Nutrition - Dow | Dow

PERSONALIZED SUPPORT FOR HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHANGES

Learning the role your food choices play in supporting your health is key to achieving overall wellness. Nutrition can positively or negatively impact nearly every area of your health- from biometric values to your energy level, skin health and even sleep quality.

nutrition COUNSELING

The Dow Family Health Center offers FREE access to Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs), who can help you achieve and sustain optimal nutrition by providing no-cost education, support and accountability on the following and more:

Diabetes/ Pre-Diabetes
High Blood Pressure
Cholesterol/ Lipid/ Triglyceride Management
Pregnancy & Prenatal Nutrition
Kidney stones or Renal Dysfunction
Food allergies or Intolerances
Weight loss management or weight loss surgery planning & prep
Cancer & Treatment Support

Unintended weight gain or weight loss
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Vitamin or Mineral Imbalances
Unintended weight gain or weight loss
Peri/ Post-Menopausal Nutrition
Digestive disorders, Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Cancer & Treatment Support

WHAT TO EXPECT IN A NUTRITION SESSION

Nutrition coaching sessions typically last 30 to 60 minutes.

To share information regarding your current health status, typical eating patterns, food preferences, any family or personal medical history that nutrition may impact, and most importantly what you would like to get out of the session.

To learn something. We will discuss what you currently know about nutrition and any health related conditions you may have. We will build on that knowledge and give you information, tips and resources to make you feel confident in knowing the best way to eat for your health.

To develop and commit to an action plan. We will brainstorm ways to improve your nutrition to support your health. You will always play an active role in your session by identifying what you are willing and ready to change. Some changes may be big; some may be small. YOU determine what you are ready for and your dietitian will help guide your personalized path to a healthier lifestyle that is manageable and realistic for your life.

Goal setting. You will leave your session with clear cut goals designed specifically for you to improve your health, nutrition and lifestyle.

Appointments can be conducted in person, via video conference or over the phone.

Virtual

Telephonic

Schedule a NO-COST nutrition coaching session today.

Meet your nutrition TEAM

Our team of experienced and qualified Registered Dietitian Nutritionists are trained to assist you in a variety of ways and may even help you connect to specialists depending on your situation. Below are two of the supportive Wellness Team members you may work with.

Maggie Rettelle, RDN, CHWC

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Briana Baker, MS, RD, LD

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

thriving thursdays

Thriving Thursdays is a monthly program designed to help you be a better, healthier you.

Sessions are held virtually on the first Thursday of every month at Noon ET / 11 a.m. CT, and are led by the Dow Family Health Center and other health and wellness experts. All sessions include interactive, thought-provoking discussions on health issues, nutrition and more to help you achieve your full potential – at work and in life.

NUTRITION FAQs

I already know what I should be eating. Why should I meet with a dietitian if they are going to tell me what I already know?

Knowing and doing are two different things. One of the dietitian’s roles is to educate. But they are also going to assess what knowledge you already have & build upon that. Your dietitian will also help you find ways to make ‘what you already know’ livable and work into your life.

I just need the dietitian to tell me what to eat. Will the dietitian give me a meal plan I can follow?

Although a scripted meal plan may be one of the many tools your dietitian may use temporarily, the dietitian will help you make your own confident food choices and enable you to build your own plan without needing to follow something on paper.

I am already seeing a wellness coach for weight loss. Why would I need to work with a dietitian?

A wellness coach can definitely get you started on the right track to weight loss with general healthy eating guidelines. If you want more specific recommendations (calories, macros or other nutrient) calculated with your own personal health history & goals in mind, if you are trying to improve your biometrics or are trying to change your eating habits to prevent or control a health condition, the dietitian will help tailor your food choices more specifically.

NUTRITION MYTH VS FACT

MYTH

Intermittent Fasting is for everyone.

FACT

There are many healthy approaches to eating well. Intermittent fasting may be an option for you. Please consult a knowledgeable RDN to find out what approach will work for you.

MYTH

Carbs are bad.

FACT

Carbohydrates, are foods that, when digested and broken down, present as sugars in the bloodstream. These sugars fuel your body and are the body’s preferred sources of energy. To get the most ‘good’ nutrition out of carbohydrate foods, choose naturally occurring foods (like fresh fruit) and food sources high in fiber (whole grains).

MYTH

If you are at a healthy weight, your biometrics will be good.

FACT

Although being in a healthy weight range can promote healthy biometric values, your lifestyle choices (food choice, amount, level of physical activity, stress, sleep habits) and genetics may play a role in your biometric results.