Nutritionist or dietician?

nlm

Did anyone visit a nutritionist or dietician after diagnosis? I know I need to eat better, but dont really know where to start. Is there anything I should be looking for? Can anyone suggest any reading material?

dlb823

Hi, nim ~ Yes, I met with an integrative doctor after I finished my active treatment.  She measured my BMI and had me provide a lot of lifestyle information (diet, supplements, exercise, etc.) that she reviewed and made recommendations about improving.  She also gave me a lot of reading material and helpful lists, such as which foods are most important to buy organic.   

One of the books that she recommended and that many of us on BCO have read and think very highly of is David Servan-Schriber's Anti-Cancer, A New Way of Life.  He's an MD & PhD who is also a 2x cancer survivor, and his book is full of excellent, science-based advice.  I can also direct you to an on-line video presentation to a talk he did @ UCLA, which will give you a lot of the basic information he teaches.  PM me if you want that link.    

For the most comprehensive and forward-thinking information (especially re. supplements), an integrative doctor or naturapathic doctor (naturapath) might be a better choice than a nutritionist or dietician.    Deanna

   

nlm

Thank you. I never though of a naturapath. Is your naturapath your primary care physician or in addition to?

mollyann

nlm,

You need to find a practitioner who is experienced in breast cancer--someone not affiliated with an institution like a hospital.  An institutional affiliation means they have to tow the party line of the place and our discouraged from going to the most innovative conferences. A good naturopath, nutritionist or integrative cancer physician knows what the new thinking is. They will be questioning of assumptions. 

Do not be reassured by the person's degree because most of what they need to know, they have had to learn themselves since their schooling. They have had to read up and go to conferences. In my area, we have an excellent MD who has specialized in integrative cancer therapies since the 1970s. He is very good but very, very expensive. We also have a nutritionist who will work with medical doctors. She goes to all the conferences and was iodine-literate back in 2007. She charges about a tenth less. 

I like Dr. Servan-Schreiber (mentioned above) but he is behind on a few absolutely essential things that have changed since he wrote the book. 

I wish there were a book I could recommend about where to begin. Whoever eventually writes that book will make a fortune! 

If you PM me where your our located, I may know somebody in your area.

Good luck! 

Texas357

Mollyann: what is the Servan-Schrieber book behind about? I try to follow it as closely as possible.

catbill

Mollyann:

I would also be interested in knowing the answer to that question.  Do you not feel it is worthwhile.  I am looking for some good written information to have as a reference.

Edited for spelling error.

Texas357

Even if it's not completely up to date, he's saved his own life by following the advice in this book. That counts for a lot.

pod1257

Well I have to put in a good word for dietitians as I am a survivor and dietitian. I have a private practice and among other things, work for the Cancer Support Community (previously known as The Wellness Community - A national organization located in most major cities.) providing individual nutrition counseling for all types of cancer as well as the latest on nutrition for the various networking groups.

As someonelse said, it is important to get a dietitian that is up on the latest and can "think outside the box." I work very hard to listen to my clients and individualize my recommendations. Unfortulately I have heard some say that they had been to a dietitian before and did not learn much, but thankfully did get the info they needed with me.

I think more and more, dietitians are learning to apply their knowledge to the "real world" and be more innovative in getting their nutrition message out. Unfortunately there are still many "dinosaurs" out there that may not be of much help.

When looking for a dieititan, make sure he or she is registered and licensed (RDLD) A dietitian working in oncology at a major hospital or teaching hospital would be a good bet or a dietitian in private practice that has an emphasis and passion for cancer/oncology. You might want to inquire too, if this person does attend integrative medicine conferences or oncology related conferences to assess if they are "up to speed."

So check it out. You may be pleasantly surprised and you won't be out as much money as with a naturopath Dr or the like.

Julie

Joytotheworld

Much as I think a good dietician can provide a lot of helpful information to someone with breast cancer, I would caution anyone against using solely a dietician for treatment along with your doctor.  There are certain things most breast cancer survivors need to add to their lifestyles that cannot be covered solely by diet.  These are the sorts of recommendations that only an integrative physician or a naturopath are qualified to make - such things as supplements, dry skin brushing techniques, lymphatic massage, etc.  My naturopathic doctor does have a dietician that she will refer people to if they need more specific help with managing their diet.  However, I found the dietary recommendations made by my naturopath alone to be most helpful and I didn't think a nutritionist or dietician could possibly have helped me any more than that.