Frequently Asked Questions

Anyone interested in improving their health can benefit from meeting with a Registered Dietitian. No matter what your age. Some examples of when you could see a dietitian include:

If you think your eating habits are pretty good, but want to

• make sure you are on the right track and getting all the nutrients you need
• You’re looking to make some dietary changes, such as becoming vegetarian or vegan
• If you want to lose weight and keep it off, a dietitian can help you form sustainable habits to help prevent the yo-yo dieting.
• If you want to gain weight or muscle.
• If you want to prevent diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
• A dietitian can make sure you are eating enough to fuel your training and exercise.
• We can also help you manage symptoms of IBS or other digestive concerns.
• We can help you plan, shop and cook healthy meals no matter what your budget or time constraints.

You go to the doctor for a check-up, why not get your nutrition and diet checked-up too. Learn about the best foods for you to eat to feel your best.

Registered Dietitians (RD) are regulated health care professionals. To become a Registered Dietitian requires completing a 4-year undergraduate degree in food and nutrition from an accredited university program, and a 1 year dietetic internship program to receive hundreds of hours of hands-on, supervised training. A nutritionist is not a protected title in some provinces (it is not in Ontario), which means anyone can use it. Their experience and education levels can vary.

Registered Dietitians’ nutrition services are not covered by OHIP. However, your extended health insurance plan may provide some coverage for services from a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist. Every plan is different and you will need to call your insurance company or look into your individual plan. You may have a certain dollar amount covered per session or for a total dollar amount for the year. I will provide you with a detailed receipt so that you can submit your claim and be reimbursed.

For more details about the various packages, go to Nutrition Counselling and click on the link to the services page for your specific needs and goals. In each package, you will see that there are 60-minute Individual Nutrition Assessment and 45-minute follow-up appointments.

The first meeting is a 60 minute Initial Nutrition Assessment and includes:

• Discussion of your personal goals, barriers to success, lifestyle, health and medical history, exercise and eating habits
• Feedback from your 3-day food record (suggest changes to make that align with your goals)
• Long and short term goal setting and putting together a plan to help you reach your goals
• Nutrition education based on your needs, nutrition resources and recipes

Follow-up appointments include:

• Continued coaching towards your goals
• Providing support and accountability
• Answering questions and providing further education.
• Grocery store tours and meal planning sessions if desired
• Email support for answering questions and checking-in between appointments

Typically I meet with clients every 2-4 weeks. In the beginning, we may need to space appointments close together in order to provide extra support as you begin to make changes, but it is very individual. The number of follow-ups you need can really depend on your goals and your starting point. If you need help deciding which package length you need, you can contact me by phone or email to discuss!

No, you do not need a doctor’s referral. However, some extended health insurance plans may require a doctor’s referral in order to be reimbursed. You will need to check the type of plan you have.

Certainly! It’s great to have support as you are making changes. They may sit in, or if you would both like to receive counselling together you can as well.

My office is located close to downtown Windsor at 568 Chatham Street E. This is located between Glengarry and Aylmer Street and 1 block south of Riverside Drive – right next to the Casino of Windsor. There is lots of free parking in the lot next to the building. My office is on the main floor. When you enter the building, walk through the door to your right (you will see my name on the door). There is a couch and waiting area. Have a seat and I will come to you at the start of your appointment.

Under some circumstances, I will come to your home for nutrition counselling.