
Dietitians & Medical Nutrition Therapy
Dietitians are nutritionists with special training in severe medical conditions and inpatient care. Examples include acute kidney injury, neonatal intensive care, severe malnutrition, parenteral and enteral nutrition, and life threatening infection or injury.
Patients who are hospitalized often have special nutritional needs. Dietitians will evaluate the patient and adjust the diet to meet those needs. A great example can be found in the case of burns. The dietitian may supplement the patients diet with additional amino acids. Additionally, if the patient can not consume enough food by mouth, the dietitian may prescribe an intravenous formula (into the veins) or a feeding tube diet.
Although dietitians have special education and permissions that land them in the hospital setting, dietitians can work anywhere.
There are plenty of dietitians like me who work in outpatient facilities or private practices. These dietitians can spend more time educating and motivating their clients. In addition to clinical nutrition, dietitians are trained for community nutrition (public health) and foodservice management.
All dietitians are educated on the nutrition therapy for:
- Kidney Disease
- Liver Disease & Cirrhosis
- Gallbladder Diseases
- Autoimmunity
- Allergies
- Obesity
- Cancer
- COPD and lung diseases
- Cognitive Disorders
- Genetic Disorders of Metabolism
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Disorders
- Chewing and swallowing difficulties
- Pre- & Post-Surgery
As a Dietitian, I provide outpatient medical nutrition therapy and nutrition education. I can collaborate with your medical team to create and implement the proper nutrition plan.
The Nutrition Care Process
The dietetics practice is defined and outlined by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. To ensure quality care, dietitians follow the academy’s Nutrition Care Process, a standardized flow of care. This flow is: Assessment, Nutrition Diagnosis, Nutrition Intervention, Nutrition Monitoring/Evaluation, & Re-Assessment.
Nutrition assessment can include a nutrition focused physical exam, health history, lab values, and of course, an evaluation of the current diet. The point of the assessment is ultimately to determine the nutrition diagnosis. The client and dietitian then choose the nutrition intervention that is both helpful and realistic.
Follow-up appointments allow the dietitian to monitor the diagnosed nutrition problem and determine if the intervention is working. This is a time to reflect on the patients experience with the intervention and to add new interventions if necessary.
This process integrates with healthcare and insurance, and encourages professional skill building in communication, evidence-based practice, ethics, and documentation.
FAQ
It’s common for people to think their nutritionist will tell them they have to “eat this way” and “stop eating those foods.” While many professionals may give this advice, I know that it causes feelings of deprivation, disrupting your progress.
When we work together, my job is to inform and problem-solve with you. Then, we come up with possible changes together. These changes can be focused on nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress, or supplemental/herbal products when relevant. In the end, you decide on a change you’d like to try.
The change can be a baby step such as eating a serving of fresh fruit five days a week or as complex as switching to a Mediterranean diet. When we meet again, we’ll review your experience with the change and consider your next steps.
Luckily, there are many roads to your health goal. If you aren’t interested or motivated by a specific nutrition strategy, we’ll develop something new. Ultimately, it’s all about sustainable changes for lifelong health, so there’s no need to stick with methods that don’t work.
It’s typical to meet a nutritionist weekly for 55 minutes for 4-6 weeks. However, some people prefer a written plan to follow on their own.
Everyone has lots to learn when they first talk with a nutrition expert, and many are trying to find the motivation to change their diet pattern. Regular, weekly meetings with a behavior change specialist have proven to help jumpstart behavior changes.
Alternative schedules are an option as well. Some would like more frequent meetings or less frequent meetings. I also offer shorter, follow-up sessions and a RD Concierge service if that works best for you.
My training included nutrition for all medical conditions impacted by diet.
Food allergies – kidney & liver health – lifecycle nutrition – weight management – cancer (prevention and complementary care) – inflammatory conditions including chronic inflammatory response syndrome – men’s health – and more!
My specialties lie in cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal tract issues, and conditions related to blood sugar (diabetes).
Lifestyles in Nutrition is an outpatient clinic and does not provide medical treatments. However, I can collaborate with your team if you’re receiving medical treatment from another facility and are interested in additional nutrition consulting or a complimentary care plan.
There are many conditions that I can address. If you’re concerned about a condition not listed, call me and we can explore our options.
- Aetna
- Cigna
- Medicare
Currently $20 OFF your first appointment.
Nutrition consults are $95 for 55 minutes. While follow-ups are typically 55 minutes I do offer 40 min. or 25 min. follow-ups depending on the needs of each client. Clients get 15% OFF of nutrition consults when purchased in a package of four.
Our work together goes through the entire nutrition care process. This includes:
- Personalized assessment where we identify the nutrition problem
- Education and a nutrition intervention which you and I design together
- Follow-up monitoring and evaluation to help us understand if our strategies are working of if we need a new approach
If you have more questions or would like to talk further before scheduling your initial session, we can set up a 10 minute exploratory phone call for us to chat about how I can support you with your nutrition goals.
Herbal medicine and/or supplement guidance consults are $65 for our first appointment (55 minutes). We review your health history and gather necessary information so that we can create a plan that is safe and effective. Our follow-up consults for herbs and/or supplements are typically 40 minutes or shorter.
Herbs and supplements are sold separately. Supplements are 15% off for all clients.
For further question, call (425) 633-2022 or email at MKoontz@LifestylesinNutrition.com. If you’re ready to work on your eating habits, schedule online today!
Training in western herbal medicine revolves around herbs native to North America and Europe. The tradition began in ancient Greece and Rome and was refined with time; by the 1800s, herbal physiomedicalists organized and printed traditional herbal uses. The physiomedicalist tradition was central to my herbal medicine education.
I incorporate today’s scientific evidence and the modern understanding of human pathophysiology to guide formulation. Modern science helps me create an effective and safe formula and better understand the values and limitations of herbs. As a result, well-educated professionals can use herbs more effectively than ever before in human history.
Appropriate contexts for herbal medicine
- Gastrointestinal system & digestion
- Respiratory system
- Immune system & inflammation
- Mucosal membranes (nose, throat, etc.)
- Fever & cold
- Skin & topical infections
- Autoimmunity, especially food sensitivity
- Kidney & Liver functions
- Cancers
- Sleep
- Stress
Important: medical care supersedes herbal therapy. Getting a doctor’s opinion and insight into your condition is essential. In many cases, herbs will supplement your medical care plan, not replace it. In some cases, herbs are not recommended.
Absolutely! Supplement recommendations are already provided to clients receiving nutrition consulting. But for those who just want a supplement plan and no nutrition guidance can schedule as well.
Supplements are 15% off for clients & 10% off for everyone else!
What to Expect
We will meet for 55 minutes to review your health history, current medication, allergies, health concerns, as well as past and current supplement use. Certain combinations of drugs, supplements, herbs, and food can cause unwanted interactions. So, a thorough background is necessary to ensure safety.
Based on the supplement and condition, we may choose to meet up again briefly to re-evaluate the supplement plan. We may discontinue or swap out supplements based on changes in signs and symptoms as well as clinical standards. Most supplements aren’t meant for long term use.
I can see individuals, couples, families, or other groups. It’s often helpful to bring family members to our meetings and get them on the same page. Having family support helps immensely.
I don’t organize group nutrition education. However, I can lead your group through nutrition education or facilitate nutrition-related support groups. Guest speaking is another option. Contact me if you’d like more information.