy, an NBC investigative reporter diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, wanted to find out. Turns out — as you likely guessed — she learned that diet and lifestyle, do, indeed, make a profound difference.
The documentary is engaging to watch, and it is chockful of helpful information. Yet, let’s be honest. It’s hard to implement healthful living ideas in day-to-day life. And, what’s more, it’s a challenge to figure out what information applies to you and what doesn’t since every “body” is different.
The Answer: A Registered Dietitian
This is where a registered dietitian comes in. Registered dietitians are experts in food and nutrition. They combine specialized training in patient-centered care, motivational interviewing and behavioral change as they work with clients to improve nutrition in meaningful and sustainable ways.
You may be hesitant to work with one especially since the dreaded D-word (diet) is right in the title. Perhaps you’re wondering what your registered dietitian will say, what you’ll be asked to give up or what diet will be recommended for you.
The Reality: They play it cool.
Fortunately, registered dietitians take pride in meeting clients where they are. They make a point to honor their clients’ lifestyles and preferences. They are your champions for healthy living.
Still skeptical? No worries. Several of our WakeMed registered dietitians have teamed up to bust seven common myths that keep people from seeing a dietitian.
Myth #1: Registered dietitians will judge the way I eat.
It is natural to feel that sharing your eating and drinking habits with a registered dietitian will lead to judgment, but registered dietitians strive to help clients — not judge them.
If fear of judgment concerns you, you’re not alone. Dietitians deal with family, friends and, even, coworkers feeling wary to eat around them.
As Patrick Mahaney of Bariatric Surgery & Medical Weight Loss says, “People may think that because we are dietitians we must be analyzing what the people around us are eating. This could not be further from the truth. If you’re not on my schedule, I’m not paying any attention to what you are eating.”
If you are on his schedule, Patrick will work to make sure you have the best tools to make meaningful changes.
Building relationships and getting to know patients is what’s important, not making judgments. WakeMed registered dietitians value understanding individual preferences. They approach the process of changing food habits in a collaborative, not condescending way.
Angela Fruik shares, “As a Cardiac Rehab dietitian, I see my patients multiple times per week over the course of three to four months. I get to know my patients and their families, and this is very rewarding to me!”
Registered dietitians can schedule visits up to an hour long and learn more about clients to enhance trust and build a true partnership. Condemnation has no place in the process.
Myth #2: I’ll receive a meal plan with boring foods.
Like all WakeMed registered dietitians, Macon Guidry works to help her clients find their healthy preferences. During her sessions in Outpatient Nutrition and Primary Care, she believes it is important that clients continue enjoying food rather than following a generic meal plan.
“I seek nourishing meals and snacks that align with their health goals. I love helping patients find recipes that excite and inspire them. Food is one of the best parts of life.”
This thought is shared by Charlotte Jackson, who sees patients in Advanced Heart Failure, Primary Care and Cancer Care – Hematology and Medical Oncology.
“Structured meal planning doesn’t work for most people.” She instead recommends, “Take a step back and enjoy your food.”
Lee MacCabe of Pediatric Weight Management, too, shares, “My favorite part about nutrition is that it is nuanced. All people are different: they have different needs, thoughts and feelings surrounding food. This must always be accounted for.”
Victoria Scholl, of Outpatient Nutrition and Primary Care, agrees that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to food.
She explains, “What is often misunderstood about nutrition is that there is no perfect way of eating. Good nutrition looks different for everyone because we all have different nutrient needs, food preferences and lifestyles. As a registered dietitian, I enjoy helping individuals take all those factors into consideration and guide them towards a way of eating that is both enjoyable and supportive of long-term health.”
Myth #3: They’ll tell me what I already know. I just need to do it.
Working with a dietitian is so much more than learning nutrition recommendations.
Karen Varga, a pediatric dietitian who works with children with feeding tubes, shares, “I love working in our G-tube clinic because I enjoy guiding families on how to feed their children, both by mouth and through a tube, to support growth and development.”
Outside of recommendations, often what people know about nutrition is from unreliable sources or from word of mouth, so it is helpful to work with a registered dietitian to build a solid nutrition knowledge base.
Megan Woods of Cardiac Rehab explains, “There’s so much marketing and misinformation out there designed to deceive people and make them spend money on things they don’t need. I love being able to weed through that and get people on the right track.”
Myth #4: Registered dietitians eliminate the sweet stuff.
One common nutrition myth dietitians hear is that fruit is too high in sugar and should be avoided.
As Monika Kraus of Corporate and Community Health explains, “Fruit provides plenty of fiber, vitamins and minerals. It also adds color to your plate and tastes good. It can and should be eaten daily. Aim to eat a variety of fruit and try to eat what is in season for the most flavorful ones.”
While she loves giving feedback on this myth, she worries that people may fail to focus on other aspects of nutrition that could make a much bigger impact.
Lacey Anderson, of Cardiac Rehab, Outpatient Nutrition, and Pediatric Weight Management, takes a similar approach. She shares, “I am passionate about helping people focus on what to add, rather than what to take away. When we spend all our time focusing on what to avoid, we miss out on the bigger picture of healthy nutrition and all the wonderful foods we want to fill our plate with. I enjoy learning about my clients’ favorite foods and working to incorporate them in a balanced and sustainable way.”
