What RDs Do: Jing Liu, MS, RD

JING LIU

NUTRIENERGY WORKS

for something nutrishus

Working in the hot topic area of mindfulness, I love that Jing focuses on health and happiness and the fact that she takes one day a week for herself (that & meditation are still on my to-do list!). We see dietitians working on interdisciplinary teams and having holistic approaches, here Jing really reminds us to be fully present and keep our mind aware when it comes to nourishment and health. 

Why did you become a RD?

I became a RD because I liked everything a RD can do to improve people’s quality of life.

What area of dietetics do you work in?

I work in the areas of clinical nutrition, community nutrition and nutrition education.

How would you explain what you do?

I help people to understand different contributions to their health issues, gain awareness of results of their choices, and be empowered for new options to achieve healthier and happier journey in life.

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks?

• I counsel patients on an individual basis and teach group workshops in a community medical center two full days and two mornings a week.
• I conduct mindfulness meditation sessions via Skype to help adults rejuvenate their energy level about two times a week. These sessions helped my clients and I to reduce intake of caffeine and sugar. They also helped to improve quality of sleep over the years.
• I write an article on mindful nutrition care and lead a mindful wellness group once a month.
• I rest, meditate, garden and do my chores every Thursday.

What has been your career path?

I started my career path in year 2000 with clinical nutrition (skilled nursing facilities & hospital). In 2003, I replaced SNF jobs with community nutrition (community medical center). Later, I replaced hospital work with nutrition education & consultation work. In recent years, I integrated mindfulness into my clinical/community nutrition education.

What advanced education or special training do you have?

• I completed the CDR training on childhood & adolescents obesity and weight management.
• I have been practicing and teaching mindfulness for about 10 years.

In an ideal world, what does the industry look like 5 years from now?

There would be a system in place for people to seek nutritional care before they are prescribed medication for many health issues.

What misinformation about RDs would you like to clear up?

RDs services are not only for body weight problems.

What would you like people to know about RDs?

RD services can be for the wellness of a person’s whole body and wellbeing.

What are challenges you encounter as a RD?

People’s perception of RDs as judgmental, strict, and having unrealistic recommendations.

What do people think that you do for a living?

Before was just to help people lose weight, now is also teaching people of how to be calm and raise a calm child because of my mindfulness services.

What are you passionate about in dietetics?

Dietetics helps people to work on the foundation of their health. It enables people to be connected with themselves, their environment and everything they experience. Ultimately, live the most of their lives. That is joy to me.

What makes RDs unique/different from other nutrition/wellness professionals?

RDs have the intense and comprehensive training to make connections of one’s health concerns to the whole body, experiences with the environment and food industries, and provide step by step guidance to improve one’s health through a process. Most nutrition/wellness professionals tend to have limited education and training, may offer solutions for results that do not last and often could not help people in gaining long term self-care skills.

What is your favourite meal?

Every meal is my favorite. I try to take my time and enjoy every bite I take in nourishing myself, as many people call it mindful eating.

What tip(s) would you give to our readers?

• Choose what you put into your mouth with your stomach and your mind.
• Notice how you are being affected by what is outside of your mind and body as you make your choices.
• Give yourself a chance and go talk to one or more RDs for your own information.

Anything else you’d like to add that you feel would be valuable:

A note to remember: Good nutrition is a major part of a healthy lifestyle and healthy lifestyle is the foundation for a healthy and happy life. Enjoy!

More about Jing:

Owner: NutriEnergy Works
Website: nutriNRGworks
Phone: (510) 336 – 6039
E-mail: jing@nutriNRGworks.com
Facebook: NutriEnergy Works
Twitter: @NutriEnergyWork
LinkedIn: Jing Liu
MeetUp group: Mindfulness Wellness

Thanks Jing! Find out more about What RDsDo.

If you're a dietitian that would like to be featured, email me for the details!

There Are No Quick Fixes

After talking with a close friend I was inspired to post some thoughts. We were talking about the time it takes and daily effort for achieving/maintaining or working towards improved health (or anything really). Since I'm obviously interested in food and nutrition this hits home with people always wanting quick fix diets. For those that work in the fitness world they get the same unrealistic requests from clients. It's not a topic I've done research in, but if we think about it, we're often trying to reverse or undo years of habits overnight.

Change is hard! Some people want to get back to a past 'ideal' version of themselves, which may not even be possible after puberty, pregnancy, and maturation. This totally relates to the time concept that's been on my mind. We're looking for the pill to 'fix everything', the cream to reverse aging, the workout that is quick but shows results - we're looking for easy, but often these things are inevitable (sorry, we're all getting older!) or take a lot of hard work.

You have to consider the behaviours, environment, and other things (often stressors) that led to where you are right now. Perhaps you've never eaten many vegetables, perhaps you don't know how to cook or have never gone for a run. How can you expect to cook more healthfully at home and run a race without taking the first small step towards that very large goal? I think there is the desire for immediate results and also the fear of failure. I know I don't like to struggle at things, but I know that it takes time to learn a new skill or change an old habit. I am passionate about personal development and working towards being my best self, but I also think I've finally learned that I will always be a work in progress.

It shouldn't sound defeatist to accept that there are no quick fixes, but I also consider myself a realist. It should motivate us that each thought or motion towards our goal is a success. The promises of quick fixes or miracles should automatically make us alert to start questioning the information. I know we've heard it before, but 'if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is'!

Some things may come easy to you, some may be hard, and others may be things you will work on for the rest of your life. This is where the concept of sustainability can come in - what can you start doing today and continue to do into the future; not what can you do for a week/month before you revert to past habits.

I'd love to hear about the habit you're working on or your thoughts on quick fixes - comment below!

Cheers,
Steph Langdon, RD
www.nutrishus.com