Have you ever been to see a *Dietitian before for your IBS? Jack did. He was told the best person to see for his IBS was a Dietitian because they’re registered, and they tailor their advice to you based on the scientific evidence. His doctor even recommended seeing one. Awesome.

But the next thing you know, he’s cussing the Dietitian and saying they’re useless. And he’s still struggling with IBS symptoms.

What went wrong?

Why didn’t Jack get the results he was looking for even though he went to a Dietitian?

Well, here are 6 reasons why seeing a Dietitian doesn't work (and it may be some tough love for you if you can relate to any of this!):

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Well, deep down perhaps Jack didn’t really want help. What?! Yeah, I know it sounds crazy, but hear me out...

It could be that the prospect of change can seem intimidating and difficult.

The unknown can make us fearful, making us prefer the familiarity of our comfort zones (even though our IBS can be playing havoc so not exactly comfortable, but at least it's familiar). And it's way easier to stay the same than make a change (despite not liking our current situation).

Perhaps you're hesitant about making changes, concerned about what's involved, or apprehensive about the potential outcome from those changes?

Or maybe you're someone who enjoys the attention and sympathy 😳 because, as they say "misery loves company."

The phrase "misery loves company" means that when people are unhappy or going through difficult times, they tend to seek the company of others who are also going through similar experiences. It doesn't always mean they want to make others feel bad or share their unhappiness. Sometimes, understandably they just want to find comfort and support from people who understand what they're going through.

Being around others who are facing similar challenges can help you feel like you belong and that your feelings are valid and understood.

And when you're surrounded by people in the same boat as you, it can seem difficult or daunting for you to jump ship.

You might also feel guilty about leaving them behind, even though staying with them will hold you back. Because we're all influenced by the people (and things) we surround ourselves with. And if the people in that Facebook group, or some other social group aren't getting better, aren't growing, aren't taking REAL action but constantly complaining, it'll hinder your own growth.

So it can feel way easier to stay within a familiar group where you can all share your hardships together.

Or maybe you don't really want help because feel you can tackle your IBS all by yourself.

Whatever the reason, here's the thing, we all need a little help sometimes. And that's ok.

And admitting that you need help can take courage and it's the first step towards making positive changes. But obviously recognising you need help and going out getting it are two different things!

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Simply put, relying on a single session won't cut it. While it's a good starting point, it can't give you everything you need.

Imagine trying to squeeze a car into a suitcase - it's just not going to work. Not only would it be overwhelming and confusing, but you'd also forget important information. Also, with just one session, you won't receive any ongoing support or follow-up.

So if you truly want to benefit from working with a Dietitian, it's crucial to allow yourself the opportunity to get their support and guidance throughout your journey and commit to more than just one, or two sessions.

Without this ongoing support, it becomes difficult to stay on track and overcome obstacles that crop up along the way, because they always do. You'll have questions that need answers. Making any necessary adjustments to your plan is also challenging without the Dietitian's expertise, but obviously you need to make the correct adjustments or you'll make your situation worse.

All of these difficulties can knock your confidence, motivation, and overall progress.

And let's face it, who wouldn't benefit from having someone in their corner when tackling a challenge like IBS?

So if you're genuinely determined to feel better, it's crucial to commit to multiple sessions with a Dietitian. And give yourself the best chance to succeed by leveraging their expertise and ongoing support.

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As harsh as this may sound, perhaps you aren’t dedicated to the plan?

Commitment, being dedicated and staying focused on the one plan increases your chances of success with anything.

It's tempting to mix and match the plan with your own ideas, and strategies from other people but this will jeopardise your success.

People often make the mistake of trying to piece together tips and hints from various sources, like trying to build a puzzle with pieces from different sets. Unfortunately, this approach results in a jumbled, chaotic mess of ideas or tactics that are incompatible or contradictory, leading to extra frustration and confusion, and ultimately hinders your progress.

And, as well as commitment, consistency is also key.

It's important to avoid dipping in and out of your plan depending on your motivation levels and how challenging things get.

