Did You See A Nutritionist?

[uclangel422]

My doctor referred me to a nutritionist but there were no available appointments for another month, plus it is expensive and not covered by my insurance. I was wondering if anyone here saw a nutritionist when they were first starting out and it was worth the money.

Thanks for the help.

[angel-jd1]

When I was diagnosed I was referred to a nutritionist/dietician and she was NO help. She sat there and talked about portion sizes with her plastic food and had no information on celiac!!! Worthless in my opinion.

-Jessica

[tarnalberry]

No, but I already did a lot of cooking from scratch and had done a lot of research on nutrition and food. If you're not up to speed on those subjects, it may be worth your while, but if you are, it may not.

[KarenCM]

I went to one but couldn't get an appointment until over a month after I was diagnosed. I felt like I knew more than she did. She just gave me some handouts some of which I already read off the internet.

Karen

[mytummyhurts]

I saw one and it was a total waste of time. She even said before I sat down that they really didn't know very much about this disease and she just had handouts. I wonder how much my insurance company paid for those papers? I haven't really even read them, the ones I did had some out of date or wrong info. Maybe if you call around and try to find somebody specializing in celiac disease. Otherwise, I would say don't bother.

[KaitiUSA]

I find that they don't seem to know much about celiac. I was told I could have spelt hmm since when could I have a form of wheat? I think not!

I don't really trust anyone but myself when it comes to this...one mistake can make life miserable for quite a while so I make sure I check absolutely everything. If you want a nutritionist to help plan meals or give you some ideas on what to eat thats fine but make sure you find out that the things she/he recommends are gluten free

[ianm]

You are going to find better (and cheaper) information on this website than you will ever get from a nutritionist. The people on this message board have all been there and done that so we know what works and what doesn't.

[uclangel422]

Thanks for the input. I have read so much stuff already that i cannot imagine anything they could give me that i havent read.

[Carriefaith]

The nutritionist that I went to did know a lot about celiac disease. There were a few things that she told me that I did not know at the time, however, most of the things she talked about I already knew.

I think nutritionists are like doctors... some are good and some are not so good!

[Guest gillian502]

Seeing a nutritionist is worthwhile IF they specialize in this disease, otherwise they're no good. The first one I saw was a total waste, but the one I see now, on a twice a year basis, works with Dr. Alessio Fasano at the Celiac Center at the U. Of Md., so she's good. It all depends on where you are and who you see. I'm fortunate to live an hour away from Dr. Fasano, who is known to be the big expert on Celiac.

[Guest Lucy]

My son had just been diagnosed for 2 weeks when I went. I knew NOTHING about the disease before I went. I knew more than her.

I tried to tell her what I learned, and she ignored me. I think she was angry that I knew more.

SO DONT spend the money. I learned all I needed to on the net. Good luck.

[Canadian Karen]

Total waste of time and money. The one I went to see knew nothing except how to hand out pamplets, most of which I already had.....

Karen

[christle]

I agree. The only good thing that came from the nutritionist was that she encouraged me to have my daughter tested for celiac. Once she was tested by her family doctor we went back to visit the nutritionist for ideas on eating properly gluten-free. She was clueless and handed out pamphlets that were outdated. Waste of time!

[tammy]

I think it depends on what you are looking to obtain from an appointment with a Nutritionist. My nutritionist was definitely worth seeing and paying out of pocket(OUCH) But I believe he had extensive knowledge, wisdom and experience. I believe he had a PhD. in his field of education.

But I also do agree that there is so much information here and the other members can be such a great resource.

[MySonElliot]

My advice is to make an appointment with a Registered Dietitian, not a nutritionist. All RDs are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are RD. An RD requires not only a BA in Nutrition, but a yearlong internship in the different areas of nutrition (community, clinical, food service, etc) and passage of the ADA's test, along with 75 hours of continuing education that they must complete every 5 five. Anyone claiming to have nutritional experience (selling supplements, or just an interest in nutrition, etc.) can be called a nutritionist because very few states regulate this title (thus, the ADA began the practice of using "Dietitian"). How do I know all of this... well I live with a dietitian, my wife. But in all seriousness, this disease is finally coming to light, not only in the medical world (where it seems that its constantly misdiagnosed) but in the dietitic world). There's good RDs out there, just like there's terrible ones. Best advice: if you don't like the advice someone is giving (or not giving) you, go to someone else (just like you would with a doctor).

[celiac3270]

  uclangel422 said:

Thanks for the input. I have read so much stuff already that i cannot imagine anything they could give me that i havent read.

LOL...you will . I felt the same way after a few months at this board--and found much more along the way

[Turtle]

Hey!

It's taken me over a month to get an appt w/ the nutritionist my dr recommended too. The nutritionist they referred me to is the daughter-in-law of one of the 2 doctors in the practice I go to. I hope she is Celiac educated but I admit I have been debating whether to cancel my appt too. I have to pay out of pocket as well. Although myy insurance said "sure we'll pay for it since it's medically necessary but unfortunately there are no nutirionists in your area, or in any of the surrounding states". IMAGINE THAT!

Decisions....decisions.....

[citygirl114]

I saw a registered dietician which fortunately in Canada is paid for on our medical plan. She was very helpful...gave me lots of brochures for research and a list of vitamins to take to help bring my deficiencies under control. One of our local grocery store chains has a program that a nutritionist will take you on a tour and teach how to read labels on all food products. I haven't signed up for it yet but am hoping it is helpful.

Penny

[uclangel422]

I decided to not go right now. I think that maybe i will down the road if i need to, but its just way too much money. Plus the one the Dr. recommended has the strangest hours and i would have to take almost a full day off from work.

[Turtle]

I too decided to hold off....I'd rather use the $ to buy some of those Pamela's gluten-free brownie mix. HAHA!

Plus I did a little more research and read that you should really see a dietician instead of a nutritionist. Either way, i'm currently satisfied w/ all that I learn here...and it's fun and friendly and the best part....I don't have to sit in traffic to get to you guys! YIPPEE!!

[luvs2eat]

By the time the hospital nutritionist called me back, I was giving HER information. Like other have said, I was one who loved to cook for many years and knew a lot about what goes into foods and recipes.

I went to a program at our hospital and was so surprised to see so many Celiacs in the room. This dopey woman spent an hour pushing her "feng shui" business and how our intestines would feel so much better if we embraced her "life wellness" crap. She fed us some really crappy gluten-free brownies and handed out a "forbidden foods" list. I left at intermission... but not before telling some people around me about the sources of info I'd found already.

I went home and wrote to the program director and asked, "Now, who's been diagnosed with celiac disease who doesn't ALREADY have a forbidden foods list??" Not to mention, I have way more detailed lists than she handed out!! They refunded my money!! I wasn't the only one who complained!