FAQ's

1. I am not sick at all! Why should I see a dietetian?
2. My daughter is a vegetarian and I am concerned that her diet may not be adequate.
   What can I do?
3. I am an athlete and am involved in competitions at weekends, and training during the week. Can my diet affect my performance?
4. My grandmother and my mother both have brittle bones and are on medication.
   Is there anything I can do to prevent the same happening to me?
5. I have diabetes, but am not on any medication at the moment.
   Is it really necessary to be so strict with my diet?
6. Is there anything wrong with following a fad diet to lose weight?
7. My doctor has told me that I have risks for heart problems.
   Can changes to the foods I eat help to reduce these risks?
8. Does my doctor need to refer me to see a dietitian?
9. How can The Mid West Dietetic Clinic provide help for businesses?
10. I work in catering and would like advice on making our menus healthier.
    Can a dietitian help?

1. I am not sick at all! Why should I see a dietetian?

Through our lives, our nutritional needs change, and so do our health concerns. For example, the nutritional requirements of a small child, growing and developing rapidly, are very different to that of her father, who may be sitting at a computer at work all day or her grandmother, who may suffer from joint and bone pain. You need not have an illness to benefit form the expert advice of a dietitian at the Mid West Dietetic Clinic.

• In Childhood
• In Adolescence
• In Pregnancy
• For Women
• For Men
• For The Aging

Each life stage will present different dietary challenges and varying health issues that may cause concern at that time. The Mid West Dietetic Clinic can ensure you are educated regarding the right dietary choices, what ever stage in life you are at.

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2. My daughter is a vegetarian and I am concerned that her diet may not be adequate.
    What can I do?

Some experts say a vegetarian diet is fine for children. Others worry that limiting their choice of foods may prevent children, who tend to be picky eaters to begin with; from getting the nutrients and calories they need in order to grow. A vegetarian diet can be perfectly healthy; it just takes a little more planning and care.

The key is providing your child with nutritious options and lots of variety. In some ways, in fact, vegetarian meals can be healthier than meat-centered ones, since they're likely to contain more fibre and antioxidants. A healthy vegetarian diet must contain a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains -- and plenty of them.

A few vitamins and minerals require special attention. Protein, calcium, iron and vitamin B12 are sometimes present in smaller quantities in vegetarian diets, and it is vital to ensure that any vegetarian eats foods that provide these nutrients daily. Your dietitian will be able to advise on this.

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3. I am an athlete and am involved in competitions at weekends, and training during
    the week. Can my diet affect my performance?

Good nutrition is essential to perform at your best. It can help delay fatigue, improve skill and concentration, and prevent injury and illness. A good diet will not turn an average athlete into a superstar, but a poor diet will prevent you from achieving your potential.

A dietitian will be able to advise you on a healthy diet for whichever sport you are involved in, and also advise on nutrient and fluid requirements for training, and both pre- and post- competitions.

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4. My grandmother and my mother both have brittle bones and are on medication.
    Is there anything I can do to prevent the same happening to me?

Building strong bones is a lot like building a healthy balance in your “calcium bank account.” Bones are living tissue and constantly in a state of turnover, making calcium deposits and withdrawals daily. Vitamin D is also essential for strong bones.

Your body needs it for optimum bone strength and to help absorb calcium. However, most people are not getting enough of either of these nutrients. Bones don’t come with a lifetime guarantee. They need continuing maintenance or they can weaken and break. If your diet is low in calcium, your body will take calcium from your bones to keep blood calcium at normal levels.

For a lifetime of healthy bones you need to have a diet that provides calcium and vitamin D. Depending on your stage in life your requirements vary. Ask your dietitian about calcium and Vitamin D rich foods.

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5. I have diabetes, but am not on any medication at the moment.
    Is it really necessary to be so strict with my diet?

Yes! The foods you choose and the timing of your meals can make a big difference in how well you manage your condition, so it's a good idea to work out a plan with your doctor and a dietitian, and stick with it!

The main goal will be to avoid fluctuations in the level of sugar, or glucose, in your blood. You'll also need to keep your weight under control and hold down your levels of cholesterol and blood fats called triglycerides.

Sticking to a good diet can help you do all of these things. If you have type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes) proper dietary control may mean that you do not need medication. Type 2 diabetes is common among people who are overweight, and eat a poor diet and take little exercise.

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6. Is there anything wrong with following a fad diet to lose weight?

A fad diet is a weight loss plan that promises dramatic results. These diets don't offer long-term success, and they are usually not very healthy. Some of them can actually be dangerous to your health.

People are often willing to try anything that promises to help them lose weight because they want to look or feel better, or because they are worried about getting weight-related diseases. Companies that promote fad diets take advantage of this fact. They appeal to people by promising weight loss that's very quick and easy.

Many people prefer to try the quick fix of a fad diet instead of making the effort to lose weight through long-term changes in their eating and exercise habits. If you want to lose weight, talk to your dietitian. He or she can help you develop a weight loss plan that is safe and effective.

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7. My doctor has told me that I have risks for heart problems.
   Can changes to the foods I eat help to reduce these risks?

Both men and women can be at risk from heart disease (also known as coronary heart disease or coronary artery disease). It can be hereditary (run in your family). It might also develop as you get older and plaque builds up in your arteries over the years. You may get heart disease if you are overweight or if you have high blood pressure or diabetes.

High cholesterol may also lead to heart disease and can also stem from making unhealthy choices such as smoking, eating a high-fat diet and not exercising enough. High cholesterol levels in your blood, blood pressure and diabetes can all be affected by the foods we eat. Following a heart healthy lifestyle will certainly help to lower your risks for heart problems, and a dietitian is best equipped to advise you on this.

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8. Does my doctor need to refer me to see a dietitian?

It is no longer necessary for you to have a referral to see a dietitian. If you feel you would benefit from the expert advice of a dietitian, you can phone to make an appointment yourself. However your doctor or consultant may also refer you if they feel it is necessary.

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9. How can The Mid West Dietetic Clinic provide help for businesses?

The strong correlation between good health and performance highlights the need for organisations to better manage the health of their staff. Corporate Wellness Programmes provide a systematic approach to managing health by incorporating education and guidance on health and nutrition related issues. The programmes are flexible and adaptable to the needs of your organization and can be one-to-one and/or group programmes.

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10. I work in catering and would like advice on making our menus healthier.
     Can a dietitian help?

The Mid West Dietetic Clinic can provide education and guidance on creating a menu cycle that will benefit employees, caterers and managers! Employees will have tasty but ‘good for you’ foods available at work, and will be healthier and happier as a result.

Less ill health means less absenteeism, which means management, are not only well fed, but have a more productive work force. Caterers will learn new skills, be more engaged in their work and will also have happy customers! Dietitians can provide bespoke programmes to help any organization to provide healthier food in the work place.

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