Working with a Registered Dietitian while on a GLP-1
If you are currently on or considering going on a GLP-1 in the future, it’s important to be aware of how to properly prepare and fuel your body when you are losing weight at such a fast pace. Given that GLP-1’s typically result in lower appetites, if you are consuming less food, it should remain a goal to ensure you are still receiving adequate nutrition for both macronutrients and micronutrients. Registered dietitians can help you better understand your body and your personalized nutrient needs!
While on a GLP-1, the body experiences different nutrient needs compared to when there is no administration of a medication. For example, protein needs are higher to protect muscle and lean body mass, resulting in fat loss as an alternative. It is also important to consume fiber-rich foods such as whole grains to further help stabilize blood sugar levels and minimize side effects like constipation. Other side effects like vomiting and diarrhea can result in a rapid loss of fluid and electrolytes requiring you to increase water intake and consume electrolytes. Many individuals are unaware of the necessity of certain nutrients and increased needs. Therefore, registered dietitians not only can help you find healthy foods that you enjoy, but they can also provide education on how to ensure you are meeting all of the important nutrients.
One thing that is important to note is the difference between a registered dietitian and a nutritionist. To become a registered dietitian, you must receive a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in nutrition; as of January 1, 2024, this requirement is changing to a master’s degree to qualify. You must also complete a minimum of 1200 hours of supervised practice and internships to gain experience in the field. After completion of the required schooling and supervised practice, you must pass a nationwide exam. Once these steps have been completed, you are a licensed registered dietitian that has the ability to work in hospitals, open up a private practice, or even work in food service. The word “nutritionist”, however, is an unprotected term that does not require a license and commonly involves a broader scope of interest in promoting overall health and wellness.
A typical coaching session with a registered dietitian begins with a brief introduction between patient and the coach; the main goal of the registered dietitian is to learn more about the client to personalize their coaching skills to better assist the patient in reaching their goal. By understanding the patient's motivations and assessing their current intakes and patterns, the RD and the patient can work together to create short and long-term goals to work towards. Specifically with Ready Steps RD’s, they set the patient up with accountability text messages which greatly accelerates the success of the program. They also begin by ordering metabolic reset meals from Ready Steps and explaining the overall meal plan as well as healthy recipe and snack options!
Ready Steps RD, Katelyn Fougere, puts it, “When seeking weight loss, treatment to a specific metabolic condition via diet or even simply grasping a better understanding of a healthy and sustainable lifestyle, consulting a Registered Dietitian would be a wise decision. Registered Dietitians are considered nutritionists, but not vice versa. After receiving a 4 year undergraduate degree, attending a post graduate clinically supervised dietetic internship with over 100 experienced mentors, I was able to sit down and pass my exam to receive the legal credentials of Registered Dietitian (ie RDN). By consulting with a Dietitian, you will be able to cross various nutrition topics. That being said, some have specific specialties that they have an even greater educational investment in. For instance, if you are on a GLP-1, speaking with a Dietitian who educates themselves in weight loss is your best bet. From my experience thus far with weight loss, reading various research articles and mainly staying up to date on the latest nutritional updates, I have concluded that it is best to consult a Dietitian if on a GLP-1. Yes, GLP-1's will cause significant weight loss; however, people who are simultaneously consuming an unhealthy diet will cause fat retention despite losing lean body mass. To reverse this situation, a Registered Dietitian can assist you with a healthy, high protein diet which will assist in maintaining lean body mass while losing fat mass in a healthy manner”.
Registered dietitians are trained and qualified to help educate their patients on how to fuel their body with the nutrients it needs and assess any nutrients you may be at risk of being deficient of. Here at Ready Steps, we work to understand our patient’s needs and help to create healthy lifestyle changes to reach your goals and achieve results. Schedule a free consultation with our registered dietitians today to learn more!