Would you be confused, too? Let’s clear up the mixed messaging.
As I scroll through the internet, I see comments like:
“Doctors just push pills. They don’t help us get healthier with real advice like nutrition.”
“Doctors don’t know anything about nutrition.”
And the comments go on and on.
Is it true that there’s been a gap in nutrition training in medical schools? Absolutely. But that’s changing. More and more doctors are prescribing lifestyle-first approaches, and the momentum is growing. Because when it comes to managing chronic disease, it’s not about using one tool — it’s about combining the right ones: nutrition, behavior change, exercise, and, when needed, medications.
This brings me to why I’m confused.
Six months ago, I launched my Nutrition Training Program for healthcare professionals, and it was a huge success, with participants earning 48 CME credits. But when I advertised the program, I kept seeing the same response:
“Why not just refer to the real experts — the registered dietitians?”
Here’s the thing. I completely agree that dietitians are an essential part of the team. But we can’t stop there. Many patients only get access to a dietitian for six insurance-covered visits. That’s not enough for chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, or metabolic disease. Long-term management requires us, as providers, to understand nutrition as it relates to metabolic disease rehab and prevention.
In my full-time coaching practice, we prioritize:
Nutrition
Exercise
Behavioral Change
If medications are necessary, we incorporate them, too. But nutrition isn’t an afterthought — it’s foundational. That’s why doctors need practical nutrition training that allows them to guide patients beyond referrals and fill in the gaps between limited dietitian visits.
So yes, the messaging doctors receive is mixed: on one hand, we’re criticized for “pushing pills,” and on the other, we’re told to hand off all nutrition responsibilities to someone else. But here’s what I know for sure: the more we help optimize a patient’s nutrition strategy as part of an integrated care plan, the more successful they will be.
That’s why my Nutrition Training Program is opening for enrollment on February 16. To kick off enrollment, I’m hosting a live webinar on February 16 at 7 PM ET where I’ll teach you my 5-Minute Nutrition Consult Strategy — a simple, effective framework with tools your patients can start using immediately.
[Register for the webinar here] >>
I’m passionate about helping reshape the future of healthcare through better nutrition strategies, and I’d love for you to join me. Let’s take this step together toward comprehensive, long-term care for our patients.
Hope to see you there!
Ali
P.S. If you want to see what my 48-CME Nutrition Training Program entails, you can get all the details HERE.