FAQ Fertility, Prenatal, Postpartum Dietitian
Don’t be fooled by the name. “Nutritionist” is not a professional title. Only a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) meets rigorous academic requirements with clinical training, holding a degree from an accredited university. Our RDNs stay informed of guidelines set by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to provide our patients with expert nutrition counseling for their fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum health.
Why is nutrition important during pregnancy?
Optimal nutrition during pregnancy (even preconception) is the most influencing, non-genetic, factor of maternal health and your baby’s development (including a child’s growth, cognitive development, and long-term risk of developing chronic diseases).
Why should I see a prenatal dietitian nutritionist?
If you’re thinking about getting pregnant, are pregnant, or experiencing postpartum healing, a registered dietitian nutritionist can assess you (and your baby’s) nutrient needs (they change depending on the stage of pregnancy). A prenatal nutritionist will provide you with the tools you need to support healthy weight gain (for both mother and baby), deal with pregnancy side effects like nausea, constipation, and reflux, help you prepare for breastfeeding and postpartum healing, and more.
Do you offer online nutrition counseling?
Even before the pandemic, we met with clients virtually. We use a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform to ensure the utmost confidentiality. By attending to patients virtually, we can work around your unique schedule and needs and time-zone.
Is there a difference between a nutritionist and registered dietitian nutritionist?
Yes! “Nutritionist” is not a professional title. Only a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) meets rigorous academic requirements with clinical training. An RDN must hold a degree from an accredited university. Moreover, our team of RDNs stay informed of guidelines set by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to provide our patients with expert nutrition counseling for their fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum health.
What vitamins and nutrients do I need for a healthy pregnancy?
Oils, fats, protein, dairy, Omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid, vegetables and fruits, vitamins B, C and D and more are all parts of a healthy diet, moreso during pregnancy. Each trimester has different nutrient requirements. Your Dietitian Nutritionist will evaluate your current diet and eating behaviors to determine the best foods for you and your baby. Each diet plan is individualized, depending on your unique needs.
Can you create individualized diet plans to suit each patient’s needs?
Absolutely. We wouldn’t do it any other way. Every body is unique. We work with women of all walks of life, honoring their food traditions and individual nutrition needs. Every pregnancy is unique, and developing an individualized diet plan to include necessary nutrients, supplement protocol, and more is what we do best!
Am I eating for two?
No, though you do need extra calories – depending on the time of pregnancy and during breastfeeding. We’ll address your unique calorie and nutrient needs during our sessions.
How much weight should I gain during pregnancy?
It’s important to maintain a healthy weight, not only during pregnancy but also in life. There is no one-number-for-all. It depends on your weight and health level pre-pregnancy. Now is not the time to diet, instead the time to develop a healthy diet plan and establish healthy eating behaviors to take you through your pregnancy and postpartum.
