Treating patients individually key to be good dietician, says professional

By Merve Berker and Dilan Pamuk

ANKARA (AA) – A good dietician does not give a cookie-cutter diet to patients but treats each one individually according to the patient's wants, needs and likes, said a professional.

Selma Ozturk, 44, has been in the profession for 21 years and told Anadolu Agency that she has seen an increase in the number of her patients during the coronavirus pandemic, mostly because of weight changes as people stayed at home due to lockdowns.

“To keep my patients motivated during this whole process was an important factor for me to achieve as a dietitian. I’ve been constantly in touch with them, calling, messaging or even video-conferencing with them to follow how they progress on their diet,” said Ozturk.

She works hand-in-hand with her patients to overcome negative psychological effects of the pandemic and get successful outcomes in weight loss or gain.

- 'Being healthy does not just mean protection from viruses'

Ozturk said her patients mostly have complained about anxiety about the future and not caring about anything.

“The most important advice that I‘ve given to my patients was that they have to push themselves to think positively, that life is not a straight line as it has its ups and downs. And that they also have to protect both their physical and psychological health to survive in the time of the pandemic,” she said. “Being healthy does not just mean protection from viruses but keeping the body and mind in a good mood.”

She had advice on how to build up one’s immune system.

“Fruits and vegetables come first when we think of strengthening our immune system as they are rich in both antioxidants and vitamins,” said Ozturk. “We can count on yellow and orange vegetables and fruits, purple and red fruits, vegetables with dark green leaves, and also root vegetables like radish and celery.”

“Especially consuming yogurt that we ferment at home is of great importance in terms of antiviral properties,” she said.

“We should also consume legumes two times a week, add vinegar to our salads for its antiviral properties, drink sage tea or green tea for it is a natural antioxidant,” said Ozturk.

“Consuming the cure of ginger, honey and lemon, adding thyme in our food and drinking thyme tea also significantly provide a stronger immune system.”

- What puts a dietitian ahead of others

Ozturk also had tips on how to be a good dietitian.

"Everyone has special needs and desires. They have their own taste in food or drinks. So, the first step toward being a successful dietitian is acknowledging their differences," said Ozturk.

“The second step is not treating every patient the same way,” she said. “A good dietitian should always try to respond to patients in accordance with what they want, need and like, without giving everyone on the same diet.”

“Preparing a patient-focused diet and updating it periodically to meet the need of patients both make them feel special and keep them motivated and increases your effectiveness and success throughout the whole process, while also putting you ahead of your colleagues,” she said.