What Working With a Dietitian at Northern Nutrition Group Is Actually Like
Searching for a nutrition expert can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve tried plans, programs, or providers in the past that didn’t quite fit your expectations. At Northern Nutrition Group, our approach is different. We focus on practical, sustainable nutrition support that works with your life, not against it.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s actually like to work with a registered dietitian, and whether nutrition counseling is worth it, this post will walk you through exactly what to expect.
Do I Really Need a Dietitian or Nutrition Counseling?
Many people come to us feeling like they should be able to figure nutrition out on their own. After all, there’s no shortage of advice online. But knowing nutrition information isn’t the same as knowing how to apply it consistently in real life.
Working with a registered dietitian means:
Personalized guidance based on your health history, labs, preferences, and lifestyle
Support beyond one-size-fits-all advice
A partner who helps you problem-solve barriers like time, stress, budget, injuries, or medical concerns
Nutrition counseling isn’t a space where you will be told what to eat, it's a space to learn how to eat and what works for you.
What Makes Nutrition Counseling at Northern Nutrition Group Different
At Northern Nutrition Group, our work is grounded in a weight-inclusive, respectful, client-centered and evidence-based approach.
We recognize that many factors influence health and weight beyond food and movement alone. We are also deeply aware of the well-documented harms of weight stigma and discrimination, and the impact these experiences can have on both physical and mental health.
Because of this, our dietitians practice from a place that supports autonomy, trust and collaboration. That means:
No rigid meal plans or one-size fits-all food rules
No food shaming or fear-based messaging
No assumptions about bodies, health, or goals
Instead, we focus on:
Evidence-based nutrition education
Supporting sustainable behavior change driven by your internal motivations
Honoring your lived experience, values, and priorities
We work with clients from all backgrounds, including but not limited to gender, race, age, socioeconomic status, religious beliefs, sexuality, and education level. We strive to provide culturally competent care that respects food traditions and individuals needs.
Our dietitians work with clients in-person in Bozeman and across Montana, Oregon, and California via telehealth, making nutrition support more accessible.
What the First Nutrition Appointment With a Dietitian Is Like
Your initial nutrition appointment is about getting to know you as a whole person, not handing you a list of rules or expectations.
During your first session, your dietitian will:
Review your medical history, labs, and current concerns
Ask about your relationship with food and past experiences
Explore your schedule, stress levels, movement, and sleep
Identify what feels hardest about nutrition right now
Together, you’ll decide on goals that feel realistic, respectful and aligned with your values that do not feel overwhelming.
Ongoing Nutrition Counseling: What We Actually Work On With Clients
Follow-up sessions are where sustainable change takes shape, with support that adapts as your life and needs evolve. Depending on your needs, we may work on:
Blood sugar or cholesterol support without restrictive dieting
Meal ideas that fit your workday and energy level
Eating consistently without tracking or counting
Navigating emotional eating or food guilt
Supporting health during injury, recovery, or burnout
Your plan evolves as your life does. There’s no expectation of perfection.
Is Nutrition Counseling Covered by Insurance?
Northern Nutrition Group works with many insurance plans, and coverage for nutrition counseling is more common than most people realize. To find the most accurate insurance information, call the customer service number on your insurance card and ask about your Medical Nutrition Therapy benefits. Visit our Benefit Determination Guide for more information.
What to Expect From Working With a Dietitian At Northern Nutrition Group
If you decide to work with a dietitian at Northern Nutrition Group, our goal is for you to feel informed, respected, and supported from the start.
Nutrition counseling with our team is collaborative and educational. We focus on helping you better understand your body, your health concerns, and how food fits into your life, without pressure to change everything at once.
Some clients work with us short-term to address a specific concern, while others choose ongoing support as their needs evolve. There is no “right” timeline and no expectation of perfection.
Whether you move forward now or simply use this information to better understand what dietitians do, we believe people deserve clear, compassionate, and accessible nutrition care.
Written by Jessy Griffel, RD, LN, CNSC
Jessy specializes in: Oncology - supporting individuals through cancer treatment, remission, malnutrition, food aversions, focused nutrition care and enteral nutrition support therapy (tube feeding support) and preventive strategies. Athletes/outdoor enthusiast, plant-based (vegetarian/vegan) diets, nutritional deficiencies and abnormal lab values, and weight concerns.