Issue 5: How do I as a Clinician Screen for Food Issues For Clients When I’m Not the RD?

Questions to Ask and When to Refer to a Dietitian

Hello!

Welcome back to another issue of our therapist & allied professional newsletter! This month we’re diving into tips for practitioners on how to explore food with clients and when it might be a concern.

🎥 Short Watch: What Clinicians Should Ask Clients About Food

We love working collaboratively with psychologists, counsellors, physicians, OTs, PTs, and more. The team approach has always been our philosophy of care, and it has served us and our clients well over the years.

One of the best aspects of this approach is that we often catch small pieces of information in our sessions that can inform another team member’s care, and vice versa.

For example, when we explore a client’s relationship with food, we often learn more about how they view their body, the messages they’ve been hearing at home, and how their relationships with partners and friends may be influencing their food choices.

In the last few months, several clinicians have asked us two key questions:

1. ❓ What are good questions to ask about food? (Especially if the client hasn’t mentioned any concerns)
2. ❓When is it a problem?

1. Questions to Ask About Food

How Often Are They Eating

• Are they eating several times over the course of the day?
  Skipping meals is increasingly common. From school-aged individuals skipping breakfast and lunch to busy adults skipping meals due to lack of time or preparation. This can impact physical health as well as mental health, mood, emotion regulation, and concentration.
• Are they eating before your sessions? Therapy is mentally demanding, and clients are likely to get more out of sessions if they’re working with a fed brain and body.

Are There Any Foods They Avoid?

• Are there any foods they don’t eat?
  This helps explore food rules that may affect overall nutrition and health. Allergies are fine, of course, but if someone avoids certain foods unnecessarily, it’s worth exploring why.
• Three types of restriction to watch for:
  • Food Type
  • Food volume or amount
  • Timing of food

    Food rules aren’t just about reducing intake. Constantly commenting (internally or externally) on lack of control or overconsumption can also signal restrictive patterns.

Are There Situations That Make Eating Hard?

• Are there people or situations that make it difficult to eat?
• Do they feel shame or worry about others’ perceptions of their eating?
• Do they avoid or seek out social situations that involve food, and why?

2. When Is It a Problem?

Food is likely an issue when it’s getting in the way of living fully. Examples:

• Avoiding social engagements due to worries about food
• Stress over meal planning or feeding children
• Constant dieting or feeling the need to diet
• Thoughts about food, meal planning, or weight taking up a significant portion of daily cognitive space

3. 💬 Quick Questions to Ask Yourself and Clients

1. How often do you typically eat?
2. Are there any foods you avoid?
3. Are there food situations that feel hard to manage?

And most importantly… why? Approach these questions with curiosity. It can uncover why clients feel low energy, struggle with tasks between sessions, or open bigger conversations about food and body image.

How to Make a Referral

If you notice a client who may benefit from additional support around food, nutrition, or eating patterns, referring to a Registered Dietitian can be an important next step.

Here’s a simple approach:

1. Observe and Ask: Use the questions outlined above to understand the client’s habits, challenges, and concerns.
2. Discuss With Your Client: Frame the referral as a supportive resource. For example:
   “I hear that managing food and energy has been stressful for you. Would it be helpful to bring in a dietitian as part of your support team? Would you like me to connect you with one?”
3. Connect With Us: If you’re unsure or want to discuss a client before referring, you can reach out directly to our team below. We’re happy to provide guidance or coordinate care:
   Fax: +1 587-905-9032
   Phone: 403-301-4106
   Email: info@healthstandnutrition.com
4. Clients can also self-refer at https://www.healthstandnutrition.com/contact-us/
5. Follow Up: After the referral, check in with your client to see how the collaboration is supporting their progress and adjust your care as needed.

Thank you for joining us for this issue of Nutrition for Mental Health. We always value your perspective. Feel free to reply with any thoughts, questions, or experiences you’d like to share

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And if you’d like to collaborate and partner up with us a referral partner, contact us here: https://www.healthstandnutrition.com/contact-us/