Today is Registered Dietitian Day! So, happy RD day to all the dietitians out there…you all deserve a day of recognition.
I was thinking about my own journey and what made me get into the nutrition field. I was an English major in college and as many of you know, nutrition courses are very science-heavy. After college graduation, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do next. I knew I liked being a student so some kind of graduate school was definitely an option. I also knew I liked health and wellness and of course, helping people. Fast forward almost 9 years of science prerequisite and master’s classes, a dietetic, clinical internship, counseling hundreds of patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney failure, GI disorders…so much for not really being a science person!
Let’s just say it’s a long road to become a Dietitian and sometimes I forget that and don’t give myself enough credit. After working at an outpatient clinic for 3 years, I recently started my own business. My mom is a successful entrepreneur and always instilled that drive in my sister and me. It definitely wasn’t an easy decision to leave a job I had enjoyed for 3 years to take a huge risk (I’m not exactly the biggest risk taker). It was especially difficult to have to say goodbye to all the wonderful patients I had seen on a consistent basis for 3 years, whether just at the clinic in passing or for nutrition counseling. One woman said to me, “I love you and I will miss you, but I’m happy for you!” This broke my heart and for the first time made me really see the impact I had and the value of my work in general.
Sometimes patients don’t like to be told to avoid certain foods, to eat more fruits and vegetables, to exercise more often, to drink 8 cups of water per day and so on. Sometimes they don’t listen. Sometimes they do. Sometimes they return for a follow-up appointment. Sometimes they don’t. Sometimes patients just need a safe space to vent. Not about food or exercise guidelines, but about real life stuff. I’m glad I’ve created an environment where patients feel comfortable to communicate openly and to be themselves.
It makes all the years of hard work worth it.
xo, Juliana