There are many myths around the world of dietetics, including the notion that dietitians predominantly work in hospitals or only assist people that are an unhealthy weight. This is simply not true as they provide nutritional help for a variety of people, including people with allergies, high cholesterol and gastrointestinal diseases. 

Dietitians are allied health professionals who apply the science of nutrition to understand the relationship between health and food.

There is a world of information out there on what to eat, what not to eat and all the latest food fad trends out there to go along with it. 

While you may be interested in jumping onto the latest juice cleanse or trying the keto diet, a dietitian can provide you with nutritional advice and a tailored meal plan that is designed specifically for you to help you reach your health goals. 

Here are 5 common misconceptions made about dietitians: 

I don’t need a dietitian unless I am unwell

The majority of people could benefit from seeing a dietitian to make sure they’re eating the correct foods for their body. Whilst dietitians see people who have unhealthy eating habits, a lot of clients already have a good diet but are looking to make some improvements that make them feel better. 

Making sure you have the right nutrients is important and it is often suggested to see a dietitian through different stages of your life. For example, if you are thinking of falling pregnant, playing a lot of sport or if you are going through menopause. 

You have to eat healthy all the time…

This is one of the biggest misconceptions around dietitians who are often nicknamed the food police or the sandwich doctors. Dietitians will often encourage you to enjoy your favourite foods, in moderation of course. 

There are foods you should consume sometimes and foods you should consume daily. Yes, a chocolate mud cake is delicious to consume, but it should be eaten in moderation, as opposed to fruit and vegetables. 

The job of a dietitian is to is also help clients make small changes such as changing from 2 sugars in their coffee to a natural sweetener. 

The advice and meal plans will be too hard to follow 

Despite the belief that you’ll be made to follow a strict diet of the blandest meals on the planet, dietitians actually want to make healthier options enjoyable for the client. 

Dietitians want to make sustainable changes for you that you can carry on after your appointments. Sometimes it can just be simple modifications such as swapping an unhealthy snack for a piece of fruit. These small changes can have a long-term impact on someone’s health. 

I can just Google it

Yes, you can find advice on the internet, however that advice is not tailored for you and your individual needs. Every single client has different dietary needs, weight-related goals and food preferences. 

Seeing an accredited dietitian gives you tailored advice that will benefit you greatly and help you reach your health goals. 

There is no difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist

In Australia to be an accredited dietitian, you need to complete an accredited University degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, including one to two years of a Masters degree. With plenty of knowledge, a dietitian can provide you advice that adheres to evidence based guidelines for nutrition. 

A nutritionist qualification can be completed online in just six weeks and there are no regulations that control who can call themselves a nutritionist. 

If you are looking to see a dietitian it is important that you look for an accredited dietitian. 

They will tell you to cut out food groups 

No dietitian will tell you to cut out any food groups unless of course, you are allergic or have intolerances.

The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommends that we all eat a variety of food from all five food groups every single day. The five good groups are whole grains, vegetables, fruit, dairy and meat/fish/alternatives. Having a full range of foods groups also means you can have plenty of interesting and delicious meals. 

If you are interested in seeing a dietitian to help you with your health goals, MyHealthCare has payment plans that make treatment more affordable. 

At MyHealthCare, we believe everyone should be able to get the allied health treatment they need, regardless of cost.

Many Australian’s delay or avoid seeing an allied health practitioner because of cost. At MyHealthCare we connect patients with the treatment they need by offering simple, interest-free Payment Plans that can be paid off over time with affordable instalments.