What is Nutrition Therapy?

You may ask, does it involve strict diets and strange foods? It doesn't and it can best be explained by describing a NUTRITION THERAPY SESSION.

FIRST CONSULTATION

Together they would compile a detailed case study of your health, diet and lifestyle. They also will ask you to keep a "Food Diary" for three days during the next week which you then send to you therapist. They will analyse all the information and this enables them to produce an individual dietary programme for you. This rarely involves drastic changes but is more a set of recommendations/alterations to your existing diet.

SECOND CONSULTATION

They discuss how and what changes to make to improve your general nutrition, taking into consideration your personal health status, lifestyle constraints and food preferences. They normally don't hand out diet sheets but discuss how you can best put the recommendations into practice. You may like some recipes to try or need to know where to buy things ready made.

Two or three sessions with your "Personal Nutritionist" give you the opportunity to work out an individual nutrition programme plus the support to carry it out. As well as helping you to get the best out of your food I can prescribe food supplements if we feel they would help. Foods have been used as medicines for thousands of years and, more recently during this century, isolated nutrients in tablets and capsules. For example vitamin C tablets. Many common illnesses are diet related and it is acknowledged that a healthy diet helps to support and strengthen the immune system. Why not give it a try? Each session lasts about an hour and is completely confidential.

Warning: Comprehensive dietary advice service is normally available from your HIV health care centre, always discuss any alternative advice you may be seeking with your HIV consultant and dietition.

Books & Information

Nutritional Medicine - Dr Stephen Davis & Dr Alan Stewart

The Institute of Optimum Nutrition
5, Jordan Place
London SW6 1BE