50 Handy Notes for Dietitians and Nutritionists to Suggest to their Patients along with the Prescription

On this page, you’ll find a comprehensive list of the best recommendations that a nutritionist or dietitian can offer their patients. As a doctor, you play a crucial role in helping your patients achieve optimal health, and these suggestions can serve as a valuable resource in your mission to do so.

The suggestions on this page have been carefully curated by experienced nutrition professionals and are backed by scientific research. They cover a wide range of topics, including diet, physical activity, gut health, and vitamin and mineral intake. You’ll find recommendations on increasing water intake, incorporating more fruits and vegetables into the diet, reducing the consumption of added sugars and unhealthy fats, and incorporating lean protein sources into meals.

In addition to diet-related suggestions, you’ll also find tips on physical activity, gut health, and vitamin and mineral intake. Whether your patients are iron-deficient, calcium-deficient, or lacking in vitamin D, these suggestions will help you ensure they are getting all the essential nutrients their bodies need to thrive.

As a doctor, you have the opportunity to make a real impact on your patient’s health and well-being. By incorporating these 50 nutritionist-recommended suggestions into your practice, you can help your patients achieve optimal health and lead happier healthier lives.

1. Increase water intake to at least 8 cups per day.
2. Include at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables in your diet daily.
3. Replace refined carbohydrates with whole-grain options.
4. Limit the consumption of added sugars.
5. Reduce the intake of saturated and trans fats.
6. Include healthy fats from sources like nuts, seeds, and avocados.
7. Incorporate lean protein sources like chicken, fish, and beans into your meals.
8. Avoid processed foods and opt for whole, unprocessed options instead.
9. Limit your alcohol intake.
10. Prioritize physical activity for at least 30 minutes daily.
11. Limit salt intake.
12. Add fiber-rich foods to your diet.
13. Include probiotics to support gut health.
14. Incorporate iron-rich foods in your diet if iron-deficient.
15. Add calcium-rich foods to your diet if calcium-deficient.
16. Ensure adequate vitamin D intake through food or supplementation.
17. Incorporate magnesium-rich foods into your diet.
18. Include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
19. Reduce the consumption of caffeine.
20. Avoid high-calorie drinks like sugary beverages.
21. Limit high-fat snacks.
22. Avoid skipping meals.
23. Eat slowly and mindfully.
24. Avoid eating late at night.
25. Portion control your meals.
26. Avoid skipping breakfast.
27. Incorporate more plant-based options into your diet.
28. Eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables.
29. Limit high-calorie condiments.
30. Cook with healthy oils like olive oil.
31. Avoid deep-fried foods.
32. Incorporate healthy cooking methods like grilling or baking.
33. Avoid eating large quantities of red meat.
34. Reduce dairy products if lactose intolerant.
35. Limit high-fat dairy products.
36. Incorporate more low-fat dairy products into your diet.
37. Avoid highly processed snacks.
38. Incorporate more nuts and seeds into your diet.
39. Avoid high-sugar breakfast cereals.
40. Reduce your intake of packaged foods.
41. Incorporate more whole-food options into your diet.
42. Avoid artificial sweeteners.
43. Avoid fast food.
44. Reduce your intake of canned and packaged soups.
45. Incorporate more homemade soups into your diet.
46. Avoid consuming too much-processed meat.
47. Incorporate more plant protein sources like beans and lentils.
48. Avoid consuming excessive amounts of protein supplements.
49. Limit your intake of high-sugar fruit juices.
50. Incorporate more herbal teas into your diet.

Which is the best place on a Prescription Pad to write Suggestions for the Patient?

The best place for a dietitian or nutritionist to write a suggestion on a prescription pad would likely be in the “Notes” or “Special Instructions” section. This section is usually located at the bottom of the prescription pad and is reserved for additional information or instructions that the healthcare provider would like to communicate to the patient or pharmacist.

In this section, the dietitian or nutritionist can write out their recommendation in clear and concise language, making sure to highlight the specific dietary changes or habits that the patient should adopt. They can also include any other relevant information, such as recommended portion sizes, meal frequency, and food substitutes.

Having the recommendation written on the prescription pad can serve as a tangible reminder for the patient and can also help ensure that the advice is followed, as the patient is more likely to take it seriously if it is written on an official medical document. Additionally, if the patient visits another healthcare provider or specialist, the recommendation will be readily available for them to review.