medical nutrition therapy
Private Pay Nutrition Counseling
Make permanent changes by working with a Registered Dietitian! You will learn about nutrition, exercise and wellness strategies that will last a lifetime for both you and your family. Alison will show you how to transform your core beliefs and lifestyle to meet your goals. Various programs are available to meet your needs. Alison has worked with women, children, and families for many years. She understands the demands of your busy life and how to guide you in making the choices that support your goals.
Medical Nutrition Therapy involves visits with Alison to manage your medical condition and is covered by many health insurance companies. Alison currently accepts Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, United Health Care, Tufts, Aetna, and Cigna. Areas of expertise include, but are not limited to: weight loss, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, arthritis, diabetes, IBS, GERD and other conditions. Please contact Alison for more information.
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MEET OUR dietitian
Alison Doak, MS, RD, LDN
Alison is a Registered Dietitian and nutrition educator who loves working with individuals and teaching interactive groups.
Alison has worked with women, children, and families for years and enjoys empowering them to learn the skills and make the choices that allow them to reach their goals. Alison specializes in family and pediatric nutrition, meal planning, prenatal nutrition, and weight management, so she comes with a wide range of experience to help all Fitness Unlimited members achieve their goals. She also helps clients to manage medical conditions, including blood pressure, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, food allergies, and celiac disease, taking the guesswork out of diet management.
Alison will work with you to develop a healthy relationship with food and create realistic goals that work with YOUR lifestyle. She understands the demands of active women and busy moms and takes a practical approach to helping you achieve your wellness goals. Alison firmly believes that there is no “one size fits all” diet plan.
Alison earned her Bachelor’s degree from Colby College and a Master’s of Science in Food and Nutrition from Framingham State University, where she now teaches as a visiting lecturer. She began her career as a Clinical Dietitian at the Lahey Clinic and currently works as a pediatric dietitian, speaker, and consultant to schools, colleges, and private corporations.
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Below are answers to commonly asked questions about Nutrition.
If you don’t find the answer you need, simply contact us and we’ll get right back to you.
Begin by calling the number on the back of your insurance card to find out if you have nutrition benefits and if a referral is needed. Ask the following questions:
- Do I have a (medical) nutrition benefit?
- If so, do I need a referral?
- Do I have a deductible to meet first?
- How many visits am I allowed?
- What is my co-pay?
The next step is calling your physician to request a referral, if needed, and a prescription for nutrition counselling for your medical diagnosis. Contact Alison directly with questions.
You can book your appointment directly with Alison once she has your referral on file and your diagnosis from your PCP. Currently there is about a one to two-week waiting period.
Many diagnoses can benefit from medical nutrition therapy, but many plans cover nutrition for general wellness or as a preventative service. Common ones include:
- Obesity
- Hypertension
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Diverticulosis
- Iron deficiency
- anemia
- Irritable bowel
- syndrome
- Crohn’s disease & ulcerative colitis
- Constipation
- Lactose intolerance
- Hypothyroidism
- GERD or reflux
This isn’t a complete list, of course, so ask your physician if nutrition therapy is right for you and your heath conditions.
Alison Doak, of Alison Doak Nutrition is a Registered Dietitian with years of experience helping clients reach their goals. Your first appointments will take 60-75 minutes, and you and Alison will discuss your medical, family, exercise and dieting history, as well as get a picture of your eating habits. During your second 30-60 minute session, Alison will go over her assessment of your diet and offer nutrition education. Next, you will work with Alison to create individualized goals and strategies to help you accomplish these goals. Alison will share recipes, tools, and resources as appropriate and schedule follow-up appointments. Most often, clients benefit from multiple visits. Much of the first session is spent collecting medical history and getting to know you. Follow-up sessions allow Alison to check in on your progress, add helpful strategies, and keep YOU accountable.
We charge your co-pay amount, which is stated as “OV” (office visit) on your insurance card. If you need to cancel, we ask for a courtesy call 24 hours prior to your appointment. If you cancel with less than 24 hours notice, you will be required to pay for the session.
You do not have to be a Fitness Unlimited member to work with our dietitian, but exercise will most likely be part of your wellness plan!