If you’re obese, working with a local registered dietitian can be extremely helpful. A local registered dietitian is a wellness professional who has taken specialized training in nutritional science and health. People who are obese are those with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher and weight more than they should for their age, height and gender. A local registered dietitian can also help people with obesity-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes or heart disease. A local registered dietitian can help people who are overweight or obese lose weight, lower cholesterol, fuel the body for exercise and incorporate more plant sterols into the diet. From reducing sodium and fats to choosing anti-inflammatory foods to heal the body, a local registered dietitian can help people who are obese or overweight make healthy changes such as reducing fats in the diet. They can also help you set healthy weight goals and stay accountable to your plan.

Your local registered dietitian can help you understand how many calories you need to eat in a day to lose weight or maintain weight. If you’d like more information on working with a local registered dietitian to lose weight, reduce calories, lower cholesterol and eat more healthy foods, start by talking to your local family doctor. Fast foods are often high in sodium. Eating too much sodium can lead to fluid retention and high blood pressure and increase your risk of developing heart disease and stroke. You should aim to eat less than 2,000 milligrams of sodium daily - the average North American diet has about four to five thousand milligrams.