What Does a Registered Dietitian Do For You?

What Does a Registered Dietitian Do For You?

Dec 14, 2021Ashley Danielson, RDN, LD

Are you one to say, “No way” to brown rice, but “Okay” to white rice? Do you prefer collard greens over broccoli? Do you think of chicken breast when you hear the word diet? If you said yes to any of these questions, you are not alone. A nutritious plate does not have to be one-size fits all. You can eat foods that you love and still achieve health goals. After all, it is not all about what you eat.

A Registered Dietitian Provides Support with Accountability

Most of us know the foods that are healthier options, but why don’t we always chose them? Why do we sometimes overeat? Why do we do the things we do? We are humans, and we aren’t perfect. Achieving a health goal is a lot about changing your behavior, having accountability and guidance along the way. What changes do you need to make to improve your health? Why do you want to make those changes? These are important questions to ask yourself before you begin your journey.

Making balanced food choices doesn’t have to mean that you follow a rigid or strict eating pattern. In fact, it can be individualized to you – there’s room to personalize your plate while fueling for success, customizing your favorite flavors, textures, colors and more.

A Registered Dietitian Provides You with Healthy Options

You can focus on creating a balanced plate by including all the food groups on your plate. The recipe below for Greek Chicken Couscous Salad offers a great example of this variety – a mix of vegetables from the salad greens and onions, fruit from the cucumbers and tomatoes, healthy fat from the Kalamata olives, protein from the chicken, and a grain from the couscous. It all creates balance, that is tasty and will leave you fueled for success. It also includes a mix of flavors, textures and colors – which are all three important components of feeling satisfied and enjoying eating, too.

How do you bring in balance? How do you include all food groups on your plate but also give yourself some grace and know that it won’t be perfect each and every day? Let us know in the comments, and check out the recipe for your next meal planning session.

Greek Chicken Couscous Salad

Serves 4

All you need:

½ (14-oz.) pkg Hy-Vee Israeli couscous (1 1/3 cup)         

1 (12-oz.) bag kale salad greens blend   

3 tbsp Primal Kitchen Greek Vinaigrette & Marinade

2 small tomatoes, cut into wedges        

1 cup thinly sliced seedless cucumber   

1 cup Hy-Vee whole Greek Kalamata pitted olives         

12 oz. Hy-Vee boneless rotisserie chicken breast, sliced 

Red onion, sliced, for garnish    

Soiree traditional feta cheese, crumbled, for garnish     

Simply Organic black pepper, for serving

All you do:

  1. Bring 2 cups water to boiling in a saucepan. Add couscous. Cook over medium-low heat for 8 minutes or until tender. Drain and cool slightly.
  2. Toss kale salad blend with 3 tablespoons vinaigrette. Divide kale blend, tomatoes, cucumber and olives among four serving plates. Add couscous and chicken. Garnish with red onion and/or feta cheese, if desired. Sprinkle with pepper and serve with additional vinaigrette. Serve warm or chilled.

Are you looking for additional help with nutrition and your lifestyle? Allow our Hy-Vee Dietitian team to guide you along the way. Take advantage of our programs to gain accountability and knowledge through Healthie, our virtual nutrition service platform. Meet with a Dietitian from the comfort of your own home as we bring the grocery store to you. To get started, or as more questions you have more questions, find your Hy-Vee Dietitian team here.

*The blog articles, recipes and recommendations found on this site are not intended as medical advice and should not replace consulting with your medical provider. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.

 

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