The Role of a Dietitian |
We get up close and personal with WHHC's dietitian, Liong Suet Mei, on the role of a dietitian and her role in helping you prevent and manage heart disease.
In general, a dietitian promotes a healthy way of living by providing guidance on healthy eating habits. Dietitians are trained to evaluate your diet and suggest changes in your eating habits to help you reduce your cholesterol level, lower blood pressure and manage your blood sugars. In addition, they help you prevent malnutrition by ensuring your diet is adequate. They can also show you how healthy eating can be practical, fun, enjoyable and delicious!
There are two aspects to a dietitian's work: prevention and rehabilitation. They help individuals to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and other chronic conditions. These include - among other things - helping those with conditions like obesity and diabetes. Part of rehabilitative work is about helping patients cope with adopting new habits and to eat well after illness or surgery.
At WHHC, the dietitian's role is to help patients understand how the foods one eats can affect the heart. Apart from providing up-to-date information and helping patients distinguish facts from fads on how nutrition can influence heart disease and wellness, the dietitian also gives practical advice on preparing cardio-protective recipes that are tasty. Patients will be advised on how to select food wisely when eating out and in other social settings. The dietitian helps to design a personalised meal plan that meets your specific nutritional needs according to your lifestyle and nutritional requirements.
Weight management plays a vital role when it comes to maintaining a healthy heart. For those who need help to lose extra kilos, a dietitian will help establish realistic weight goals and create a guide on how to achieve those goals. The dietitian also motivates all patients to keep on track especially when the going gets tough: like when the patient's weight starts to plateau or when festive eating derails the patient from his or her prescribed eating and exercise plan. |
