by Kebbie Stine, CNTP
Healthcare has come a long way over the last century; we have moved from being passive observers to becoming informed advocates in our own health journey. We have access to alternative medicines and therapies like chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, nutrition, herbs and supplements. We now know the importance of lifestyle habits like adequate sleep, regular exercise, and stress management on our overall health, and can use these tools to prevent chronic disease or heal the body. Make sure the right nutrition is in your toolbox!
There is no one size fits all nutrition plan, everyone is an individual and has distinct needs. A nutritionist can help advise and guide based on personal health and lifestyle goals.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes four stages in changing health behavior: contemplation, preparation, action and maintenance. When attempting to create healthier habits, to treat or prevent a health condition, you may be stuck in one of these stages. A nutrition professional can help with the contemplation stage through educating about specific nutrients that may benefit or treat a particular concern. Anticipate pitfalls and plan your meals for the preparation stage, or teach about menu planning and food preparation. Action and maintenance can be addressed with check-in visits to stay motivated and track progress.
Here are five great reasons to seek the advice of a nutritionist:
General Nutrition Questions
Have questions about your diet, when to eat, or what to eat based on your lifestyle? Trying to hit an athletic target? Or maybe you have experienced digestive upset, inflammation, or have concerns about nutrient deficiencies? A general nutrition consultation can help you take that next step into figuring out what works best for you.
Fertility/Pregnancy/Postpartum
Nutrition needs vary from preconception to conception, and from pregnancy to postpartum. During preconception, nutrition is focused on hormone balance and getting both parents as healthy as possible. During the prenatal phase, nutrition focuses on nourishing mom and baby. Finally, the postpartum term requires focusing on healing, re-balancing, and lactation. These stages are the ideal time to evaluate your diet to ensure you are meeting the nutritional requirements to help you feel your best.
Pediatric Nutrition
A healthy diet is key for growing minds and bodies! Pediatric nutrition can range from when/how to start solid foods, picky eaters to specific health concerns (GI issues, eczema, ADHD, etc). A nutrition evaluation can answer questions about your child’s nutrient needs and help to guide you in the right direction.
Autoimmune Disease
Whether you were recently diagnosed or have been living with symptoms for a while, autoimmune disorders can be challenging and overwhelming. A knowledgeable nutritionist can help to guide you back to health through diet and lifestyle, and give you the tools to get you back to feeling great, even when living with autoimmunity.
Nutritional Lab Testing
Nutritional lab testing can be a beneficial tool to help uncover root causes of individual health concerns and symptoms. At Washington Park Chiropractic we offer food sensitivity testing, micronutrient testing, and the GI MAP to take a closer look at the microbiome and overall digestion.
Regardless of what your specific challenges or goals include, meeting with a qualified nutrition professional can help you feel your best and conquer your goals. Afterall, the greatest wealth is your health!
Kebbie Stine is a Certified Nutrition Therapy Practitioner in the Denver area. She practices nutrition therapy at Washington Park Chiropractic and is the owner of Whole Choice Nutrition Therapy. Contact Kebbie at nutrition@washparkchiro.com