If you're truly dedicated to achieving your goals, make a solid commitment to your plan and stick with it consistently.

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Maybe you don't want to do as they've recommended because you feel you know better? Or you didn't understand what what you're meant to do? Or there's challenges or barriers in your way like maybe your work pattern has changed, and this affects your eating habits and what types of foods you have access to.

Or maybe there's some other reason, but if you don’t follow the plan, and apply it as they’ve said, especially if there’s a sequence that it's got to be completed in, then like making a cake if you muddle up the order of what to do and when, then you’re going to end up with a right mess! And you definitely won't see the results you're hoping for.

So, this is why a tailored plan is best.

​And if something crops up along the way, or you're stuck or you've got questions or whatever, and any of this affects your ability to follow through with the plan, then reach out to your Dietitian. They'll be happy to help you with these so you can keep on track.
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Next up, reason number 5 why seeing a Dietitian doesn’t work for your IBS is you quit when you don’t see immediate results.

Making, and sustaining changes can be difficult, especially when you don’t see immediate results for your efforts.

How things are nowadays, social media, the internet, and all the technology we have which is ever-growing and improving, doesn’t help matters because it’s made us so used to getting things quick.

We want things now. Like yesterday.

But we need to be patient and give our body time.

If we’re getting worked up and frustrated, and hammering ourselves about why hasn’t this worked yet, then this affects our mental state. And in turn, this could impact our symptoms too... which then defeats the object!

So, be patient and give your body time to adjust to the changes.

If you're not completely open and honest with your dietitian about your health and IBS, and I know it can be embarrassing to talk about all this, how can the dietitian best help you?

They need to know things like your medical history, your eating habits, your lifestyle, otherwise their recommendations won't be tailored to your specific needs.

It'll be like going to a tailor to get a suit made but breathing in the whole time and trying to flex your muscles while they're measuring you! - That isn't going to be a good or comfortable fit.

So be open with your Dietitian because by sharing all the relevant information, they can create a personalised plan that works for you and your situation.

This will increase your chances of success plus it'll make it easier for you to stick to the plan. So it'll be a win-win!

Your Dietitian is there to support you, not judge you, so don't be afraid to be honest about what's really going on.

❗️ Bear in mind they can't best help you if you won't help yourself, by not being open and honest with them.

A Dietitian can help you, but they can’t do everything for you. So your success, or the lack of it depends on you.

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*Dietitian: What is a Dietitian and why would you see one?

Because some people have never heard of us Dietitians, let alone know how to spell the word!

And some people think Dietitians and nutritionists are basically interchangeable terms, well, they're not. In the UK, the title 'Dietitian' is protected by law, unlike nutritionist say, where literally anyone can call themselves a nutritionist 😲

Dietitians are regulated health professionals who can assess, diagnose and treat dietary and nutritional problems at an individual and wider public health level.

And Dietitians use up-to-date scientific research to translate into practical guidance to help people to make appropriate food and lifestyle choices. You can see a Dietitian for various reasons, anything from healthy eating habits, to needing a special diet say for managing nutrition-related health conditions.

Some Dietitians are generalists, while others specialise in a certain area, just like for example you have a cardiologist who specialises in the heart, and you wouldn't see them for your broken leg! But like any profession, not all Dietitians aren’t created equal because you get some that are ok and some that are ninjas!

And by the way, it's important to note that you can't gauge someone's expertise based on the size of their social followers. You need to check the person is appropriately qualified first before following their advice or tips.

Having a huge social following doesn't prove a person is an expert, and I'm not just talking about Dietitians here - this goes for any area, not just health professionals...

Just because someone is an influencer doesn't automatically mean they're an expert, or even competent, so be careful who you take advice from even if they've got a big following. - And this highlights the issue of authority bias.

Also, while I'm on this topic - just because someone has IBS themselves also DOES NOT make them an expert!

Be savvy who you go to for help! Stay safe.

I've got more info about what to be aware of and how to tackle your IBS here.

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