“What Does a Nutritionist Do?” The answers will blow your mind

The other day, I decided to ask a simple question online:
“What does a nutritionist do?”

I honestly thought I’d get a few serious, sensible answers. Maybe one or two health-conscious people explaining about balanced diets and portion control. You know… boring but useful stuff.

But this is Kenya.

We are the same people who will see a road sign saying “slippery when wet” and immediately think it’s a metaphor about life.

So of course, the answers came flying in… and let me just say — my people, you have no mercy.

Kenyans’ “honest” answers
Here are some of the actual responses I got:

1. “They stop people from eating ugali after 8 pm.”
2. “They just tell you that kale and spinach are the same thing.”
3. “They calculate how many chapatis will send you to heaven early.” aah you guys
4. “They are the ones who force you to drink warm lemon water every morning.” How To Enjoy a glass of Smoothie!
5. “They are like doctors, but for food. Basically, they prescribe kale.” (Can I write a kale prescription? Asking for a friend.)
6. “They stop happiness… also known as mandazi.” (The pain in this statement is personal.)
7. “They are those people who look at your plate and just sigh.” (This one hurt… because it’s a little bit true.)

By this point, I had tears in my eyes from laughing. The way some of you talked, you’d think a nutritionist’s work is to sit in a dark office plotting how to make Kenyans eat plain porridge forever.

Let’s get serious for a second

I get it  we’ve all met that one person who made “healthy eating” sound like a prison sentence. They told you to quit sugar, avoid carbs, and basically survive on steamed broccoli and sadness. That’s not what good nutrition is about.

So, what does a nutritionist actually do?

A nutritionist is a trained health professional who understands how food affects your body not just for weight loss, but for overall health. Here’s what we actually do:

• Assess your health and lifestyle, We ask questions about what you eat, your health goals, medical history, and even your daily routine. (Yes, we need to know if you’re that person who skips breakfast but drinks three cups of tea before 10 a.m.)
• Create a personalised eating plans, This isn’t about banning all your favourite foods. It’s about finding balance  like teaching you how to enjoy chapati without eating the whole stack in one sitting.
• Educate you on food and nutrition, Many health problems  from fatigue to high blood sugar  are linked to how and what we eat. A nutritionist helps you understand which foods help your body thrive and which ones you should take in moderation.
• Support special dietary needs, If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, food allergies, are pregnant, or want to improve sports performance  we help you choose the right foods for your specific needs.
• Encourage long-term healthy habits, This isn’t a one-week detox or a 3-day cabbage soup diet. It’s about helping you make small, consistent changes you can live with for life.

The truth?
A good nutritionist won’t just tell you to “eat more greens” and walk away. They’ll work with you to create a way of eating that:

• Supports your health
• Fits your lifestyle and culture
• Still lets you enjoy life (yes, even with the occasional mandazi)

We’re not here to shame you, judge your plate, or rob you of happiness. In fact, many of us love food just as much as you do  we’ve just learned how to make it work for us instead of against us.

So next time you see a nutritionist, please… don’t hide your plate of nyama choma. We’re not here to confiscate it  unless, of course, you’re willing to share.