Improving Your Diet Through Nutrition Counseling at RLI

What type of diet should I follow to help me lose weight?
How can I achieve healthy cholesterol levels?
What's the best way for me to get more fiber in my diet?

If you listen closely, anywhere you go, you can hear people discussing the hottest "diet" or the newest "miracle" food on the market and the purported health benefits. Of course, with the overabundance of nutrition and health books available, you can find answers to these questions. However, the easiest and most effective way to answer all your questions (and the best way to discuss the hottest or newest nutrition issues) is to seek nutrition counseling from a registered dietitian.

What is nutrition counseling?
Basically, nutrition counseling entails meeting with a nutrition professional (specifically a registered dietitian) so that your current diet or food intake can be assessed and recommendations can be made for more healthful alternatives. The topics that can be discussed are endless and may include:

• Increasing fruit and vegetable intake
• Proper serving sizes and portion control
• Healthy fats and cholesterol
• Controlling your blood sugar (if you have diabetes) through diet
• Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs) for vitamins and minerals
• Adequate water intake
• Healthful vegetarian eating
• Safety and effectiveness of herbal supplements
• Shopping tips and menu planning

Why is nutrition counseling a valuable part of the research experience at RLI?
Nutrition counseling at RLI is often part of research protocols. These protocols often specify exactly what topics to cover with research participants in order to meet the nutrition goals of the study. But even though the counseling is guided by the protocols for the study, the counseling is personalized to fit the needs of each subject. When a question is discussed, any answers or recommendations are highly individualized. Based on your medical history, or particular food preferences, or even your daily schedule, you can learn how to make effective and easy changes in your food intake to better your health. The more personalized the recommendations, the easier they will be to follow. The easier they are to follow, the more likely you are to get your life on the healthy track.