Wanting to follow a diet or rebalance your diet requires support. A nutritionist doctor can help you when it comes to food. When to consult it? How to recognize a good nutritionist? What is the price ?
A nutritionist is the food specialist. He is interested in the care of related diseases to this theme as well as to everything related to food intolerances. Consulting a nutritionist can also be beneficial in the case of food rebalancing. What is a nutritionist? What is the difference with a dietitian? How to recognize a good nutritionist? How much does it cost ?
Definition: what is a nutritionist?
This doctor, a food specialist, is your privileged interlocutor in the prevention, screening and management of nutrition-related diseases such as diabetes, obesity and overweightas well as in the screening for food intolerances. It is also involved in the treatment of eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia..). His precise knowledge of foods, their composition and their effects on health, allows him to provide advice and to establish nutritional programs adapted to the needs of patients. Finally, a nutritionist doctor takes your medical and surgical history into account and can request additional examinations if necessary.
First you have to follow 6 years of study at the faculty of medicine. At this end, you will have the choice between two courses: the University Diploma in Nutrition accessible to general practitioners or internship in endocrine-diabetology, ie a minimum of nine years (generalist) and often more (specialist).
What is the difference between dietician nutritionist and doctor nutritionist?
► A dietician is a health professional expert in nutrition but he has not studied medicine. After the baccalaureate, he followed a BTS specialized in dietetics or DUT in biological engineering, dietetics option. Studies that last about two years. He develops personalized nutritional programs to improve the patient’s nutritional balance. He can work in collaboration with doctors or in communities (school canteen, retirement homes, etc.), he can practice as a liberal or in the hospital.
► A doctor-nutritionist has undergone medical training. He can prescribe health examinations and medications. He works as a liberal or within a hospital environment.
Can we consult a nutritionist to lose weight?
In case of weight disorders without complications, you can consult a dietician or a doctor-nutritionist. “On the other hand, if you have other health problems (diabetes, excess cholesterol, obesity, hypertensioninflammatory diseases of the colon or joints, etc.), if you think you have food intolerances such as gluten or if you are at a period of your life requiring nutritional support (pregnancy, menopause, weight loss, etc.) a visit to a doctor will be more appropriate”, says Dr. Catherine Serfaty-Lacriosnière, doctor-nutritionist.
Why consult a nutritionist?
It has now been proven that consulting a doctor-nutritionist makes it possible toincrease the chances of successful weight loss. “Consulting also makes it possible to better prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease in people who are at risk, explains Dr. Serfaty-Lacriosnière. Finally, this also translates into an improvement in daily comfort for patients with irritable bowel syndrome or various pains because the diet can be anti-inflammatory.”
“He must offer you a personalized diet with realistic goals.”
There is no “miracle” diet that works for everyone. Each person has their story. An eating plan that works for one won’t necessarily work for another. It is therefore very important that the doctor you see listens to you to understand your eating problems and that he seeks to know the causes of your weight gain and knows your medical problems. “He must offer you a personalized diet with realistic goals. It is a long process”, assures Dr. Serfaty-Lacrosnière.
” During the first session, which lasts about 30 to 45 minutes, the nutritionist asks you about the reasons that led you to consult him and how you gained or lost weight, says Dr. Serfaty-Lacrosnière. This session is also an opportunity to know your ideal weight and that of form, to point out dietary errors thanks to a food diary as well as to discuss your medical and surgical history. The doctor must examine you, weigh you and offer you a blood test when a pathology is mentioned and we have not had a recent check-up. It is of course during this first consultation that he will give you his first nutritional advice and establish your personalized diet. He can refer you to other specialists if he deems it necessary. Thereafter, the consultations are shorter. “They aim improve your eating habits and health, find out if everything is going well and of course motivate you, adds our expert. The doctor will review your difficulties to help you iron them out. He will also tell you about your physical activity, sleep and the fight against stress.
How many consultations are needed with a nutritionist?
It all depends on the problem encountered. As a rule, they take place every three weeks to a month. Many nutritionists advise continued monitoring once or twice a year to ensure weight stabilization and improved daily comfort.
How much does a consultation with a nutritionist cost?
Unlike a consultation with a dietitian, a session with a nutritionist can be reimbursed by Social Security if you consult a doctor approved in sector 1 or 2. The cost is between €25 if contracted for sector 1 and of 70 to 150 euros if it is in free fees (sector 2). If you consult a sector 3 doctor (not under agreement), you will have a minimal reimbursement by social security but your mutual insurance company can supplement this reimbursement depending on your contract. Find out about it.
Thanks to Dr. Catherine Serfaty-Lacriosnière, doctor-nutritionist.