Book a session with Virginia Spoerry
Book a session with Virginia Spoerry, a registered dietitian specialized in sports nutrition, wellness, Allergies and Intolerances, Diabetes, Digestive Concerns, Heart Health, Intuitive Eating and more.
Achieve your health and fitness goals with customized meal plans, expert guidance, and ongoing support from our experienced dietitians. Start your journey towards better health today!
Individuals report feeling more confident in their food choices after working with a registered dietitian.
4 out of 5 Canadian adults possess a chronic disease risk factor, such as smoking, inactivity, poor diet, or alcohol misuse.
2.7M Canadians with diabetes benefit more from dietitian-led interventions than non-dietitian ones, as evidenced by lower A1C levels.
Eating healthy can feel like a daunting task, especially with the abundance of diet trends and conflicting nutrition advice out there. That's where a dietitian who can help you with meal planning comes in handy!
Our nutrition professionals have the expertise to guide you through the maze of food choices and create a personalized meal plans tailored to your unique needs.
In this section, we'll explore the many benefits of working with a dietitian, how they can help you achieve your health goals, and what to expect during a consultation.
When working with a dietitian, meal planning is about more than just handing you a pre-made meal plan and sending you on your way.
A dietitian who specializes in meal planning will take the time to get to know you before customizing a plan to your preferences, condition, goals, cooking skills, schedule, and more. Your dietitian will also teach you skills that will allow you to participate in and eventually create meal plans for yourself - if that aligns with your goals.
When working with a dietitian for help with meal planning, they will start by evaluating your current eating habits and identifying areas where improvements can be made. They'll also take into account your lifestyle, activity level, and any medical conditions you may have.
After assessing your needs, your dietitian may offer to either 1) design a meal plan that fits your preferences and goals or 2) develop of more flexible structure aimed to guide your decision-making during the week. This can include deciding on or providing delicious and nutritious recipes, grocery lists, and portion guidelines.
Your dietitian specializing in meal planning will continue to be there to provide ongoing support and guidance, answering any questions you may have and helping you stay on track with your meal plan and goals.
Working on meal planning with a dietitian can provide numerous benefits, including:
Receive customized nutrition advice tailored to your unique needs
Assistance in managing medical conditions through dietary changes
Support in achieving weight loss or other health goals
Access to delicious and healthy recipes
Reduce stress by removing the burden of decision-making
Save time with more efficient shopping and cooking.
Save money at the grocery store by buying food you have a higher chance of eating (because you know when you will eat it!)
Start by asking friends, family, or healthcare providers for recommendations. You can also search for registered dietitians in your area through professional organizations like the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics or search right here on Online Nutrition.
Ensure the dietitian you choose is a registered dietitian (RD) or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). Check for additional certifications or specializations in areas relevant to your needs, such as body weight concerns or diabetes education.
Your dietitian will begin by gathering information about your medical history, dietary habits, and lifestyle. They will also ask about your goals and preferences as they take a collaborative-approach to care.
Together, you and your dietitian will set achievable goals and develop a customized nutrition care plan which may include (but is not limited to!) a meal plan, meal planning, nutrition education, and goal-setting to help you make small sustainable changes that last.
Your dietitian will provide ongoing support, making adjustments to your nutrition care plan (or meal plan if you have one) as needed and offering guidance to help you stay on track.
Working with a dietitian on meal planning can provide you with the personalized nutrition guidance and support you need to achieve your health goals.
Whether you're looking to manage a medical condition, lose weight, or simply improve your overall well-being, a meal planning dietitian can help you navigate the complex world of nutrition and create a plan tailored to your unique needs. So, why wait? Take the first step towards a healthier, happier life by finding the right dietitian for you.
Only if you want one! While some clients love and want a meal plan, many others prefer to work on one sustainable habit change at a time. Your dietitian will meet you where you are at to help you get where you want to go.
It depends. While following a meal plan isn't (nor should it be!) everyone's goal, they can certainly be an effective and helpful tool for some, especially when developed by qualified nutrition professionals like registered dietitians. Meal plans can be used in various scenarios, such as for athletes, for people wanting to stick to a specific food budget, or therapeutically for people living with medical conditions which make it more difficult to meet their nutritional needs.
Yes. There is a difference!
A meal plan is a document that states specific foods to eat during the day, often specifying timing and portions. The goal is to provide structure to your day, and can be especially helpful to manage specific medical conditions or correct nutrient deficiencies. To increase the chance of a meal plan being effective, it should be customized to you; your schedule, cooking skill, taste and cultural preferences, financial constraints and health or fitness goals.
Unlike a meal plan, the action of meal planning involves deciding on meals in advance. The goal of meal planning is to help you with grocery shopping and relieve some of the burden of decision-making during the week.
Dietitians are qualified to support you with both, and can co-create a meal plan as well as support you with meal planning tailored to your values, needs and preferences.
Yes, meal planning can be a helpful tool, depending on the eating habits you are trying to develop (or reduce).
Amongst other things, meal planning can help with portion control, selecting nutritious foods, providing structure to facilitate consistency, and reducing the stress of decision-making during the week.
If weight loss is one of your goals, we strongly recommend consulting with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian to help determine the best approach to safely meet your needs.
Yes, meal planning is one (of many!) tools and strategies that can help you manage your medical condition(s) and feel your best.
It is important to note that meal planning for medical conditions should be done in consultation with a healthcare professional and/or a registered dietitian. These professionals can provide evidence-based recommendations to structure meal planning as well as recommendations tailored to your specific needs and goals.
In Canada, there is sometimes a difference between the terms Dietitian and nutritionist. While both titles can be use interchangeably in some provinces, this is not the case in others.
The title ‘Dietitian’ is protected by law across Canada in every province. The term ‘nutritionist’ however, is only a protected title in Alberta, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
Only nutrition professionals who are regulated and have protected titles have a legal scope of practice which includes: providing individualized nutrition counselling, medical nutrition therapy, and nutrition education to individuals with specific health concerns.
That said, while the term "nutritionist" is sometimes used on this website, it is important to note that we only work with licensed Registered Dietitians in good standing with their provincial regulatory bodies. That means you can be assured that all of our partners providing nutrition counselling meet the education and ethical standards set by all of the provincial regulatory bodies across Canada.
We strongly recommend that you consult with a Registered Dietitian (or other recognized healthcare professional such as a doctor) when you are considering making any significant dietary changes.
Rest assured that on Online Nutrition, every nutrition professional is vetted to confirm they are a Registered Dietitian in good standing with their provincial regulatory body.
It was so easy to find and meet with my dietitian. After just two sessions I am already feeling such a huge difference in my energy, mood and performance in the gym. Thank you Online Nutrition!