There are a lot of things you can’t control in this world: your genetics, whether or not skinny jeans are in style, or the rate at which your ill-advised bangs grow out. But, there is one thing that affects your health more than any other factor and, incredibly, you have total control over it — the food that goes into your body.
That being said, if you’re anything like me, you know you should eat more healthfully, and you want to, but it’s easier said than done. With the astronomical amount of nutrition advice out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. From fad diets hocked by the latest influencer-of-the-week to conflicting expert opinions, it’s challenging to say what would work for you. And what works for you may not work for me.
As someone who’s struggled with slowly creeping extra weight and has a family history of health issues, I know firsthand how frustrating it is to look for a simple answer.1
The simple answer is that there’s no simple answer for the masses — health is a pursuit that’s unique to the individual. Fortunately, that’s exactly what’s so great about Fay Nutrition. Fay Nutrition is the largest network of board-certified, Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in the country, providing personalized nutrition care to help individuals reach their health goals. They recognize and honor everyone’s differences by treating each person’s nutrition goals individually, and that makes all the difference.
Why See a Nutritionist?
If you have a health concern, why seek the help of a registered dietitian nutritionist? Why not your doctor? Well, what a lot of people don’t realize is that physicians receive minimal nutrition training. We’re talking an average of 19 hours for their whole degree program!2 So yes, they know that high cholesterol is bad for your heart and could lead to medical issues X, Y, and Z. But beyond telling you to cut out bacon, they aren’t the best people to guide your healing, nutritionally speaking.
Unlike medical doctors, dietitians and nutritionists are experts in the implementation of nutrition as a way to promote health and manage disease.
So whether you’re looking to get to a certain weight range and take control of your health, like me, or you have your own concerns (PCOS, diabetes, heart disease, food allergies, disordered eating, etc.), chances are you could benefit from nutrition counseling.
What’s Holding You Back?
So with all these benefits of seeing a nutritionist, why isn’t it more common for everyone to have their own dietitian?
Here are some of the things that have stopped me:
- Cost: How much would it cost and is it covered by insurance?
- Time: How far away am I from a registered dietitian nutritionist? How will I make appointments work for my schedule?
- Expertise: Are there any nutritionists near me that specialize in my particular health and nutrition concerns? (For me, this was about finding a nutritionist who could support my mostly plant-based diet, but for you it could be about finding a nutritionist for weight loss or a nutritionist for PCOS).
- Overwhelm: How do I even get started?
Luckily, those concerns are a thing of the past for me. Fay Nutrition checks all of these boxes and more. They make it seriously easy — sign-up is a breeze, it takes literal minutes. Plus, it’s incredibly cost-effective. With insurance, sessions are free for most people (95% of people with insurance will pay as little as $0). Fay’s dietitians are vetted and available for either in-person or virtual sessions — and there’s no better flex than having a virtual nutritionist on call for you.
My Health Background
A little background on me: I’m a mostly vegan vegetarian. What does that mean? I’m mostly plant-based, but will occasionally eat dairy (like cheese on pizza or eggs in baked goods).
Both of my parents passed away at the age of 61 from preventable diseases. My mother was taken devastatingly quickly by lung cancer earlier this year, and my father a few years back by diabetes complications. They both had very poor personal health as well as family histories of health problems, including stroke (my mother had one at 50), heart attacks (most of my aunts and uncles have had open heart surgery), and cancer (multiple kinds). And my dad was on blood pressure meds from the age of 23.
Their deaths were a wake-up call for me. I do consider myself healthier than them — I’ve never smoked, rarely drink, and I’m not as overweight as they were. I don’t have high blood pressure (yet). Even so, I know I could do a lot better.
Like my parents, I have a lot of people that love me. I’m a wife, mother, friend, and big-time lover of life. I want to live the longest, healthiest life possible. Not only that, but I want to feel better as I age, not worse. So, you could say I had a few goals going into my first appointment with my Fay nutritionist.
