What is Dietetics?
Dietetics is the branch of medicine that studies everything related to human nutrition. Thus, dietetics professionals study the process by which our body processes food to metabolize nutrients (fats, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, water and minerals). In addition, dietitians also advise on healthy eating habits.
Dietetics, therefore, allows us to understand eating habits and analyze those that are best suited to each person, in order to establish personalized diets. It also helps to understand the concepts of energy value of nutrients and, therefore, caloric needs, how the body processes these nutrients and how many nutrients should be ingested for healthy nutrition.
The fact of knowing better the composition of the body and assessing its nutritional status also allows the dietician to organize meals according to pre-established schedules, and to the variety and quantity of recommended foods.
Dietetics studies everything related to nutrition.
What diseases does dietetics treat?
Dietetics studies and treats diseases related to malnutrition or malnutrition, diabetes or hypertension, pathologies closely linked to the way we eat and lifestyle habits (healthy or not). It also treats eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, and diseases such as obesity.
What subspecialties are there within Dietetics?
There are no specific subspecialties within Dietetics. However, there are closely related specialties or branches of medicine, such as Nutrition or Endocrinology, which also study aspects related to food and human nutrition, as well as all related hormonal disorders.
When is it necessary to go to the dietician?
There are many reasons to see a dietitian. From the American Dietetic and Nutrition Association they explain the 10 most common reasons why people go to the dietitian’s office:
- Diabetes, hypertension or cardiovascular problems: the dietitian is a basic piece, since he/she can help the patient to change the way he/she eats without sacrificing taste. – Undergoing bariatric gastric bypass surgery: after such an operation the stomach can only manage small portions of food, so it is a challenge to get the right amount of nutrient intake. The dietitian will cooperate with the digestive specialist in this regard.
- Digestive problems: the dietitian will adjust the diet, with the help of the GI specialist, to prevent any digestive problems from worsening. – Pregnancy or desire of pregnancy: a correct nutrition can help in the success of the pregnancy and that the woman obtains the necessary nutrients.
- Breastfeeding the baby: the dietitian can help the mother get enough iron, vitamin D, fluoride and B vitamins for herself and the baby through food. – Eating disorders: the dietitian can help with disorders such as bulimia, anorexia or overweight.
- Losing weight or gaining weight: dietitians, depending on the patient’s needs, may suggest the intake of additional sources of nutrients or calories and thus gain weight in a healthy way. In case of weight loss, they will also suggest a diet and physical exercise.
- Care of the elderly: the dietician can also suggest specific diets suitable for the elderly, depending on their ailments or aging processes (hypertension, adequate hydration, interaction of food with drugs, change of taste buds…).
- Acquisition of good eating habits: the dietician can help the patient to learn to eat well (reading food labels, cooking in a healthy way, learning how to eat out while taking care of the diet, resisting snacks…).
- Improve sports results with the help of the dietitian, setting goals to achieve the desired results in sports activities.