Myth #5: My doctor already told me about diet and how to eat better. Working with a registered dietitian will just be a repeat.
Registered dietitians are professionals who work collaboratively with physicians. They are not there just to regurgitate the information in a printout from a provider visit.
Carol Medins of WakeMed Pediatric Gastroenterology and Outpatient Nutrition shares, “The approach to caring for patients is collaborative — we all work together to care for patients and their families. Each member of the team plays a vital role.”
Dietitians are uniquely positioned in a patient’s care team. They are well-versed in how nutrition can impact health to effectively make changes.
Myth #6: My registered dietitian will ask me to eat in ways that are not realistic for my lifestyle.
Rebecca Simpson of Outpatient Nutrition, Pediatric Weight Management and Cancer Care – Hematology and Medical Oncology loves to work with her clients — not for them.
She says, “Collaborating with patients to set goals that are achievable is my top priority.”
She also enjoys the challenge of taking a patient’s natural food proclivities and using those preferences to show clients how best to change their habits.
Rebecca says, “I like to learn how to prevent and treat diseases with diet and enjoy working with patients to discover how small but realistic changes can add up.”
These baby steps are what make an impact for the long haul in a patient’s life.
Many dietitians, including Parul Kharod, who works with clients in Outpatient Nutrition, Diabetes Management, the Kidney Stone Clinic, Adult Gastroenterology and Primary Care, help clients connect their eating patterns to other lifestyle habits.
Kharod says, “Your body and mind are interconnected, and your diet and overall lifestyle affect your whole body and your overall health. The foundation of routine and mindful eating and mindful living guide my appointments.”
Myth #7: Registered dietitians just tell me what I can’t eat.
Nicole Federica, of Maternal Fetal Medicine, helps patients understand that improving nutrition does not mean perfection, and she encourages patients to manage thinking.
“Shift your mindset from all-or-nothing thinking to embracing a continuum.”
She believes “One of the goals should be focusing on addition rather than restriction.” With that in mind, she asks patients, “What can you add to your day or week that will increase nutritional value and support the goals you are trying to reach?”
Eating after bariatric surgery is often seen as one of the most restrictive ways of eating, but nutrition can still be individualized within the guidelines. In fact, the WakeMed bariatric dietitians all value incorporating a client’s food preferences.
Emily Hobbs expresses, “I became a dietitian because it is fascinating how all types of food nourish our physical bodies as well as our minds and mental health.”
Julianne Tobin echoes this, explaining, “As a dietitian, I work with patients to balance the foods they enjoy and eat on a regular basis with what fits their health goals. I wish more people knew how flexible nutrition could be!”
Taking away foods to improve blood sugar is another misconception with nutrition and how a dietitian may approach an appointment.
Instead, Ginny Wolf of Diabetes Management recommends, “Add more whole grains and fiber to your diet.”
She also encourages patients after they have made changes but haven’t reached their final goals.
“Be proud of yourself. It may not show on the outside as much as the inside.”
What’s more, dietitians do more than address diet.
Julie Paul, supervisor of Outpatient Nutrition explains, “Dietitians know so much about improving overall health and can help people make lasting lifestyle changes including eating mindfully, managing stress, improving sleep and increasing physical activity. We can help patients formulate a plan to develop new habits to help them feel better and prevent chronic disease. When people feel better and have more energy, they are motivated to continue making positive changes.”
Fact: Registered dietitians approach food and nutrition in a non-judgmental, evidenced-based, patient-centered way.
Marissa Parminter, of Corporate and Community Health, sums it up nicely.
“Food is much more than just fuel for your body — it is woven into cultures, traditions and social life. That means the food you eat should be more than just nourishing — it should also be fun, delicious and satisfying. If it is not, consider how sustainable that eating pattern is, and whether it is truly ‘healthy’ for you.”
A dietitian is a person who is on your side to help you achieve your goals in the most realistic way. There is nothing to fear.
Meredith Ebersohl of Outpatient Nutrition, Primary Care and Pediatric Weight Management explains, “I am often told at the end of a first meeting how relieved clients are to learn that the visit with me was not what they expected. They thought they would be leaving with a long list of foods to avoid, but instead they leave feeling encouraged and empowered.”
March is National Nutrition Month.
March 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of National Nutrition Month. During this annual campaign formed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, you are encouraged to learn more about how food and nutrition impact your life.
If you would like to consult with a registered dietitian, WakeMed can help.
Schedule an appointment.
Accessing care through our WakeMed registered dietitians is based on the health service being rendered. Some are available by specialty referral only. Some are available through your WakeMed Primary Care provider. WakeMed registered dietitians work in a variety of practices and offer specialized services per the individual needs of each patient.
For information about how to schedule a consult, contact your provider, review options in your WakeMed MyChart account or call 919-350-7000 to speak to a Call Center representative. In-person and virtual visits are available.
Your insurance plan may require a referral for nutrition services. Nearly all major insurance plans cover nutrition/dietary counseling, including Medicare and Medicaid. Self-pay is also available at WakeMed.
