It’s no surprise that healthy eating can give you more energy, help with weight loss, and potentially ward off various diseases. But what you may not know is how a personalized approach to nutrition can affect your well-being.
Benefits of Nutritional Counseling
Your diet can contribute to a host of medical issues, from the commonly known– like celiac–to conditions you may have thought unrelated, like arthritis. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion notes, however, that many clinicians do not receive much in the way of nutritional education in medical school, and suggests that clinicians should start incorporating nutritional assessments into their patients’ care plans. And while your primary care physician may not have all the answers when it comes to how what you eat is affecting you, you can always ask for a referral to a nutritional counselor. This specialist will give you a thorough assessment and look at your health history–and health risks–to figure out what foods and meal plans would best support your well-being. And if you’re interested in becoming a nutritional counselor yourself, consider an accredited certification program. The New Eden School of Natural Health & Herbal Studies is one such institution with this program, offering a Nutrition and Wellness curriculum that will culminate in your becoming a certified counselor.
Mental Wellness
Feeling down? A nutritional specialist may be able to help with mental wellness as well, as studies have shown nutrition’s role in depression. According to Psychology Today, some of these studies have indeed proven that adjusting your diet can lessen those feelings of sadness, and help break cycles of unhealthy eating you may fall victim to when you’re feeling down.
Even if you’re certain you’re on top of your nutritional health, it doesn’t hurt to see a counselor and make sure you’re making the best dietary choices for your body. Food is more than just fuel (or flavor) and it’s never too early to start making the most beneficial changes possible in what you eat.
