Macy Wright

NUT 409

17 November 2020

Guest Speaker Journal Entry: Natalie Lomazov

Natalie Lomazov is an RD who works with diabetes, pregnant women with diabetes, and

disordered eating. Responsibilities of RD’s working with diabetes include using medical

nutrition therapy to counsel and come up with proper therapeutic and nutritional methods for

patients in order to treat and manage their diabetes1. In terms of pregnant women, it is imperative

that women are given the knowledge and help needed regarding obesity, weight gain, and

diabetes when pregnant. Responsibilities of an RD would include giving counseling and nutrition

therapy throughout pregnancy and up to 18 months postpartum2. In terms of disordered eating,

the role of an RD is essential to patient’s recovery and education. RD’s working with disordered

eating patients must be aware of negative symptoms of triggers when working with food beliefs,

patterns, and misinformation3. Responsibilities of RD’s working with disordered eating include

providing patients with nutrition therapy and education based on the individual’s needs4.

Natalie has worked with UCSD and Sharp, has experience working with private practice,

and is currently starting a private practice that focuses on diabetes. With her patients, she uses an

education program called ADCES. The diabetes educator website shares the goals and other

information about ADCES. It is an organization which aims to improve diabetes through their

specific care model. The website shares that there are over 12,000 health care professionals that

are part of the organization5.

Natalie shared that she collaborates with occupational therapists, physical therapists,

speech therapists, nurses, doctors, endocrinologists, and social workers. Some patients have
specific needs, such as self-feeding issues that may require the help of occupational therapists.

She collaborates with different therapists based on the needs of her patients. Nurses and doctors

are also important for her to work with because they can refer patients to her practice if they feel

the patient may need it.

I think the work that Natalie does is very interesting and important. She shared a lot of

great things during her presentation that will be useful to take note of for the future. She

explained a lot about how to properly work with patients and how to listen and make suggestions

rather than telling them what they need to do. I enjoyed Natalie’s presentation a lot because she

explained how she started out working clinical then branched out to private practice, which is

something that interests me. I think working with diabetes patients, pregnant women with

diabetes, and patients with disordered eating are all topics of interest to me. I specifically am

interested in working with disordered eating through private practice in the future, as that is a

topic I find to be very important and necessary. There are so many people with disordered eating

patterns that do not receive the help needed and I would like to work with disordered eating in

order to help those individuals in the future. I also could see myself working with diabetes

patients in private practice in the future as there are many people with diabetes and it will always

be necessary to have dietitians working with diabetes.

 References

1. Ellis E. How an RDN Can Help with Diabetes. Eat Right Website.

https://www.eatright.org/health/diseases-and-conditions/diabetes/how-an-rdn-can-help-

with-diabetes. Published November 9, 2020. Accessed November 16, 2020.

2. Stang J, Huffman LG. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: obesity,

reproduction, and pregnancy outcomes. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2016;116(4):677-691

3. Hackert AN, Kniskern MA, Beasley TM. Position of the Academy Of Nutrition and

Dietetics: revised 2020 standards of practice and standards of professional performance

for registered dietitian nutritionists (competent, proficient, and expert) in eating disorders.

J Acad Nutr Diet. 2020;120(11):1902-1919

4. Cowden S. How a Dietitian Helps You With an Eating Disorder. Very Well Mind

Website. https://www.verywellmind.com/eating-disorder-dietitians-an-overview-

1138351. Published February 13, 2020. Accessed November 16, 2020.

5. About ADCES. Diabetes Educator Website. https://www.diabeteseducator.org/about-

adces. Accessed November 16, 2020.