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4 minutes read

How to Find a Gut Health Nutritionist Near Me

There are many reasons why someone may need the help of a gut health nutritionist. Digestive issues can negatively impact a person's day-to-day life and affect physical and mental health. If you have to plan your day around gut issues like constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome, you may benefit from the help of a gut health nutritionist.
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Gut health nutritionists can also help people prevent leaky gut, improve their immune system through nutrition, or develop a better relationship with food while healing their gut. 

You'll find plenty of information online about foods that can make you feel bloated or unwell. But if you want one-on-one support as you work on healing your gut, you could benefit from the help of a gut health nutritionist. A digestive health expert can help you improve your stomach-related health issues in several ways. They can create a custom meal plan and guide you in resolving the dietary causes of your digestive problems. Keep reading if you'd like to learn more about how to find a gut health nutritionist.

Am I a good candidate to work with a gut health nutritionist?

Anyone who struggles with digestive issues, stomach concerns, or wants to feel empowered in their wellness journey can benefit from the help of a digestive health nutritionist. Here are a few examples of when a gut health nutritionist could be necessary to help you achieve your wellness goals. 

You don't know what's causing your digestive problems

There are so many causes of digestive problems, and it can be tough to pinpoint them on your own. If you're unsure of the causes of your digestive issues, you'll probably struggle to devise a treatment plan to improve your digestion. A registered dietitian (RD) has expert knowledge in recommending foods to help people reach their health goals. An RD with expertise in gut health nutritionist has specific knowledge and training in digestion and how to solve digestion issues. A gut health nutritionist will consider your lifestyle factors, food sensitivities, and overall health as they work to identify the causes of your digestion concerns. Once they discover the possible cause or causes of your digestion concerns, they can make recommendations on which foods are best for your body.

You aren't sure which foods are best for you

Knowing which foods are best for your body can be tricky without an expert nutritionist. If you have Crohn's disease or irritable bowel syndrome, a quick online search may give you a list of specific foods to avoid. However, these generic suggestions are based on the overall effects of these foods on many people. An internet search may help you, but the results won't be specific to your unique health history.

An expert gut or digestion nutritionist can give you relevant information based on your body, lifestyle, health goals, and needs. A nutritionist will listen to you and incorporate your food preferences into an individualized meal plan.

You want to feel better and resolve your digestive issues

Another reason to work with a nutritionist is to feel better by alleviating the digestive issues you're experiencing. 

Even if you have a vague inkling that there's something wrong, this is a valid reason to work with a gut health nutritionist. A gut health nutritionist can offer nutrition counseling to improve health problems you experience because of digestion, enhancing your quality of life. Nutritionists and dietitians typically help their clients improve their eating habits, but a digestion nutritionist goes beyond that. A digestion nutritionist can help you find the root cause of gut health problems, improve your digestion, and achieve a healthier lifestyle and relationship with food.

Need some more time to think? Read more here.

How do I find a gut health nutritionist near me?

If you could benefit from the help of a registered dietitian specializing in digestion, you'll need to know where to find a "nutritionist near me." Here are some excellent starting points for your search.

A doctor's recommendation

You can ask your doctor if they know of any gut health specialists. Your doctor will have a good understanding of your unique needs, so they may be able to recommend someone in the area who can help you. Your doctor may have a list of nutritionists they've worked with before. This won't give you an entirely personalized recommendation, but your healthcare provider may be able to narrow down the list and select a few promising candidates. Your doctor might refer you to a clinic or private practice that has a nutritionist on staff, or they might suggest an online nutrition counseling service.

Friends and family

You could speak with friends or family members who have worked with nutritionists. Again, this recommendation will be based on someone else's experience, but it's an excellent place to start when you search for a nutritionist. While this is one way to get the names of local nutritionists, you will be limiting yourself to practitioners in your area. You might consider virtual consultations to expand the pool of possible nutritionists when deciding who to work with.

Virtual consultations

If you decide on virtual one-on-one nutrition counseling, you'll have the opportunity to choose from a wide selection of nutritionists. You'll have the chance to select a nutritionist based on their credentials, experience, and specialties, not their location. As long as you have a reliable internet connection, you'll be able to meet with your nutritionist from your home without commuting to an office or clinic. Make sure to choose an online nutritionist or telehealth platform to help you get to the root of your digestion issues, rather than just providing generic diet advice.

A local university 

A college or university that offers nutrition degrees could be a good place to contact when looking for a nutritionist. Educational institutions may have nutrition professors who work in private practice outside of teaching classes. They may also have a network of nutritionists in the area that they can recommend based on your needs. This might be tough for them to do without a health evaluation, but they may be able to point you in the right general direction. 

A local sports club or gym

Many sports clubs and gyms require memberships, so you may be unable to wander into one to inquire about local nutritionists. But if you are a member, you could explore the facility to locate a community bulletin board. Some gyms and sports clubs have bulletin boards for health and fitness professionals to pin up business cards and flyers. You could also speak with a staff member and see whether they have any tips.

