The body needs proper nutrition to stay healthy. Well, in this case the role of a nutritionist is needed. Not only providing advice and information, these specialists are also involved in the process of diagnosis and treatment actions related to nutrition and nutrition problems.
A nutritionist is a special profession, namely someone who devotes himself to the field of nutrition and has the knowledge and skills acquired through a special education. Although often equated with a nutritionist, the two are not the same, even though in their work they often work together.
If a nutritionist gives advice on eating patterns according to medical conditions as well as providing drugs or supplements for their complaints, nutritionists are more likely to help someone to determine eating patterns.
Not only studying how nutrients are digested, absorbed, used, stored, and excreted by the body, a nutritionist also studies the relationship between food and nutrients with health and various nutrition-related diseases, both acute and chronic.
In addition, nutrition science also studies its relationship with metabolic processes, in the aspect of preventive health or disease prevention, and the recovery process from various diseases (rehabilitative).
Duties and Roles of a Nutritionist
One of the main roles of a nutritionist is to provide counseling, counseling, and nutrition care for the community. In addition, nutritionists can also determine the right type and amount of intake for people with uncomplicated disease.
In carrying out nutrition services, a nutritionist can practice independently or work in health care facilities, such as health centers, clinics, and hospitals.
Not only that, a nutritionist can also be a nutrition consultant in an organization, community, and research. In carrying out nutrition services in health care facilities, nutritionists have the following roles:
- Provide nutritional consulting services and diet procedures
- Determine nutritional status, factors that influence nutritional disorders, and nutritional status
- Establishing a diagnosis of diseases related to nutritional problems based on the results of a physical examination and a medical history tracing carried out
- Determine goals and plan nutritional interventions by calculating nutritional needs, food form, amount, and diet according to the patient's condition
- Designing and changing diet plans and implementing them from menu planning to food serving suggestions
- Manage food supply (food service)
- Conduct research and development of nutrition according to the development of science and technology to organize nutrition service administration
Special Health Conditions Requiring a Dietitian
Not only planning the best eating patterns and menus to maintain a healthy body or weight loss program, consultation with a nutritionist also needs to be done for the following health conditions:
- Diabetes
- Malnutrition, either due to poor nutrition or obesity
- Infectious disease without complications
- Anemia
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
To plan a diet that fits the patient's needs, the nutritionist will examine the patient's general health condition and nutritional status, then trace the medical history, diet and exercise patterns, as well as information about the drugs being consumed.
A nutritionist sometimes also works with a nutritionist (SpGK) in determining the right diet for patients with certain conditions.
So, don't hesitate to consult a nutritionist to find out which diet is good for you, especially if you have special health conditions.
A nutritionist will provide information regarding the health conditions you are experiencing, how to eat well to control your disease, as well as the types of exercise and supplements that you can take.