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Unsure if Nutrition Counseling is what you need? Set up a 15-minute Discovery call and Heather will be happy to answer any questions you

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Feel free to send an email with your thoughts and questions.

Send a Message

Feel free to send an email with your thoughts and questions.

Email

[email protected]

Phone

904-250-0910

Hour

9-5pm M-F

Address

353 6th Ave S, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 

(Find us inside Shine Massage and Spa)

FAQ

Nutrition
Counselling

Philosophy
& Practices

Pricing
& Policies

Other
Questions

What’s the difference between a Registered Dietitian and a Nutritionist?

Great question, glad you asked. A Registered Dietitian has a 4- year degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, completed 1200-supervised practice hours, has passed a national board exam, and must complete continuing education every year. The Registered Dietitian credential is a regulated credential.

A Nutritionist is a common, popular term, that has no regulation to what training, if any, it entails. Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist. You can call yourself a nutritionist and you would not be breaking any laws. Obviously it is in someone’s best interest to know if a health care practitioner has the training and experience required to address their unique clinical health issues.

I know what I need to do, I just don’t do it. Why should I hire a Registered Dietitian?

For that exact same reason. Science has shown that knowing what to do is not enough to enact change. While Registered Dietitians are able to provide nutrition expertise that other health care providers are not trained to do, a large majority of the work Registered Dietitians do with clients is related to goal setting, accountability, and setting up strategies to navigate a world where the odds of making sustainable lifestyle changes are stacked against them.

Who is your typical client?
While clients range from early 20’s to 80’s with health issues that span most chronic diseases, the most common client demographic would be a female, 50-70 years old with, kids who are older or out of the house. Their predominant health concerns are: GI issues, thyroid disorders, diabetes, or weight management. They have decided it’s time to focus on improving their health so they can expand their healthspan as long as possible*.

*While lifespan is defined as the duration of time someone is alive, healthspan can be defined as the period of one’s life that one is healthy, free from disease, living with quality of life.

May I contact you between sessions?
Yes. I use the Electronic Health Record program called Practice Better. It includes a HIPAA-compliant chat/text feature where clients can message me anytime between sessions. It is highly encouraged to keep in communication between visits!
Do you work with clients that need to address eating disorders?

No. Please reach out to Marilyn at Preferred Nutrition or call them at 904-270-1234

Will I have to give up the foods I love?

For most people a healthy lifestyle is not about restrictions, it’s about creating new habits. In some situations, there may be reasons to avoid or minimize certain foods for a certain amount of time. Think about breaking a leg and needing a cast. Eventually, the bone will heal, the cast will come off, you’ll rehab the bone/muscles, and you will get back to normal. Sometimes the gut needs to be “in a cast”, allowing it to rest and rehabilitate. Time will tell what foods your body will be able to accept.

The only thing worse (and ineffective) than being told what to do – is being told what not to do. There are endless opportunities to explore health-promoting foods; Heather will work with your preferences, schedule, and individual health concerns to discover a nutrition intervention that makes the most sense for you.

Do I have to log my food?
In most situations, tracking food/beverage is not necessary. However, there are certain cases where it can be beneficial. This can include when anticipated results are not experienced in expected timeframe, when trying to identify a food trigger, or to identify details of what foods are missing from the diet (vs. what foods are being consumed). If you do need to log your food, you can use any program you choose. I can provide access to tracking through the Practice Better portal or Cronometer.
I just need a meal plan. Can you put one together?
While helping clients with meal planning is part of Nutrition Counseling, that is not something I do independent of Counseling. I work with clients who require a lifestyle change and the accountability partner to make it happen.
I hate to cook, don’t have time to cook, don’t know how to cook- is this going to be a problem?
Maybe. Everyone has their own definition of cooking. There are some microwavable dishes that are more nutritious than anything found in a restaurant. There are also a lot of frozen foods that can be easily heated up as part of a quick meal. As a culinary coach, I can help guide clients with preparing more meals at home with minimal effort. The average American is eating 50% of their meals outside the home. If there are 21 meals in a week, eating 10 of them in restaurants is not going to move someone closer to their health goals. Preparing more meals at home will be key to reaching your health goals.
Do you require clients to weigh themselves?

If weight loss is a goal, the client chooses how they want to indicate progress toward their weight loss goals. I typically recommend weighing no more than once a week and ideally, once a month. Weight loss is actually a very slow process. Too slow to notice meaningful changes from day to day or week to week. Therefore noting trends on a monthly basis tends to be the most effective way to evaluate progress.
There are no issues with evaluating weight loss progress from other indicators such as how clothes fit.

Do you take insurance?
No, but I am able to take FSA/HSA as payment. I’m also able to provide a superbill, which requires payment upfront. You can file the super bill with your insurance. If they cover RD visits, you may be reimbursed for some or all of your visit fee.
How much does counseling cost?

Please see the Services page, here.

I don’t really need a long term program. Do you offer one time sessions or a la carte sessions?
While I do work with former clients (those who have already completed a Nutrition Counseling package) as needed, I don’t offer a la carte sessions for new clients. My goal is to be an accountability partner for sustainable lifestyle change. Most clients have been struggling with issues for years, if not decades. A 3-6 month program will move the needle in a meaningful way, but lifelong habits are not resolved in 1-2 sessions.
How are payments handled?
A credit card payment for the Nutrition Assessment is due at the time of scheduling to reserve your spot. You may cancel any time prior to your appointment. Once you decide on the package that best suits your needs, the monthly payments will begin on the 1st or 15th of the month, whichever is closer to the date of the Nutrition Assessment.
Do sessions expire?
No. If you have gone beyond your chosen package time frame and still have sessions remaining, they are still valid.
What if I complete my sessions before my chosen package time frame?
If you have attended all of your sessions within your chosen package time frame, there are no issues. If you still have scheduled monthly payments left, they will be applied as designed to your credit card on file until the balance is paid.
Do you offer programs for couples or families?
Yes, every situation is different so please set up a discovery call to discuss.
Can my husband/relative/friend attend sessions?
Yes, anyone can attend sessions with you.
How would you describe the client that is likely to work well with you?
I work well with people who are able to be honest, transparent, open, and communicative.
Does nutrition counseling require me to be tech savvy?
You will need to check emails and the Practice Better portal every week. Practice Better has an app, and while not mandatory, it will make communication between visits much easier. I will walk you through how to use the portal and app, as it will be key to the nutrition counseling experience.
Will you work with, or speak to, my doctor or other provider about my care?
Yes, I am more than happy to join your health care provider team to make sure everyone is on the same page and increase the chances of clients reaching their health goals. You will have to fill out a release form that states permission to speak to your other healthcare providers.
What are the characteristics of clients who are successful?

While every client has unique goals, there are some common characteristics of those that see the most success.

  • Clearly defined (S.M.A.R.T) goals: What exactly do you want to achieve and by when?
  • The” why” that makes you cry: Clearly defined, emotionally meaningful reasons why it’s important to reach your goals. Wanting to lose X#, fitting into certain clothes, or looking a certain way, has never proven to be motivating enough for sustainable behavior changes.
  • Patience: It will take some time to undo years (decades?) of habits.
  • Realistic Expectations: See Patience.
  • Keep things simple: One goal at a time. The more simple, the better. Build a strong foundation.
  • Short memory: There is a reason why the windshield is larger than the rear view mirror. Just keep swimming.

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