How Do You Handle Client Resistance to a Dietary Plan?
Dealing with client resistance is a common challenge in the field of nutrition, so we sought the wisdom of Registered Dietitians and other nutrition experts to share their strategies and breakthrough moments. From supporting self-driven change to breaking goals into achievable steps, discover the five key insights provided by these professionals on navigating dietary reluctance.
- Support Clients' Self-Driven Change
- Provide Correct Information for Choice
- Introduce Healthful Foods Positively
- Celebrate Small Dietary Victories
- Break Goals into Achievable Steps
Support Clients' Self-Driven Change
Good counseling and education skills can help a client eventually work through ambivalence and low motivation or self-efficacy. It is not our responsibility to "make" a client ready for change; they need to get there on their own. We, as professionals, can partner with them and support them on this journey using various skills and techniques related to counseling, listening, and educating. When a client has an "aha" moment from their own change in mindset or effort, it is far more powerful than merely telling them what they could or should do.
Provide Correct Information for Choice
It is up to my client whether they want to change their eating pattern or not. It is not my job to convince anyone to eat a certain way. I can present the risks and benefits of their dietary choices. Ultimately, the choice and effort are theirs.
Often, 'breakthrough moments' occur when a client comes to me with questions or misinformation about a dietary pattern, and I can give them the correct information. They can then make the best decision for themselves. I am here to help when someone wants to change.
Introduce Healthful Foods Positively
I like to approach shifts in dietary behavior from a more positive angle. Instead of shaming people for their dietary habits, I like to start by asking them to share their favorite food traditions and meals, perhaps foods that their parents or grandparents prepared for them. Then I start talking about the healthful aspects of these foods. Sometimes it's just a matter of adding some more healthful items within those patterns. For example, if I'm working on a heart-healthy eating pattern, I talk about adding more pulses, whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds to the way they are eating. When you add healthful options, it automatically crowds out the less healthful options.
Celebrate Small Dietary Victories
Patience and understanding are crucial when working with resistant clients. I once had a client who was very attached to their high-sugar snacks and reluctant to make dietary changes. Instead of pushing too hard, I focused on small, incremental adjustments, starting by swapping one sugary snack with a healthier alternative they enjoyed. Gradually, they began to notice improvements in their energy levels and mood, which led to a breakthrough moment where they willingly embraced more significant changes. By respecting their pace and celebrating small victories, we successfully achieved a sustainable shift toward healthier habits.
Break Goals into Achievable Steps
As a Registered Dietitian, my role goes beyond just 'education.' I help my clients build confidence and motivation to achieve their goals. When I have a client who is either resistant to change or having difficulty making a change, I first explore the reasons why. Once I understand the underlying cause, it's easier to suggest interventions to get past that. It is also important to acknowledge their feelings and emotions, as this can all be overwhelming. My best recommendation is always to take my client's overall goal and break it down into smaller, more achievable ones.
For a client who wanted to achieve a 50-pound weight loss and was feeling defeated, we looked at her goal as a whole and broke it down into smaller achievable ones. First, I recommended that they keep a journal of their journey so they could document all their successes. Rather than look at the end number, we set a goal of weight loss between 1-3 lbs. per week. Regarding food, we set a goal for only drinking calorie-free beverages and drinking more water (and infusing it with fruit and/or herbs). As my client met her goals, they turned into habits, and her motivation grew to move on to the next goals.
