Get started with nutrition counseling using these 4 simple motivational interviewing questions to set clear health goals that work.
Why learn better ways to do Nutrition Counseling
One of the hardest things to do in nutrition counseling is remembering that what we think is important is less important than what our clients think.
We might be the nutrition professional in the room but what we know matter’s less than what our client wants to know. If we don’t give our unsolicited opinions a back seat to what our clients are ready to do, we’re doing them a huge disservice.
Nutrition counseling and motivational interviewing
It can take a while to get really comfortable with doing nutrition counseling. Motivational interviewing is one of the techniques that can help you get really good at nutrition counseling, faster.
A big part of motivational interviewing incudes getting really good at asking questions and listening well. Having a few go-to questions like these makes sure you’ll still have impactful conversations with your clients, right from the beginning.
When we give our clients a chance to tell us what’s most important to them, we give them permission to set the pace of their progress. We become the guide rather than the teacher.
Why use these questions
These 4 motivational interviewing for nutrition counseling will take a lot of the pressure of knowing what to say as a new dietitian.
And while you’re getting a handle on the ins and outs of motivational interviewing and listening techniques that can make a dietitian really effective, you’ll have a few fall back questions that you’ll be able to use over and over.
4 nutrition counseling questions that always work
These questions form a loose order and are designed to be used one after the other. However, because nutrition counseling is so personal, flexibility becomes one of your biggest assets when figuring out where to start.
If you decide not to go down the list, choose the question you start with based on what you already know (or don’t know) about your client.
So let’s get to them:
Want a copy of this list? Download the FREE PDF HERE.
#1: What part of your health makes you most concerned?
How your patient sees their health and what’s most important to them, might be very different from what you see.
Instead of assuming that they have the same view of their health that you do, ask them what they’re worried about. Understanding what your patient considers their biggest challenge is the first step to helping them manage their nutritional health effectively. Because once you know this, you can give them answers they’re really invested in hearing.
For patients with MNT concerns:
Check out The Essentials: Therapeutic Diet bundle and Healthy Eating Bundle for handouts to get these conversations started.
For clients looking for a diet-free approach to health:
Check out the handouts on Intuitive Eating to support those questions.
#2: Have you ever tried to change that part of your health?
Talk with you patient about what they’ve tried in the past. Get details about what they think has worked well, and what hasn’t worked as well.
If they’ve done something they felt good about, talk about why they stopped doing that thing. Ask if they’ve ever felt like they’ve failed at that change, and how long they stuck with the change before considering it a failure.
With some clear information about how successful they’ve felt at making changes in the past, you’ll get some good insight into their confidence at making new changes.
#3: If you could change one thing, what would it be?
This question does 2 things. First, it gives you some insight to your patient’s readiness. The way they answer this question will help you know how much work they’re ready to do to improve their health.
Second, it gives you a start point by letting your patient guide the conversation.
#4: How do you feel about this goal?
Once you’ve talked to your client, it’s time to pick a single goal to work on. You want something that’s directly related to whatever they want to change. You also want that goal to be something your client believes they can be successful at accomplishing.
As the dietitian, you might lead here with suggestions that can help them improve their health. However, it’s up to your patient to confirm whether they think that goal is something they want to work on. Don’t skip this second step. Make sure you get buy in from your client before assuming they’re on board. If they’re not, it’s time to change the goal.
And that’s it!
As a dietitian new to talking to clients, the best place to start will always be with questions. Use these 4 nutrition counseling questions whenever you need help getting the conversation started. With them, you’ll always be sure you’re having a meaningful conversation with your clients.
Like this list? Download everything in the FREE PDF HERE.
Looking for even more nutrition counseling? Sign up for the Nutrition Quick Chats course covering everything you need to know about motivational interviewing in a clinical nutrition setting.
Sign up for Nutrition Quick Chats HERE.
Want even more to help in clinical?
Check out The Nutrition Cheat Sheets Shop for all the nutrition education and clinical resources that will make your life easier.
