Nutritional Counseling

Poor nutrition is one of the main factors that cause chronic diseases such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes. At My True Image in Phoenix and Glendale, Arizona, Robin F. MacDougall, DO, can help you make healthy dietary choices with personalized nutritional counseling. Call today or schedule an appointment online to learn how you can benefit from doctor-supervised nutritional counseling.

What is nutritional counseling?

Nutritional counseling is a doctor-supervised dietary plan. The team at My True Image performs a comprehensive nutritional assessment to identify areas in your diet that can benefit from improvement and guidance. Whether your goal is weight loss or chronic disease management, nutritional counseling takes the guesswork out of your diet. 

Why is nutritional counseling important?

Nutritional counseling can help you maintain a healthy weight, lower your cholesterol and blood pressure, and reduce high blood sugar levels. Balanced nutrition can also help minimize your risk of chronic diseases, such as:

• Diabetes
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Coronary artery disease (CAD)
• Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
• Osteoarthritis
• Chronic pain
• Stroke
• Fatty liver disease
• Gallbladder disease

Obesity can also increase your risk of certain types of cancer, including stomach and colon cancer. Nutritional counseling helps you manage a healthy weight to reduce your risk.

Who is a candidate for nutritional counseling?

Anybody interested in improving their diet can benefit from doctor-supervised nutritional counseling. The team may recommend a nutrition plan if you have an underlying disease, food intolerance, or vitamin deficiency. Weight management is the most common reason patients seek professional nutritional counseling.

How can I prepare for nutritional counseling?

Before your appointment, the team asks you to fill out a detailed questionnaire to learn more about your diet, lifestyle habits, and health and wellness goals with nutritional counseling. Questions you can expect may include:

• What do you typically eat at home?
• How many times a week do you exercise?
• Are you taking any prescription medications or supplements? 
• Why are you seeking nutritional counseling?
• Do you smoke cigarettes?
• How often do you consume alcohol?

To better help you prepare for your visit, the team may ask you to bring a food diary and a list of medications you’re currently taking.

What can I expect from nutritional counseling?

Your first nutritional counseling visit helps the team get to know you and your goals. After an initial telehealth appointment, the team recommends comprehensive testing. They review your medical history, perform a physical exam, and order lab work, such as blood tests and urinalysis.

The information the team gathers allows them to create a personalized nutritional counseling plan that helps you reach your health and wellness goals. The team schedules a series of follow-up visits to help you stay on track and ensure your progress.

Call My True Image today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about nutritional counseling.