You’ve tried dieting on your own, and it didn’t work. In fact, you’ve tried so many diets you could recited their labels by heart. A logical next step for you might be to consult a nutritionist or a dietician. This could be just the answer to get you off the binge dieting rollercoaster, but you’ve got to know how to shop for a nutritionist who can help you and not plunge you deeper into diet despair.

The first step is to take a long look at your dieting history and what you’ve tried, what worked, how long the good effects lasted and why it has ultimately failed, what flopped instantly and where it is you’d like to end up – 20 pounds lighter, with lower cholesterol or lower blood pressure. Once you’ve got a good handle on your history and your desired future, you need to start talking and find a registered dietician who is more interested in tailoring a plan to your lifestyle than to simply prescribing a meal plan or a routine that is generic – those don’t work any better than all the other failed attempts have.

Your nutritionist should be asking how often you eat out, whether or not you cook, what foods you do and do not like. Anything that she doesn’t ask, you should let her know. She should then be willing to prescribe a plan that fits your lifestyle – like offering to look at the menus of your most frequented restaurants or your favorite takeout places so you can make healthier choices. If you are willing to make lifestyle changes, that’s great, but you shouldn’t take on a total revamp of your world. Be realistic and make sure the dietician is laying out realistic expectations like slow and steady weight loss.

It is also important to choose a nutritionist that is near your home or work. According to recent studies on the most effective and successful nutritionist/client relationships and results, you will find yourself in your dietician’s office up to three times a week as you work toward your goal. Because these appointments can become very expensive, ask up front what kind of support you can expect in addition to office visits such as emails and phone calls or weekly newsletters with helpful hints and tips, especially during the holiday season.

Although it may take more than a few phone calls to find the right nutritionist for you, it is a good idea to conduct a phone interview before you make an appointment. This will help you to continue your search when you feel that the person you’re speaking to isn’t the right fit. If you’ve been to a few offices and still feel like you’re not getting everything you want, your frustration and the fact that you’re already sitting there in front of him may cause you to compromise your expectations and ultimately your results.

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