I'm a Dietitian - ask me anything

[doesthisseemright]

This one may be a bit dull but ask away.

Mariawaria, it sounds like a healthy plan to me. It would be good to add some whole grains or low GI carbohydrates but this doesn’t need to be a huge amount and best from, as mentioned, wholegrain sources /high fibre. (beans/pulses would be good or quinoa). Energy is about balance – a good balance of lean protein, some whole grain and low GI carbs, veggies and healthy fats. Make sure you are drinking enough water and eating iron containing food. I would think the seeds should be ok, without having an exact amount, unless causing weight gain or bowel issues – which it sounds like is a negative.

@doesthisseemright

I have done a 4 year undergrad in nutrition and human health. But not all AP’s have the same level of education

Yes, I was going to say loads of nutrition grads plus new grad dietitians looks for AP jobs. It's all so odd but I guess working around the loss if bursaries. (I paid for mine- no bursary). What do you think of it all?

How do you feel about the amount of coconut milk and avocados currently being consumed by the clean eaters?

Isn't all this a heart attack waiting to happen?

I’m quite excited. Have been looking at masters in dietetics but the nearest is 100+ miles away. I’m currently not in a position to uproot my life and it’s too far to commute.
I just hope that there is the right level of support and knowledge. My fear is that (as we’re so short staffed), we’ll just be expected to get on with it. If done properly it could be great.

VanillaSugar, avocados should be ok but coconut milk is pretty high in saturated fat. The thing with that is we still don't have enough definitive evidence to say whether the sat fat in coconut milk is a "better" sat fat so what we are happy to say is - still avoid sat fats so people shouldn't just swap all fats for coconut based but if a recipe suits coconut oil then ok to use them.
At the end of the day, it comes down to genes too. I do worry about what will happen for people with all the questions and misinformation around saturated fat,

moomoomonkey how does it work? Do you have a day a week at Uni or something?

Hi, I have a question! What are your thoughts on probiotics like kefir. I've been struggling with minor gut issues for a couple of years (crohns excluded, same for colitis and all the other tests came back clear too).

I've been thinking of trying kefir but not sure it is a good plan?

EnterFunnyNameHere, I think probiotic containing foods are great! The thing that people forget is, however, that you need to couple this with eating prebiotic foods. You can add all the good bacteria but you need to feed them and make sure the environment is suitable for them. This means a good variety of fruit, vegetables with garlic, onion, greens and whole grains like oats, barley. Balance :)

Thanks doesthis, I think I'm ok generally with diet (could be better of course), but kefir gets such rave write ups I did wonder if it's too good to be true! But might try it and see if it helps

I am so upset you didn't get an info sheet!!

Please don't be – all understandable (don't want to waste your time with the whole story), some foods on the official lists OH can't take anyway and consultant, putting her on the urgent operating list, said low residue was no longer necessary.

Thanks for your follow up.

Can I ask you, my son is incredibly skinny. He is 14 and skinny is the only word to describe him. His Dad is 6ft 3 an addict and very skinny. I'm petite and always been slim until my 30's when I started to get a few curves...my sons appearance really bothers him, he is starting a new school and the first thing they commented on was his weight and if he has issues.
He wants to bulk up and I'd like to be able to help him. What is the best and healthiest way to approach this? Do I need to discuss with a GP? or are there things we can start doing at home to see if he can gain weight?

What has been your career path to date?

Hi OP, apologies if this has been covered already, I'm still catching up with the thread.

I found your post about private dietetics really interesting, and have a few questions relating to PKU:

1/ Would any/all private dieticians be up-to-speed with current PKU guidelines & treatment, or would the lack of expertise preclude seeing a private dietician at all?

2/ Assuming they're well trained/informed in this area, would a private dietician be better for supporting someone with PKU and weight issues (than the rushed and poorly supported NHS dieticians)?

3/ Can you give a ballpark idea of cost, please?

Huge thanks!

This is a long shot - and is not about losing weight!

My poor OH has PD and is wasting away. He is now 6stone 9lbs- it is pitiful to behold. The PD slows down his gut and food sits around in his stomach for hours and he feels full all the time. We have seen a dietician and he has Ensure. But the problem is that it fills him up to gunnels and then he can't eat a meal!

He does eat, but with no enjoyment and only in small quantities.

He looks like something out of Belsen. I am at a total loss as to what to do.

Any advice on weight loss? I've been trying for 2 and a half years and unable to lose weight, tried everything, every diet, even had help from gp, currently doing slimming world but this isn't working either

Any tips for children with Autism please

My son only eats ..

Activia yoghurts, apples, bananas, grapes, raisins, strawberries, cucumber, tomatoes, toast, weetabix, any kind of chocolate, cheese cut into little cubes, breadsticks, buttered crackers and spaghetti hoops & beans,

No meals, nothing other than what's on the list above, it's same foods different day,

Has been like this for 2 years, & under no circumstances will he try anything else, I have literally tried every trick in the book.

He drinks water, a little milk and juice & has a multivitamin with iron each day,

75th centile for weight,

50th centile for height,

Our Paediatrician is not bothered about it says it's common & not to worry, even after the length of time it's been going on, but I am bothered & do worry & I'm desperate to change it.

Thank you

How do you get your clients to manage their hunger when trying to lose weight? Whichever diet I choose, I am always hangry. I have a BMI of 27 and don't get enough exercise. I think I have a fairly well-balanced diet, apart from too many 'treats'. My portion control is also shocking.
Thanks

danni I'm not a dietitian and have no experience of children with autism, however I do have a veg refusing DS aged 11.
I found these frozen cubes of puréed veg aimed obviously at weening babies, but I started to put 1 or 2 into his other foods when I could.
They're made by Lickalix. I get them from Ocado. Not cheap at £4.99 for 20 cubes. Just keep them in the freezer and add 1 ( or start with half) to anything you can eg his spaghetti hoops.
It's not great because I'm only getting DS to eat veg by stealth when really he needs to learn to enjoy them and choose them himself.... but it's one way I've found of getting some veg into him.
They do spinach broccoli & peas; or carrot butternut squash and sweet potato. This second one is probably easier to start with because it's sweeter and wouldn't change the colour of the hoops sauce.

What are your thoughts on protein powder used alongside a balanced diet?

(I do not mean meal replacement. I mean adding protein powder to porriage etc, or as a shake after exercise)

It seems to be a low calorie way of getting extra protein. But it is a processed food and I can't think of wholefood equivalents.

Thank you JulianOfNorwich. X

Why is the NHS advice, especially that given to people with diabetes of all kinds, so woefully out of date? Why do NHS dieticians insist on pushing carbohydrates?

Do you feel qualified to give advice in specialist areas - Eating Disorders, Diabetes etc?

doesthisseemright great thread, thanks for starting

do you have any advice for non-alcoholic fatty liver and triglycerides? I don't really fit the criteria; I don't eat red meat, fried foods, cakes, drink alcohol, fizzy drinks etc, I'm careful with what I eat as am gluten & dairy free due to IBS.

So I'm struggling to know how to improve the liver. I have a green juice a few times a week, porridge in the morning. I'm more a yoga exercise person than aerobics but think I should change that. Not excessively overweight either, probably a stone or so. Thanks.

What is your opinion on certains foods and skin conditions (psoriasis) Have read a lot in regards to how certain foods can aggravate the condition or halt progress in treating it. Looking on ways to improve my diet to help my skin and not sure what to believe when scanning the internet.

Great post! Has taught me a great deal.

How do I clean my husbands work clothes that are dark and have oil on them?