{"id":19564,"date":"2022-03-31T10:43:05","date_gmt":"2022-03-31T15:43:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thepapergown.zocdoc.com\/?p=19564"},"modified":"2026-08-14T13:01:23","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T18:01:23","slug":"covid-19-pandemic-nutrition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/guides\/covid-19-pandemic-nutrition\/","title":{"rendered":"People Are Flocking to Dietitians Post-Pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Covid-19 pandemic turned everyone\u2019s lives upside down. As people went into survival mode, many anxiously turned to <\/span>new coping strategies<\/span><\/a> \u2014 often trading in carrots for the nostalgic comfort of cheese puffs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In general, per one large <\/span>study<\/span><\/a>, 36% of people reported eating less healthily and <\/span>\u00a044% said they are snacking more<\/span><\/a>. Additionally, <\/span>48% of people<\/span><\/a> reported gaining more weight than usual, according to a nation-wide population-based study.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet, now, as the worst of the pandemic has let up, more and more people are rethinking their habits and recognizing the importance of prioritizing their health going forward.<\/span><\/p>\n

We, at Zocdoc, found some interesting insights in a data analysis of nutrition-related appointment booking from January 2021-February 2021 to January-February 2022, dubbed \u201cThe Year in Nutrition.\u201d Appointments with dietitians increased by 63%, while nutrition consultations and follow-up appointments increased by 31%.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Instead of just turning to health influencers or fad diets, patients are turning to health professionals, like dietitians, nutritionists and others, for advice on living healthier lifestyles.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Intuitive eating is in<\/h3>\n

Our data shows that intuitive eating and mindful eating consultation appointments have increased by 175%.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not familiar, <\/span>intuitive eating<\/span><\/a> is a new movement that encourages people to learn how to enjoy food mindfully and nurture themselves based on the cues their body gives them, rather than simply dieting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Many Americans<\/span><\/a> resorted to unhealthy eating practices to help cope with the stress of the pandemic. A <\/span>dietitian, or nutritionist<\/span><\/a>, both can help patients who are looking to change their relationships with food learn more about intuitive eating.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For patients suffering from something more serious, like an eating disorder, a dietitian would likely work with an <\/span>eating disorder therapist<\/span><\/a> to implement a more comprehensive treatment plan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Inflammation is a point of concern<\/h3>\n

Per our data, in the time period analyzed, anti-inflammatory diet appointments increased by a whopping 300%.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve all heard a lot about <\/span>inflammation<\/span><\/a>, but what exactly is it? Generally speaking, it\u2019s a defense mechanism our body uses to fight off invaders. But chronic inflammation is a slow burn that can last for years, in response to autoimmune conditions or environmental factors like air pollution. As we learn more and more about inflammation, experts have linked it to <\/span>cancer<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>heart disease<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your diet<\/span><\/a> can either increase or decrease any inflammation in your body. For instance, <\/span>processed food<\/a>, one of the top culprits of causing inflammation<\/a>, has<\/span> had a pandemic moment. <\/span>Medical providers like dietitians can help patients, who are turning to them for help, figure out the anti-inflammatory plan that works for them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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All in all, post-pandemic, many people are realizing that their food choices can majorly impact their overall health. They are turning to medical professionals to heal their relationships with food, and in turn, heal their bodies. Everything is interconnected after all.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n