3 QUESTIONS TO ASK THE DOCTOR AT YOUR FIRST NUTRITION CONSULTATION

💬 Going for a nutrition consultation: what should you prepare to make your visit truly effective?
Many people come to a nutrition consultation with a very familiar question: "What should I eat, and what should I avoid?" But a suitable nutrition plan needs to answer much more than that. What are your current weight and body composition? Which goals are truly right for you? What is your current diet providing too much of, or too little of? And once you make changes, how will you know you're on the right track?
🌱 A consultation delivers far more value when you come not just to receive a meal plan, but also prepared with the information your doctor needs and knowing what to discuss with them.
Read on for insights from Dr. Nguyen Phuong Anh, MSc, Nutrition Specialist at the CarePlus International Clinics.

Below are 3 questions to prepare before your nutrition consultation, so you can receive advice that is more specific and better tailored to your needs.
1️⃣ Question 1: "What are the right weight and body composition goals for me?"
At a nutrition consultation, many people ask, "How many kilograms should I lose?" But the number on the scale does not fully reflect the state of your body.
Two people with the same height and weight, and even the same BMI, can have very different body compositions: one may have a high body fat percentage and low muscle mass, while the other has healthy muscle mass and body fat levels.
✅ That is why your nutrition goals should not stop at a single weight figure. What matters more is determining whether you need to lose fat, how much, and whether your current muscle mass should be maintained or improved.
Once your body composition is clearly understood, your doctor can work with you to set more appropriate goals: losing fat while minimizing muscle loss, building muscle if needed, or maintaining your current body composition if it is already healthy.
So instead of just asking, "How many kilograms should I weigh?", ask more specifically: "What should my target weight and body fat mass be? Do I need to maintain or improve my muscle mass?"

2️⃣ Question 2: "Does my current diet meet my needs? What am I getting too much of, or not enough of?"
You may believe you eat very healthily, yet your portions can still provide excess energy. Conversely, someone trying to lose weight may be eating too little, not getting enough protein, or missing some essential food groups.
So instead of only asking, "What should I eat? What should I avoid?", let your doctor evaluate the diet you actually follow: Does your energy intake match your needs? Is your protein sufficient? Are your food groups balanced? Is there anything in your diet that needs adjusting?
📝 For a more realistic assessment, prepare a 3-day food diary. Record what you actually eat and drink, when you eat, and the estimated amounts, such as 1 bowl of rice, 1 glass of milk, 1 egg, and so on. Don't forget snacks and beverages that contain calories.
A food diary is not for your doctor to "grade" whether you eat well or badly. It is a way for your doctor to understand your real eating habits, so they can identify what you are already doing well and should continue, and what truly needs to change.

3️⃣ Question 3: "What do I need to change, and which indicators should I track to know I'm on the right path?"
A good nutrition consultation should not end with a long list of "dos" and "don'ts." After your visit, you need to know clearly which changes to prioritize first, what targets to reach, and which indicators to monitor to assess your progress.
These may include weight, waist circumference, body fat mass and muscle mass. They may also include blood glucose, HbA1c, blood lipids, blood pressure, or other health indicators related to your medical condition.
🗓 And don't forget to ask: "When should I be reassessed or come back for a follow-up?" A nutrition plan is not set in stone. When your weight, body composition, test results, health status or lifestyle habits change, your nutrition plan may need to be adjusted as well.

An effective nutrition consultation doesn't just tell you "what to eat." More importantly, it helps you understand what your goals are, what you need to change, how to track your progress, and when to make adjustments.
Preparing the right information and questions in advance helps your doctor understand you better, and helps ensure the advice you receive fits your own health status, habits and goals.
✅ At CarePlus, our nutrition consultation service is personalized to each client's health status, lifestyle habits and goals, supported by a team of experienced doctors and modern medical equipment.
📩 Message our fanpage or call our free hotline at 1800 6116 to book your appointment today.