Nutrition Counseling

Nutrition counseling: Nutrition counseling is a process in which an

individual's dietary intake is assessed by a health professional so that they
can identify any change that required. Nutrition counselor provides
information, educational materials support and follow- to help the individual
make maintain the needed dietary. There are 2 types of nutrition. They are
1. Autotrophic. 2. Heterotrophic.
1. Autotrophic: These organisms prepare their own food and they are
divided into (a) Phototrophic; this organism prepares food in presence of
sunlight, water, carbon dioxide e.g. green plant. (b) chemetrophotic; this
prepares food in the presence of chemicals such as nitrate, hydrogen
sulphide, iron etc. i.e. Sulphur bacteria.
2. Heterotrophic: This is divided into 3. They are Holozoic; Animals eat
their own food.
Saprophytic; organisms feed on dead and decaying organic matters.
Parasitic; organisms obtain food from other living organisms.

7 classes of food are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals,

dietary fibre and water.

Nutrition counseling process.

- Nutrition assessment- Nutrition Diagnosis, nutrition intervention
- Nutrition Monitoring and evaluation.
- Start with the serving size, very important when thinking about how
much you eat.
 Look at the calorie count. Know your daily values (DV).
 Limit certain nutrients. Understand how to use your daily values
 Increase certain nutrients.
 Need the ingredients.
 Basic stages of counseling
1. Developing the client/clinician relationship
2. Clarifying and assessing the present problem or situation.
3. Identifying and setting counseling or treatment goes
4. Designing and implementing intervention.
5. Planning terminal and follow up.

Importance of Nutrition.
i. it provides healthy pregnancy outcomes
ii. support normal growth development and ageing
iii. helps to maintain body weight
iv. reduces the risk of chronic disease leading to overall health and
Wellbeing
v. improve infant, child and maternal health
vi. builds up stronger immune system, safer pregnancy and child birth
vii. lower risk of diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and
promote longevity

Role of the Nutritionist

 Evaluating clients’ healthy needs
 Monitoring clients’ progress
 Adjusting plans needed
 Discussing nutrition and eating habits with clients
 Developing educational resources for clients
 Determining the best nutrition plan for each client
Benefits of Nutrition Counseling
The nutritionist uses nutrition to increase energy, improve sleep quality,
strengthen immune system, boost mood, increase concentration and
reduce symptoms of disease
1. Various condition can benefit from nutrition counseling including
Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and insulin resistance. Food you eat
have effect on your wellness, so learning how to choose nourishing food
helps you gain better control and reverse these condition
2. Weight loss; A nutritionist can create a meal plan that can promote
wellness and weight loss
3. Healthy habits that last; you have the knowledge to make better
choice when you learn about proper nutrition and how to apply it to your
daily wellness plan
4. Better fitness; what you eat impacts many aspects of health,
including fitness. Nutrition counselor can help you plan a meal to increase
muscle mass, build stamina, improve strength and boost your overall
fitness by knowing exactly what your body need. To reach fitness goals.
Nutrition Counselor can also recommend specific fitness to help meet your
goals.