Ask your doctor
Ask your doctor
This guide doesn't give consultations or answer personal questions. What it can do is help you prepare for a conversation with your own doctor: a GP, an endocrinologist or a dietitian. Below are questions that are handy to take with you to an appointment.
A good conversation with a doctor starts with your own observations: what has changed, when, and what worries you most.
How this section works: the questions are meant for your own doctor. We suggest what you might ask, but we don't answer on a professional's behalf or assess anyone's health.
About weight
Should I be worried about my weight?
Tell your doctor what concerns you and why. They will look at your health as a whole rather than a single number, and explain whether there is any reason to change anything.
Why has my weight changed when I'm eating the same as before?
Describe when you noticed the change, how you're sleeping, how you feel and what prescribed medicines you take. There can be many reasons, and only a professional can work them out.
Which doctor should I see?
Usually you start with your GP. If needed, they will refer you to an endocrinologist, a dietitian or another specialist.
What should I do if thoughts about food make me anxious?
Say so directly. Your doctor may suggest seeing a psychologist or a psychotherapist. This is a normal part of looking after your health, and there's nothing to be ashamed of.
About eating with a long-term condition
Do I need to eat differently because of my condition?
Ask which foods you should limit and which you can eat freely, and ask why. In this case the guide's general advice does not replace your doctor's instructions.
How much salt can I have?
With heart or kidney disease and some other conditions, the guidelines may differ from the general ones. Check them with your doctor.
How do I fit my treatment around my usual meals?
Ask whether food affects how your prescribed medicines work and whether the timing of meals matters.
About tests and check-ups
Do I need any tests?
Describe your symptoms and any illnesses in your close family. Your doctor will decide which tests are right for you.
How should I prepare for a blood test?
Ask whether you can eat and drink beforehand and what time is best to come in. The rules depend on the specific test.
What do my results mean?
Don't try to interpret the results yourself using tables from the internet. Ask your doctor to explain them in plain words and say whether anything needs to change.
Related reading
- Approaches
How a varied plate works, how to cook simply with less salt, and how to plan shopping so good food is always within reach.
- Prevention
Everyday habits without bans: regular meals, water, vegetables, less salt and fewer sugary drinks, good sleep and timely check-ups.
- Quick-fix claims (in Russian)
A note at an archived address: signs of dubious weight-loss promises and where to turn for real help.
- Glossary
Words from food packs and nutrition articles in plain English: from free sugars and sodium to fibre and ingredient lists.
Sources
- World Health Organization: "Healthy diet" fact sheet
This guide draws on the World Health Organization's general advice on healthy eating and on food labelling requirements as they stood when it was written. Recommendations are updated from time to time, and decisions about your own eating are best made together with a doctor.