How a nutritionist can help you monitor your diet

National Nutrition Week focuses on the importance of a balanced and nutrient-dense diet, thereby building a healthier society  

Nutrition Week is celebrated from September 1 to September 7 to spread knowledge about nutrition and its importance for the human body, after the Food and Nutrition Board launched it in 1982. For a healthy lifestyle, energetic body and better immune system, a nutritious diet plan is extremely important. The theme for National Nutrition Week 2020 is ‘Eat Right, Bite by Bite’. This time the theme focuses on the main sources of nutrition which should be chosen wisely and advises people to explore the nutritious food groups which are abundantly and locally available. Also, nutrition week propagates a holistic approach towards a healthier society. Awareness generation camps, workshops and educational programs inform people about nutritious foods and how a balanced diet reduces the risk of diseases.

Says well-known nutritionist Nmami Agarwal, “Healthy nutrition goes way beyond just fuelling your body. It provides you energy, keeps your organs healthy, helps you manage weight and strengthens your immunity. A healthy and balanced diet essentially eliminates or limits the consumption of processed, junk and saturated fat foods while the focus is more on food derived from natural sources like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Portion control is the key when it comes to following a balanced diet and healthy nutrition. The focus should be on having regular meals filled with all five food groups which are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals balancing your macronutrients and micronutrients.”

Here’s how a nutritionist can help monitor your diet:

Encourage healthy eating habits: Nutritionists use a scientific and food-based approach to evaluate an individual’s eating habits and to create a personalized dietary plan. They will guide their clients towards eating fresh, natural foods, eventually promoting healthy eating.

Achieve better health and maintain weight loss: Nutritionists help create individualized meal plans for weight loss, mood, and energy. Family meal planning is often part of a weight loss plan, as well. In addition to meal planning, a nutritionist may also suggest basic wellness supplementation to assist a client in achieving health and weight loss goals.

Implement behavioural-change modifications and dietary approaches: The underlying behaviours that affect healthy lifestyle choices also need to be addressed and modified. A nutritionist can help a client identify destructive eating habits and help implement a healthier dietary plan. In addition, a nutritionist can assess a client’s level and choice of activity and make appropriate modifications based on individual needs and goals.

Suggest ways to improve lifestyle and manage stress: Stress is the root cause of all the problems. Nutritionists take classes on wellness and holistic nutrition to help clients improve their lifestyles and manage daily stress.

To tackle various health problems and create awareness among students about the importance of nutrition and a balanced diet, UPES School of Health Sciences also commemorates National Nutrition Week. Presentations, webinars, activities and fun games are a part of the celebration.

According to the Dean of UPES School of Health Sciences, Dr. Neeraj Mahindroo, “UPES celebrates National Nutrition Month to emphasize the importance of a nutrient-dense diet to thrive both physically and mentally. Here, the role of a nutritionist becomes vital in selecting the right kind of food to meet an individual’s requirement and boosting immunity. There are a few sessions lined up that will create awareness about health, nutrition, the importance of workouts and ways to get essential nutrients from local produce.”