Top Reasons Why My Nutrition Solutions and Ideas Might Not Work For You: Why None of the Ideas Are Good

When patients come to see me for their nutrition concerns, they often want practical ideas to help them reach their nutrition goals.

Patients often have criteria of what will work for them. They might want ideas of foods that are simple, they like, and help them improve their health. Sometimes they want help finding exercise that is enjoyable, not expensive, and gives them an aerobic workout. Maybe they want the protein bar or shake that is cheap enough, does not taste gritty, and is also vegan. Or they want a solution for their elevated blood sugar that does not take much time, includes their favorite foods, and does require them to eat any new foods.

Patients come in with tall orders, and often there are solutions that work for them. It might take creativity from me to find ideas that work for the patient, and it often takes a willingness from the patient to be open to new ideas. When both are in order, the patient leaves the visit satisfied and with direction.

But sometimes none of the ideas are adequate. For any number of reasons, each idea just won't work for the patient. The patient can tell me why each reason won't work. We may go through many iterations of ideas and solutions, to no avail. I just can't seem to come up with the right answer. What is going on when this happens?

From my experience, there are a few common culprits when none of my ideas seem to be acceptable to my patient.

Why My Nutrition Ideas Won't Work

• Discrepancies in expectations. Sometimes patients come into visits with a preconceived idea of what happens in a nutrition appointment. They might be expecting something that is not typical care from a dietitian. For example, if a patient assumes that they will receive meal plans for the next month, they will be dissatisfied with "just" ideas on how to incorporate a particular nutrient into their meals.

• Fear and anxiety. Patients often come to me after a new diagnosis that affects how they will be eating. It can take time for a patient to process, grieve, and accept that their life will be different. Eating is a major part of our lives, and if that has to change, it is can lead to anxiety about the future. When this happens, I may have to help the patient understand their fears and reach an acceptance of their new situation. Once that happens, patients are often more ready to try suggestions.

• Misinformation and misconceptions. I often see patients who come to me with their own understanding of how their medical condition should be addressed with nutrition. Sometimes those ideas are incorrect. When my recommendations are not in line with their mistaken information, patients can be understandably resistant to my ideas. More education and explanation can often solve this issue.

• Missing information. When I am missing information about a patient, I might suggest ideas that are not appropriate. Perhaps the patient has financial challenges that limit what they can purchase to eat, phobias that limit what foods they are willing to cook, or prior experiences that taught the patient that certain things don't work for them. If I have not interviewed the patient thoroughly, or if the patient omitted some details, I might be missing some of this crucial information.

• Lack of readiness. Patients may attend a nutrition appointment but are not yet ready to make changes in how they eat. Often, it is just a matter of time, discussion, and patience before a patient becomes ready. Once that happens, they may be more open to my ideas.

Resistance to new ideas is a reality of us humans. I understand that my patients are usually not eager to change their eating habits. For me as a dietitian, I have to roll with the resistance, and understand what they patient needs to be able to make changes.