I do not want to consult a dietitian?

Excuse me. You do not want to consult a dietitian? May I know the reasons for this? 

I was thinking about this a few days ago. In fact, I think about this matter almost every day now. Perhaps the public does not know what a dietitian is, or perhaps they thought they knew what a dietitian is, but they got all the wrong thoughts in their heads.

In the hospital, I only see patient with a doctor's referral. Of course I can be such a volunteer to go and see patients who do not have referrals. Once in a blue moon, a really rare blue moon, a patient will ask for a referral to see a dietitian. I'd very glad to consult such patient because his/her readiness to change is COMMITTED, i.e. He/she is willing to take whatever it needs to achieve the goal that the dietitian targeted! Such patient not only motivate his/her own self, but also motivate me tremendously!

It has been several times already, when I introduce myself as a dietitian that provides nutrition consultation, they will start commenting about how much restrictions a dietitian will ask them to do, and they still want to enjoy their food for another half century, so a dietitian is like a headmaster restricting their daily favourite food intake. They said all these even before I start explaining on what I am supposed to do.

Dear Tuan-tuan dan Puan-puan (Ladies and Gentlemen),
I will not restrict you from eating your favourite food. For goodness sake, I hate restrictions more than you do.

1) I am not your mother. Like what is written at Eatright.org, the last thing I will do is to give you a one-size-fits-all diet advice. I totally believe that each individual is extraordinary in their own ways. Asking you to stop eating this or stop drinking that will only make me look more like your mother. Okay, I may talk like your mother, but I definitely will set a goal that is realistic and of course predominant for you only.

2) I am not a salesperson. After talking and explaining to you about nutrition, my ultimate goal is not to persuade you to buy a million dollar product, but my goal is to educate you about what is the best nutrition for you and how you can make better health based on your personal usual dietary intake and lifestyles. Okay, I will only recommend the real food, whole food for you, which you can easily buy from the market outside.

3) I am not an accountant. I am not so calculative as: One day, exactly 8 glasses of water.  If not, you failed.  One day, sugar level must be within 4 to 8 mmol/L. If not, you failed. Okay, of course I do count calories and nutrients, but my paramount idea is to want you to enjoy real food, play around with nutrition, while being at optimal health status. Nutrition is easy to understand, just need some proper guidance and encouragement on how to master it and maintain it.

Haiyo, just eat la.
But MINDFUL eating :)