10 Things Your Nutritionist Won't Tell You

SmartMoney takes a look at how nutritionists simultaneously trim your fat -- and fatten their wallets. Click through our gallery to see 10 things your nutritionist won't tell you.

1. "Don't let my title fool you."
With the economy in distress and medical expenses edging higher, more people are turning to nutritionists for help with everything from making healthy meals for less to shedding pounds and treating diabetes. But the industry was already growing before the recession hit: The American Society for Nutrition, an industry group, says its membership has risen 40 percent over the past eight years. Clients seeking help from a nutritionist typically pay $50 to $350 a visit, scheduled perhaps once a week for someone with type 2 diabetes, or two to three visits total to shed 10 pounds.

2. "Take your vitamins with a spoonful of skepticism."
Americans are certainly taking their vitamins these days. In fact, sales of vitamin and mineral supplements reached $10 billion as of 2008, according to the Nutrition Business Journal. But are they worth it? Many nutritionists strongly promote them, says Bonnie Taub-Dix, a nutritionist in New York City, "but they can be very expensive and very unnecessary." For most people, vitamins are consumed to compensate for deficiencies in their diet.

3. "I can't cure your stress eating..."
As concern over portfolios and the job market continue, more of us are turning to food and drink for solace. When people are stressed, they secrete the hormone cortisol, which sparks a craving for sweets and other comfort foods. And according to studies using mice, an increase in cortisol creates more and bigger fat cells, leading researchers to believe that when people feel stress, they're more vulnerable to gaining weight. Cheryl Forberg, nutritionist for NBC reality series The Biggest Loser, estimates that 70 percent of her client base struggle with emotional eating.

4. "...but the obesity epidemic is sure fattening my wallet."
Almost two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last year alone, the weight of the average adult increased in 37 states, says health advocacy nonprofit Trust for America's Health. And nutritionists are profiting: "About 95 percent of my clients come to me because they're overweight," says Forberg.

5. "I'm just as confused about dietary advice as you are."
With all the varying information out there on nutrition‹body-mass index, glycemic index, food pyramid and so forth‹many consumers don't know where to begin on the path to healthy eating. In fact, 41 percent of those surveyed said they don't do more to achieve a balanced diet because they don't understand the information, according to a 2008 ADA study. Take the "Dietary Guidelines for Americans," put out by the U.S. government, which suggests eating a host of nutrient-dense foods from the basic food groups.

6. "Our 'miracle' food may come with a few health risks."
Over the past few years, soy protein has been heavily marketed by soy growers and distributors as a "miracle" food, prompting Americans to stock up on soy milk, soy energy bars, veggie burgers and other foods rich in soy. But some experts have recently suggested that soy can potentially be harmful to the thyroid and the reproductive and immune systems. "People are under the impression that soy is really healthy, but excess soy has major health risks," warns Kaayla Daniel, nutritionist and author of The Whole Soy Story.

7. "This would be a lot easier if you knew how to cook."
According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Americans eat an average of 3,770 calories a day‹the highest in the world. But they're spending only $7 a day on food, which suggests the bulk of what they're consuming is fast food and processed foods, which tend to be inexpensive. When it comes to cooking healthier meals with raw ingredients at home, says Nestle, people often don't have a clue. That's where services like grocery-store tours and cooking-preparation courses come in.

8. "This won't be quick or cheap."
Looking for a quick fix for your unhealthy diet? Seeing a nutritionist might be a recipe for disappointment. Any reputable nutritionist knows that a real effort is required on both sides of the relationship. "People in our health care system are used to walking into a doctor's office and leaving with a prescription to treat their symptoms," says Aram. But when working with a nutritionist, clients should know that they're going to have to work hard if they expect to see any lasting results.

9. "If you don't exercise, all our talk is pointless."
It's no secret that physical inactivity is a major flaw in many Americans' lifestyle. A recent survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that one-third of adults fail to meet the U.S. Health and Human Services Department's recommended 150 minutes of moderate activity per week. "No amount of nutritional counseling can will away calories without the help of exercise," says Pamela Peeke, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Maryland at Baltimore.

10. "Some guilty pleasures are actually good for you."
Fortunately, maintaining a healthy diet isn't about shunning every crème brûlée or chocolate truffle that meets your eye. There are some scrumptious treats that do, indeed, bring nutritional value to the table. Consider this your rule of thumb: Don't let your sweets exceed 10 percent of your calories per day, says Tallmadge. In terms of chocolate, look for bars that contain 70 percent or more cacao, says Aram. You'll find a selection at places like Whole Foods or Trader Joe's; they're often marked "true organic chocolate."

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