Frequently Asked Questions
Below are a list of frequently asked questions regarding KatHernderRD
Why should I come see you?
Nutrition is an ever-changing, confusing subject for many people. There is conflicting information everywhere and it can be really difficult to sift through all this information to figure out what what changes you want to make in your life, this is often easier said than done.
My job is to help you find what works for you to improve not only your eating but your relationship with food. We live in a society where the dieting industry makes us feel we are never good enough both in terms of the food we eat and our bodies. I have experienced firsthand how those feelings of not being good enough can take over your life and make you focus on calories in and out in an effort to fit an unattainable ideal.
Instead of focusing on the number on the scale, as I am a weight-inclusive practitioner, I help clients include healthy behaviours and address what their barriers are to improving their eating. These barriers might include a busy schedule and thinking they don't have time for meal prep and cooking, eating out of boredom or to cope with other emotions, or sometimes those healthy choices end up giving you stomach issues.
Sometimes the issue has more to do with restriction and food rules that lead to an unhealthy relationship with food where you feel out of control around food and end up in a restriction and overeating cycle. This isn't because you aren't following your plan closely enough but rather because you're over-restricting! Our bodies' reaction to this is to increase your appetite and fixate on food- there is nothing wrong with you! You just need someone to help you navigate food and eating in a way where you aren't over-restricting and can feel good around food.
I'm also a Certified Diabetes Educator and specialize in helping people on this journey who have diabetes!
What services do you provide?
As a Registered Dietitian, my job is to help you achieve your goals through counselling and education. I use an evidence-based approach, which means that I don't encourage dieting and restriction with my clients. Why? Because the evidence says that diets don't work. I also work from a framework of Health at Every Size, which means I believe in helping clients developing healthy behaviours because that is what determines health, not the number on the scale. I am proud to call myself an anti-diet dietitian!
I know that it is one thing to know what you could do to improve your eating but another thing to implement it! That is why a big part of my job is helping you find what is getting in the way of these changes and address them. We will also discuss what is important to you and what you value to use that as a guide for working on your relationship with food.
One note- I'm not one of those practitioners who just gives you a plan and tells you to do it. We will work TOGETHER to help you work towards your goals since you are the expert in your own life and your own body. One way to think of it is that you're in the driver's seat and I'm the navigator.
What is Health at Every Size?
Health at Every Size®, also known as HAES is a way of looking at health and wellness that doesn't focus on the number on the scale. HAES supports individuals of all sizes improve their health by adopting healthy behaviours because the evidence simply isn't behind the idea that a thin body is a healthy body. Rather, the evidence shows that it is our behaviours that dictate our metabolic health and a focus on weight does not lead to an improvement in health, it usually leads to the opposite.You can learn more about Health at Every Size® here.
Sometimes, people don't want to focus on health and just want to learn not to think about food all the time. I don't believe that health is a moral obligation and if you don't want to focus on health in our work together, that's okay!
I live outside Alberta. Can I still work with you virtually?
That will actually depend on where you live. In some provinces, the dietitian must be registered in the province where you reside and in others, we don't. If you're interested in working with me but not sure if we can work together, send me an email at KatHernderRD@gmail.com. If I can't work with you, I'll try to refer you to someone who would be a good fit!
What does the CDE mean after your name?
CDE stands for Certified Diabetes Educator. This means that I have the knowledge, skill, and ability to practice effectively and safely with clients with diabetes, pre-diabetes, and gestational diabetes. This certification is gained from having at least 800 hours of experience working with clients with diabetes and passing the Canadian Diabetes Educator's Certification Board (CDECB) exam. For more information on this certification, see the Canadian Diabetes Educator Certification Board website.
Are your services covered by insurance?
This will depend on your extended healthcare provider. Many extended healthcare providers do provide coverage for allied health, which includes Registered Dietitians but be sure to check with your provider first. I currently do not directly bill to insurance companies (although I'm working on it!), therefore you will have to pay then be reimbursed by your insurance company.
If Registered Dietitian services are not covered by your insurance provider, you may talk to your employer as having this covered as often it is an option for your employer to include. See the Dietitians of Canada website for more information on the increased productivity and reduced sick time Registered Dietitians can help with.
Do you offer sliding-scale?
As I believe it's important to improve accessibility to seeing practitioners who work in a weight-inclusive paradigm, I do offer sliding scale for a limited number of clients. If you are interested in my services but have concerns about affording my services, please email me at KatHernderRD@gmail.com to see if there is an open spot for sliding scale.
