Can a dietitian prescribe medication?

No, a dietetics doctor cannot prescribe medication. They can provide dietary and nutrition advice based on your requirements and preferences, however.

Do dietitians consult people of all ages?

Dietitians can offer dietary advice to people of all ages. They specialize in diverse fields such as geriatric and pediatric nutrition.

Do I need to see a dietitian if I consult a gastroenterologist?

It is not always necessary to consult a dietetics expert when consulting a gastroenterologist. Your specialist will recommend a dietitian consultation if required.

What is the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist?

A dietitian is a certified specialist in nutrition by the respective Board of their practice, while a nutritionist is an expert in nutrition and healthy diet practices.

Can dietitians diagnose a medical condition?

No, dietitians are not medical practitioners and cannot provide a medical diagnosis for an underlying health condition.

Consult our team of expert dietitians for an optimum diet balance

Dietetics is the field of optimizing daily food intake and aligning it with the principles of healthy nutrition. The food you consume each day influences multiple aspects of your physiology, metabolism, and even your mental and emotional well-being.

A dietetics doctor can suggest an ideal diet plan for you with a scientific nutrition basis, while also taking your dietary preferences into account. Dietitians often work closely with gastroenterologists and other nutrition specialists to provide the best dietary plan tailored to your needs.

Dietetics specialists are certified healthcare professionals who receive specific training in diverse fields of food and nutrition science, such as sports nutrition, oncology nutrition, and pregnancy nutrition. Dietetics doctors are qualified to educate and provide dedicated diet plans and nutritional advice at both the community and the individual level, creating holistic nutrition journeys for all.

You may believe that dietitian and nutritionist are interchangeable terms. However, there are distinctions between the two.

- Dietitians are certified specialists (from the respective Boards of their practicing nations) who are licensed to provide dietetics-related food consultation and nutrition plans.
- Nutritionists occupy a broader spectrum in this definition. They are experts in dietary or nutritional science on any level but are not usually certified by a Board.
- A quick rule of thumb to remember here is that all dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are dietitians.

Another crucial point to note is that dietitians are not medical practitioners from a functional standpoint. While they can advise you on better diet plans and nutrition, they cannot:

- Provide medical diagnosis by themselves for any health condition
- Prescribe medication for your health condition and/or diet.

With these considerations in mind, knowing when to visit a dietetics clinic (or specialist) for consultation and advice is essential to get the most benefit out of your visit.

When to visit a dietitian

Dietitians operate in diverse settings, given the broad scope of their work. You may find them at dedicated dietetics clinics or as specialists in super-specialty hospitals. They may also be part of corporate institutions in the food and nutrition sector. Dietitians in Dubai typically specialize in distinct fields of nutrition, such as children’s nutrition and dietetics for weight loss management. You might see a dietitian near you for any of the following reasons:

- Specialist recommendation: You may be referred to a specific dietitian by a medical specialist based on the issue you are facing. For instance, if you are facing an eating disorder, your general practitioner may suggest a consultation with a dietitian to assess your current nutrition parameters.
- Better dietary habits: You may also approach a dietitian in Dubai voluntarily, to get better insights and advice on improving your daily intake. Your dietitian will take note of your dietary preferences (such as vegetarianism) and suggest a diet plan accordingly. You will have regular follow-up appointments with your dietitian to ensure steady progress towards the desired results.
- Chronic disease support: Some chronic conditions like diabetes might also require a dietitian’s input to guarantee a smooth recovery process. The food recommendations a dietitian provides you with in these cases will run parallel to the disease treatment you receive from other specialists, and your diet will be modified accordingly.
- Planning meals: You may opt for a dietetics appointment to help you in planning your meals for a specific ongoing phase of physiological changes in the body. An example of this is consulting a dietitian for pregnancy, to better understand your (and the fetus’) nutritional needs.

Since dietetics doctors cannot perform surgery or prescribe medication, the scope of the treatments and procedures they provide also fall within a similar ambit.

Common Procedures and Treatments

A dietitian will bring their expertise in nutrition to a diverse range of advisory and consultation requirements. Treatments at a dietetics clinic are usually a journey, where you make progress in stages towards your dietary goals. Some of the common regimens and programs that dietetics experts can help you with include, but are not limited to:

- Nutrition Assessment & Education: A dietetics specialist can offer a complete perspective on your current dietary plan, what it lacks, and how you can optimize it. They will educate you with evidence-based information on better diet tips and clarify any misconceptions you may have about healthy eating.
- Eating Disorder Management: If you are facing an eating disorder, your dietitian can assist in rectifying its adverse impact. They will develop curated meal plans that account for the difficulties you face in eating.
- Pediatric Diet: A dietitian can suggest an ideal diet for your child. They factor in the child’s specific nutritional needs and digestive capabilities to recommend a comprehensive diet plan. They can also assist with common infant issues such as fussy eating.
- Chronic Disease Diet Management: When you are receiving intensive (or recurring) care for conditions such as cancer and diabetes, a dietitian’s role is often essential. They will recommend a nutrition plan that can accommodate your health changes and developments.
- Allergy & Intolerance: Understanding the root cause of food allergies and intolerance is the first step to moving past them. A dietitian’s input on food can help you make sense of why you are facing food allergies, and what alternatives you can substitute in your diet.

Getting a dietetics appointment at a reputed clinic near you can take you a step closer to achieving a healthier balance in your diet. Whether it is for health-related issues or for personal goals, an expert dietitian can be your guide to a healthier lifestyle.

myAster: Better & Convenient Healthcare

To get expert consultation from a dietitian in Dubai and other regions in the UAE, you can choose myAster as your one-stop application. Through our streamlined interface, you can easily access the best dietitians and filter your search based on clinics near you. You can also get a wide range of health and diet supplements delivered directly to your doorstep from our Online Pharmacy. For complete convenience in getting dietetics consultation, log in to myAster today.