Nutritionist or dietician?

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,

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! 

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.

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