Does a dietetics perform nutrition counselling?

A dietitian may review your usual meals, appetite, symptoms, medical history, medicines, allergies, and daily routine. Together, you can identify manageable changes involving portions, meal structure, food variety, hydration, or preparation methods. Counselling may support conditions such as diabetes, digestive symptoms, high cholesterol, undernutrition, or food allergies, depending on the clinician’s scope. The advice should account for culture, budget, access to food, and what you can sustain; it is not a generic list of foods to avoid.

Keep a food and symptom record for a few days if practical, and bring medicine and supplement details. Note your main goal, such as improving energy, managing a symptom, or planning meals around treatment. Mention pregnancy, kidney or liver disease, swallowing difficulty, allergies, and any past disordered eating. You can read about [nutrition counselling](/treatments/lifestyle-and-wellness/nutrition-counselling/).

Arrange prompt medical review for unexplained weight change, persistent vomiting or diarrhoea, blood in the stool, trouble swallowing, severe abdominal pain, or signs of dehydration. Seek emergency help for collapse, breathing difficulty after eating, or swelling of the lips or tongue. Nutrition counselling can support care but does not replace assessment of a new or severe symptom.

Ask what information to bring, whether your medicines affect nutrition, how goals will be measured, and when a follow-up or referral to another clinician is needed.