A Patient's Story Through the Eyes of a Nutritionist
There remains a prevailing mindset that one should seek out a nutritionist only when serious health signals arise—diabetes, issues from excess weight or obesity, allergic reactions, and so on. However, nutrition is a foundational element in many treatment processes, especially for chronic pain, and should not be overlooked.
A Long Journey to the Doctor’s Door
Daina Kuniauskienė sought help from Dr. Rūta Petereit, a nutritionist, after enduring chronic pain and obesity for years. As the pain grew alongside the increasing difficulty of movement, it became evident that action was necessary. For Daina, weight gain had become routine over the years, and she initially felt that addressing her pain was more important than losing weight. Her intention was to start with pain management rather than weight loss.
Initially considering gastric surgery, she decided against it after consulting with specialists, who recommended focusing on nutrition instead. A significant factor in her decision was her own recognition that her condition had progressed to a serious level, necessitating sustained effort and commitment. Daina ultimately chose to visit Clinic AGATAS, where all necessary specialists—pain specialists, neurosurgeons, nutritionists, and physical therapists—were available under one roof.
The Importance of a Balanced Diet
Dr. Petereit assessed Daina’s condition, noting that “Daina’s body mass index indicates severe obesity, so her treatment must begin with lifestyle changes, not surgery.” Even if surgery becomes necessary later, Daina will still need to adhere to nutritional guidelines. Thus, balanced nutrition must become part of her daily life.
During her first consultation, Dr. Petereit worked with Daina to assess her eating habits—what she eats, when, and in what quantities. As Dr. Petereit explains, “To start, weight loss should include sufficient protein to curb hunger, healthy fats for satiety, and a balanced amount of carbohydrates and fiber for energy.” They devised a plan that would gradually promote weight loss without extreme restrictions, emphasizing energy preservation over rapid loss.
Practicing Mindful Eating
A key component of Daina’s treatment was keeping a food diary, which helps identify eating patterns and habits that can contribute to overeating. Such diaries are invaluable not only for those with weight or chronic pain issues but also for anyone invested in their health. Keeping track of one’s eating helps both the patient and the specialist understand tendencies toward emotional eating, which can require professional support to address.
Food often becomes a way to cope with stress and emotions such as anger, anxiety, excitement, loneliness, fear, and many others, often without the person even realizing it. For this reason, professional help may be necessary. A dietitian can observe the patient more objectively, identify the causes of an unhealthy relationship between the individual and food, and provide guidance.
The Treatment is for the Patient
The team at Clinic AGATAS emphasized that the treatment process must benefit the patient most of all. “While it’s normal to deviate from a plan occasionally, the food diary helps patients realistically evaluate their dietary choices,” Dr. Petereit explains. “Specialist support is crucial for crafting a balanced diet that maintains patient motivation and curbs impulsive eating.”
Living outside Kaunas did not hinder Daina from maintaining regular contact with her nutritionist, as she could send her food diary electronically. Dr. Petereit emphasized, “Sustaining satiety is key, as hunger can lead to frustration and eventually impact progress negatively.”
Finding Joy Beyond Food
Finding new sources of joy—crafting, hobbies, or art therapy, for example—can help shift one’s focus from food. Relaxation exercises that encourage finding three positive moments daily, such as enjoying a cup of tea, can also help build mental resilience. Mindful eating also plays an essential role in this journey, where each meal is enjoyed without distractions, helping to reshape the eating experience.
Support from Loved Ones is Essential
Support from family and friends is crucial for sustained progress. Healthy eating benefits everyone, and there are countless recipes that align with balanced dietary principles.
Dr. Petereit expressed pride in Daina’s progress: “Two weeks into treatment, Daina could squat, climb stairs, and increase her physical activity—a significant milestone after years of inactivity.” For many, these achievements might seem minor, but for someone facing a health challenge, they represent a huge victory.
Daina and her nutritionist didn’t set a specific weight loss target; instead, they focused on improving health, mobility, and chronic pain management with long-term goals set for a year ahead.
Physical Activity is Essential
Alongside nutrition, physical activity is critical for recovery. A physical therapist prescribes exercises tailored to each patient’s needs, ensuring the physical load is neither too high nor too low. Professional guidance is particularly important initially to establish proper movement, and ongoing oversight is equally crucial in later stages.
Effective treatment of obesity and chronic pain is a complex, long-term process requiring input from multiple specialists. Collaborating as a team allows each patient’s condition to be viewed holistically, leading to a more comprehensive treatment plan.
“Delegating responsibility to the doctor alone is a misconception,” says Dr. Petereit. “Ultimately, health is an individual responsibility. Admitting to a problem and working to overcome it requires effort, but the results are invaluable.”
We thank patient Daina Kunauskienė and dietitian Dr. Rūta Petereit for agreeing to share this clinical case. If you have any questions related to nutrition, we invite you to consult Dr. Rūta Petereit , a medical doctor in dietetics at Clinic AGATAS. She offers consultations on various dietary issues, including chronic (spine, joint) pain, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, malnutrition, diabetes, high cholesterol, gout, and pre- or post-surgery dietary guidance. Take care of your health!
This content is shared with the written consent of the patient.