My Personal Experience with a Fay Nutritionist
As a self-professed nutrition nerd (somewhat of a requirement here at Organic Authority), I know a lot about nutrition. Probably more than the average person. But even with all the nutrition knowledge, I’ve never found the discipline to stick to eating healthfully. I find planning meals overwhelming.
So when it was proposed that I try Fay Nutrition, I was at a solid 10 on the enthusiasm scale. Once I did some research, I knew that a dietitian (something that I previously thought was out of reach for me!) was exactly what I needed to take control of my health.
The Sign-up Process
Signing up was seriously easy. And when I say easy, I mean it — it took me around two minutes. I entered my zip code, my insurance information, and filtered for a couple of specialties (vegetarian and perimenopause).
Once I was signed up, I searched through the smiling photos and bios of prospective nutritionists. I landed on Lyla Joffe, RD. Next, I set up our first appointment.
My First Session with a Dietitian
Before I logged into my first 1.5 hour session, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Part of me thought she was going to grill me on my food choices and maybe gently pass judgment, which would be her total professional right. But that’s not how it went.
We started with quick, friendly introductions, then jumped right into it. She guided me through talking about my goals and my eating habits. There was no judgment or pressure. Honestly, it felt like I was chatting with a friend over coffee. A very knowledgeable friend who wanted the best for me and had the knowledge to help me achieve my goals.
Towards the end of the first session, Lyla laid out her plan for me. She told me that she likes to meet weekly for the first 12 weeks. She planned to bake education into my plan, where she’d teach me an aspect of nutrition relevant to me during each session. On my end, I’d be responsible for logging my food in an app to share information with her. Our sessions would include going over what I ate for the week and setting up weekly goals for the next week.
What really blew me away was that within one virtual meeting with Lyla, I felt empowered. I felt like taking control of my health was possible and that I was finally going to do it.
The Journey So Far
I’ve been using Fay Nutrition for about a month now, and I’ve already had incredible outcomes.
From the very beginning, my nutritionist made it clear that her goal (our goal!) was not to overhaul everything at once, but instead have a goal or two to focus on at a time.
I’ve never felt as in control over my health as I have these few weeks.
For the first time in a long time, I think of preparing healthy food as a gift to myself and my health instead of a chore. I enjoy shopping and planning for these meals. I’ve gotten so into it, I’ve even added some pretty food storage containers to my holiday wish list. And so far, I’ve lost around four pounds, which is more about health than anything else for me.
Best of all, I’m never alone in the journey. I love that Lyla asks me questions along the way to involve me in my plan. Unlike a registered dietitian that you might see in person, I’m able to contact her throughout the week with any questions or concerns. And she consistently checks in, cheering me on.
She did tell me that she couldn’t remark on the office hours or boundaries of other practitioners, but she’s been more than happy to answer any question that I have. The Fay Nutrition app also reminds me via text every day (you can set up your own preferences) to log my food and reflect on my day.
For the first time in a long time, I think of preparing healthy food as a gift to myself and my health instead of a chore.
Overall, the process has been like having a friend, cheerleader, and knowledgeable guide in my corner every step of the way. Imagine how much better your food and nutrition choices would be with your own nutrition fairy looking out for you!
Fay Nutrition and the Power of Personalized Nutrition
Why One-Size-Fits-All Nutrition Advice Doesn’t Work
When it comes to nutrition, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Things like your genetics, lifestyle, and medical history are huge factors in determining your optimal dietary needs. Most of the time, generic diets overlook these individual differences, leading to frustration and not a whole lot of success. Trust me, I’ve been there. Many times over.
