Know Your Pros
I've had a lot of clients receiving very questionable nutrition and fitness advice from primary care physicians recently.
This is a reminder that doctors are experts in medicine and health.
They are usually not also experts in nutrition and movement and exercise.
If they were, why would we need physical therapists, registered dietitians, and personal trainers? 🤔
Just last week, different clients have shared with me that their general practitioners:
told them to go on a popular diet program that cut out a lot of food groups
told them to eat fewer than 1000 calories a day to lose weight
offered a prescription for weight loss medicine without first inquiring about the patient's existing nutrition or exercise program
advised them to stop running because it would ruin their knees, despite this person not having any pain
told a client just to do cardio and run more to lose weight
None of this was sound advice for these clients, and I get it: The healthcare industry is NOT set up to comprehensively care for patients, and the amount of face time to get to know patients and build a relationship is basically zero.
A 2022 study showed that primary care physicians would need 26.7 hours per day to see an average number of patients while following all the recommended guidelines for preventive care, chronic disease care, and acute care. There literally is not enough time for a primary care physician to address all of a patient's needs.
That's why:
If a physician believes a patient needs a specific nutritional plan, they should be referring that patient to a registered dietitian — NOT just promoting the latest crash diet or making random recommendations.
If a physician believes a patient needs to start exercising, they should recommend they work with a personal trainer rather than giving blanket guidelines that may or may not actually benefit that patient.
If a patient has pain with certain movements, they should be referred to a specialist and/or a physical therapist, not told to avoid certain movements forever.
Not sure who to ask about what?
Personal Trainer:
Teach clients how to move and how to move well, create programming for different goals, adjust exercises for greater safety and effectiveness
General nutrition advice ONLY.
Cannot write meal plans or diagnose/treat health conditions or injuries
Physical therapist:
Use hands-on therapy and prescribed exercise to help patients move better, prevent or rehabilitate injuries, and manage pain.
Must earn their doctor of physical therapy degree and pass a state licensure exam.
Nutrition Coach:
Educate clients on nutrition and aid them in implementing new skills and habits through lifestyle & behavior change.
Cannot write meal plans.
Registered Dietitian/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN):
Educate clients on diet and nutrition, assess nutritional needs, and create individualized nutrition guidance.
Must complete a degree program, internships, and pass a licensure exam.
They are the only professionals who can provide custom meal plans and use nutrition to diagnose or treat health conditions
General or Primary Care Physician:
Diagnose and treat illness and provide preventative care.
They go to medical school, complete a residency program, pass state licensure exams, and become certified by a medical board in their field.
Physicians receive very little in-depth nutrition education and should refer out to registered dietitians if patients require nutritional guidance
Celebrity/Influencer:
Often sell or promote products or workouts with NO education or qualifications (usually just a financial stake)
Ignore them and get your information from more legitimate sources
Not sure who to ask? Email me: coachjustineh@gmail.com or DM me on Instagram @jchcoaching
