A local registered dietitian is a healthcare provider who has taken specialized training in nutritional health. A local registered dietitian may work in a private clinic, a hospital, nursing home or school. They can help patients with a variety of health conditions lose weight, lower cholesterol, understand the glycemic index, reduce depression symptoms through diet and more. They can also help you understand how exercise and nutrition work together and the connection between physical health and mental health. Whether you want to learn more about lactose intolerance, manage your diabetes or treat constipation, a local registered dietitian can be a great addition to your healthcare team. 

Fat is essential in our diet, helping us absorb nutrients, gain energy, keep us warm and support cell growth. Eating fat alone will not cause you to gain weight. However, it’s important to choose unsaturated fats over saturated fats. Saturates mainly come from animal products, while unsaturated fats are plant-based.

Different types of fat have different effects on your cholesterol levels. Saturated fats and trans fats raise bad cholesterol (LDL) levels in your blood, while monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats can lower them. Most nutritionists recommend replacing saturated fats and trans fats with monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. Pay attention to labels when you’re shopping. Don’t be fooled by foods that say “0 trans fat,” as they can contain a lot of saturated fats and/or be high in added sugars. Your local registered dietician 

Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood. While your body does need some triglycerides for energy, having high triglycerides can increase your risk of heart disease and may be a sign of metabolic syndrome. Causes of high triglycerides include obesity, kidney disease, hypothyroidism, poorly-controlled diabetes and certain medications.

If you've been diagnosed with high LDL cholesterol or you're just trying to make more heart healthy choices, there are several things you can do with your diet, in particular, lowering your dietary saturated fat. You can do that by aiming for lower-fat animal products, adding nuts and seeds to your diet, limiting egg yolks to two per week and eating more vegetarian meals. You can increase your intake of omega 3 fats. Omega 3 fats are found in fatty fish such as salmon, halibut, tuna, trout, mackerel, sardines and herring.

Seeing a regisitered dietician  to help you understand fast food better is oftena great starting place. If you do find yourself at a fast food chain, you can make healthier choices. To save calories and fat, opt for smaller portion sizes – maybe choose a kids’ meal. Keep an eye on the calorie count of salad dressings and sauces, as they can be deceptively high.  Many fast food restaurants offer side dishes that can be healthier, such as baked potatoes, yogurt and salad. If the restaurant offers a grilled meat option, choose that over fried. Order a water or a diet soda to drink.