What To Expect From A Nutritional Consultation With A Naturopath
Naturopaths are physicians who aim to use natural medicine whenever possible. They prefer to use herbal remedies and lifestyle changes before resorting to medicine. Because the phrase "you are what you eat" rings true to a large degree, many naturopaths really specialize in nutrition and are happy to schedule nutrition consultations with their patients. Here's what you can expect if you decide to schedule one of these consultations.
A review of your current diet.
Before they can make recommendations as to what you should change about your diet, the naturopath will need to know what you are currently eating. This can give them an idea of what deficiencies you might have, what eating patterns you may most need to break, and so forth. Your naturopath may ask you to write down everything you eat for several days leading up to the appointment. When you do this, make sure you are thorough and honest. Yes, it might be a bit embarrassing to admit you ate three slices of pie or a bag of chips, but the naturopath needs to know these things to make an accurate assessment of your diet.
A discussion about your health and health history.
The naturopath may run some basic tests to assess your health, but generally, they focus on reviewing your health history orally. They'll ask you to explain any diagnoses or difficulties you've had in the past, and also what you're experiencing right now. Collecting this information will allow the naturopath to better determine which changes are most important to make in your diet. For example, if you complain of headaches, they may make it a priority to remove sugar from your diet. If you complain of itchiness, they may work with you to remove common allergens.
A path forward.
You may not receive a complete diet revision from your naturopath during your very first visit. They may want you to start with a few smaller changes and then check back with them later for more advice. However, you should get an idea of the path forward. They might tell you that you're going to focus on an elimination diet for the next month or that your goal will be to incorporate more produce and natural foods. Having a plan can give you the reassurance that you can enjoy better health and a better diet.
Meeting with a naturopath is a great way to pursue a better diet. Hopefully, you now have a better idea of what to expect as you seek this care.
For more information about undergoing a naturopathic nutrition consultation, contact a local business.