A typical appointment
'Nutritional therapists' work with patients to overcome problems such as allergies, hormone imbalance, skin disorders and many other conditions. They are trained to work in clinical practice and are members of organisations such as The British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy (BANT) and voluntarily regulated by The Nutritional Therapy Council.
Patients will be required to complete a health questionnaire prior to the appointment date. A food diary may be required too. Once your therapist has this information, the consultation will involve discussion, treatments and recommendations.
Finally, depending upon the presenting condition or reason for your visit, diagnostic tests are carried out using tongue analysis, nail and skin analysis, blood pressure monitoring, Body Mass Index, acid/alkaline testing or further laboratory testing (at extra cost if appropriate). Supplements, herbal remedies and sundries are at extra cost and will be discussed at the time of consultation.
What to expect
During your first appointment your nutrition practitioner will ask questions about medical history, diet and lifestyle to understand your problem. As well as questioning, they may employ various nutritional techniques such as food sensitivity tests, allergy tests or stool testing, although these are not always necessary and will always be discussed at the consultation. These will help to see if you have any nutrition deficiencies, food allergies or high toxic levels in the body. The results of these tests will give a better understanding of your health and the best way to overcome any problems you may have.
Once your nutrition practitioner has got to the root of your problem, they will suggest foods that will be beneficial to you and any foods that should be avoided. They may recommend a specific diet and the use of supplements aimed at helping your recovery. Menu plans may be appropriate and also recipe suggestions too. Your nutritional therapist may also suggest lifestyle changes such as relaxation or exercise.
You may also be asked to keep a diary of what foods you eat or changes you make to your lifestyle and their results. This can then be taken to your next appointment so the practitioner can make any adjustments should they be required.
Included in your consultation are:-
- Action Plan
- Dietary changes/recommendations
- Supplement protocol
- Lifestyle changes
The number of sessions you'll require depends on your progress and any alterations needed to your treatment. Some people start to feel the benefits after one or two sessions and no longer feel the need for follow-up appointments but the changes you make to your diet and lifestyle are generally long-term and continued consultation with a practitioner can be beneficial.