How to choose the right gut health nutritionist for you

There are a few considerations to consider while searching for the right nutritionist. First, try to find someone who is kind, understanding, and compassionate. You want a nutritionist who will do all they can to relieve your symptoms by helping you build a better relationship with nutrition. A nutritionist's ultimate goal should be to help people by recommending helpful lifestyle changes without imposing a strict diet.

Try to find a registered dietitian nutritionist who is a good listener. Your nutritionist should not impose a rigid plan but should prioritize your needs and preferences to develop attainable goals.

Look for a registered dietitian nutritionist who is knowledgeable about gut health and understands your symptoms. You want to feel confident in the expertise of your nutritionist because what they share with you can directly impact your health.

These are just a few examples of what to consider while searching for the right nutritionist. If you want to know more about what to look for in a gut health nutritionist, read more here.

Benefits of working with an online gut health nutritionist

Here are some benefits you could see if you decide to work with an online registered dietitian nutritionist.

Life-changing insight about your digestion

When you struggle with digestive issues, those problems can negatively impact other aspects of your life. Working with a registered dietitian or nutritionist can help improve your life by giving you insight into the causes of your stomach concerns. Knowledge is power, and once you understand the cause or causes of your digestive troubles, you'll be better equipped to treat them. A nutritionist can give you insight into how to treat things like abdominal pain, chronic constipation, hormonal imbalances, and more.

Valuable knowledge from a qualified nutritionist 

The information that a nutritionist shares with you is valuable knowledge that can help you identify the root causes of the health concerns you're experiencing. A nutritionist will have information on improving your diet, digestion, heart health, energy levels, and more. When you choose to work with a telehealth provider like Top Nutrition Coaching that has a large selection of knowledgeable nutritionists, the quality, professionalism, and experience of each nutritionist will be thoroughly vetted, so you don't have to spend time checking references and qualifications. You can rest easy knowing the nutrition specialist will connect you with the right professional to help you in your wellness journey.

Improved quality of life

One of the main benefits of working with a nutritionist is experiencing an overall improvement in quality of life. A certified dietitian nutritionist will give you information that will improve your gut health, which will, in turn, improve your quality of life. You won't have to spend time planning around your stomach concerns, like painful bloating or diarrhea. Working with a nutritionist can lessen the stress of how those stomach concerns affect your day-to-day life. While you may experience benefits like weight loss or a lowered risk of obesity, one of the main advantages is that a nutritionist will help you understand how to utilize proper nutrition to support overall wellness.

Gut Health Nutrition Plan Checklist

When deciding on the right nutrition expert to guide you, there's a lot to think about. To summarize, here is a list of items you should look for in a gut health nutritionist.

A compassionate expert

First and foremost, you should locate a compassionate nutrition professional who truly cares about finding the best ways to alleviate your symptoms. Choose someone who became a qualified nutritionist because they enjoy helping people feel better and develop a better relationship with food.

A good listener

Try to find someone who is also a good listener. Your gut health dietitian should be an expert in nutrition science, but they should still take time to consider your thoughts, likes, dislikes, and concerns as they develop a plan for you. Improving your gut health may require a significant amount of collaborative effort from both of you, so your nutritionist should always be a good listener and consider your thoughts.

Very knowledgeable about digestive health

In addition to choosing a fully qualified registered dietitian with experience in nutrition counseling, you'll want to select a nutritionist specializing in gut health and digestion. Most nutritionists have at least one specialty, so ensure that yours has a thorough understanding of the digestive system and has worked with many gut health clients in the past.

Confident in their knowledge

Not only should your nutritionist know how to relieve your digestive issues, but they should also be confident that the information they're imparting is medically sound, relevant, and safe for your health. If a nutritionist is unsure of the validity of the information they share, how can they expect clients to have confidence in their approach or advice?

Open to your feedback 

You should feel comfortable sharing feedback with your nutritionist. Feedback is an excellent way for professionals to expand their knowledge and understanding of a topic. Your nutritionist should view feedback as a constructive tool to fine-tune their knowledge of helping clients reach their wellness goals.

Gives you personalized information

Your nutrition plan should not be the same generic program that your nutritionist gives to all of their clients. Instead, their approach to your diet and wellbeing should have information specific to you and your health needs. 

Excellent organizational skills

Your nutritionist should be organized. They should keep detailed records of your health profile, progress, and counseling session notes. Nutritionists typically work with several clients at a time, so they need good organizational skills to keep everyone's nutrition plan straight, especially if you have food allergies or food intolerances. 

Treats you with respect 

Your nutritionist should treat you and your boundaries with respect. If your nutritionist makes jokes that you don't enjoy or speaks to you in a way that doesn't feel right, you can always switch to a new nutritionist. It's okay for people to have different personalities, but if you don't feel comfortable with your dietitian, you should speak up.

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About the author

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Nicolette Star Maggiolo, RD, LDN
I'm a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist with education from Boston University and clinical training from both Brigham & Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. I specialize in helping the military and non-military individuals embrace nutrition as a partner in both their mental and physical health.

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