Instead, Fay Nutrition’s fresh approach is centered around these principles:
- 1-on-1 consultations where you’ll get personalized guidance and nutrition counseling from experienced dietitians
- Customized meal plans with tailored meals to fit your lifestyle and preferences
- Ongoing support with regular check-ins and motivation to stay on track
The Role of Registered Dietitians
Registered Dietitians (RDs) are highly qualified healthcare professionals with extensive knowledge of food, nutrition, and health. They are trained to assess your individual needs, develop personalized nutrition meal plans, and provide evidence-based guidance. And as someone who’s looking for accountability, I’m particularly fond of having someone to hold my hand through these lifestyle changes.
Knowledge of Medical Specialities
Fay Nutrition RDs can also help with a wide range of health concerns, which makes it easy to find someone to support your specific dietary needs.
Here are some of the medical specialties covered:
| Autoimmune | High Cholesterol |
| Bariatric | IBD, IBS |
| Cancer / Oncology | Kidney Disease |
| Celiac | PCOS, POTS |
| Colitis | Pediatrics |
| Crohn’s Disease | Perimenopause & Menopause |
| Diabetes | Pregnancy & Postpartum |
| Eating Disorders & Disordered Eating | SIBO |
| Food Allergies & Sensitivities | Sports Nutrition |
| GERD | Thyroid Health |
| General Nutrition | Transplant |
| Gut Health | Vegan & Vegetarian |
| High Blood Pressure | Weight Loss |
The Benefits of Using Fay Nutrition
Improved Health and Quality of Life
Beyond weight management, here are just a few of the ways that working with a registered dietitian can improve your overall health and well-being:
- Reduce your risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes
- Support mental health, reduce anxiety, and improve your mood
- Teach you how to manage stress and promote balance through mindful eating and a healthy lifestyle
Empowerment and Education
The nutritionists at Fay Nutrition don’t just give you a meal plan, they empower you with knowledge and skills to make sustainable, long-term changes. And that’s not just about food — proper nutrition can affect everything from your energy to the quality of your sleep.
You’ll learn how to:
Final Thoughts on Fay Nutrition
If you asked me before this experience if I would recommend getting a nutritionist, I would have said, sure, if you have the money and the time, go for it. But since having this experience with Fay Nutrition, I’d say it’s a no-brainer, no matter your circumstances.
Health really is wealth, and preventing common health issues via nutrition can save you a lot of money and time in the long run. Having a nutritionist is a power move — an empowered move, even. You deserve to take control of your health, and Fay Nutrition makes it easy.
FAQs
Are nutritionists covered by insurance?
Not always, but they are with Fay Nutrition.
How much do dietitians cost?
A session with a registered dietitian could cost up to $600. But with Fay Nutrition, you’re able to use insurance — 95% of people with insurance will pay as little as $0.
Does working with a dietitian help?
Absolutely, working with a dietitian can help. Whether your goal is to eat more healthfully, lose weight, or change your diet due to health issues, a dietitian has the knowledge and skills to guide the way. However, like anything (diet, exercise, etc.), you must meet them halfway. Ultimately, you are in charge of the food that goes into your body.
What happens when you work with a nutritionist?
A nutritionist or registered dietitian will first assess your needs and goals, as well as where you’re at currently. Then they’ll work with you to formulate a plan that will get you to your goals and guide you along the way.
Is it worth talking to a dietitian?
Yes, absolutely. If you’ve considered speaking to a dietitian or have been encouraged to speak to one, you should do so. Whether you wish to lower your cholesterol, eat a diabetes-friendly diet, control diet-related symptoms (bloating, dysbiosis, etc.), avoid allergies, lose weight, or just take better control of your health, a dietitian can support you. They are trained to assess your individual needs, develop personalized nutrition meal plans, and provide evidence-based guidance.
What is the difference between a nutritionist and a registered dietitian?
Though often used interchangeably in our vernacular, there is a difference between the two terms. All dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are dietitians. A registered dietitian has a specific licensure and education requirements. Dietitians are medical professionals. Nutritionists, on the other hand, are often only self-titled as such.
Sources:
- https://chlpi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Doctoring-Our-Diet-II_FINAL_6.10.24.pdf
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29634829/
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