How do I know if I need a registered dietitian vs. just watching what I eat?

If tracking what you eat has stalled weight loss, you keep regaining weight after dieting, or you have a condition like diabetes, PCOS, or post-bariatric needs — a registered dietitian adds clinical structure, lab-aware nutrition planning, and accountability most apps can't match.

Do I need a referral to see a registered dietitian at CNC?

No referral needed. CNC is direct-pay and does not bill insurance, so you can book directly. Same-week appointments are often available.

Will insurance cover visits with a registered dietitian at CNC?

CNC is a direct-pay practice and does not bill insurance. Visits are $65 with an RDN. We can provide an itemized superbill you can submit to your insurer for potential out-of-network reimbursement — many patients get partial reimbursement.

How long is each visit with the dietitian?

Your first RDN visit is 30 minutes as part of the $250 new-patient intake (also includes a 1-hour provider visit, full labs, and SECA body composition). Follow-up RDN visits are typically 30 minutes.

Can I work with a dietitian even if I'm on a GLP-1 medication?

Yes — and it's actually recommended. GLP-1 medications reduce appetite, which can lead to under-eating protein and losing lean mass. An RDN designs a protein-forward plan to preserve muscle, manages nausea-friendly foods during dose escalation, and protects long-term metabolic health.

Registered Dietitian Near Me | Greenwood Village, CO

Q: What's the difference between a registered dietitian and a nutritionist?

A registered dietitian (RDN) has a 4-year accredited degree, completed a supervised internship, passed a national exam, and maintains state licensure. 'Nutritionist' is unregulated — anyone can use the title. Medical decisions like adjusting insulin, working around kidney disease, or post-surgical nutrition require an RDN.

Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist. A registered dietitian — RD or RDN — has completed a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, a supervised clinical internship, and a national examination. They are the credential that actually means something.

At Clinical Nutrition Center in Greenwood Village, our RDNs — Stacy Gill RDN and Mary Ellen Doukakis RDN — work alongside Dr. Lazarus to provide medical nutrition therapy for patients with obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and anyone on a GLP-1 medication who wants to optimize their results.

Your Registered Dietitians atCNC

Clinical Nutrition Center
5995 Greenwood Plaza Blvd #150
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
(303) 750-9454

We’re in Greenwood Village, serving Greenwood Village and the greater Denver metro — including Highlands Ranch, Parker, and Castle Rock. Easy access from I-25 and Arapahoe Road.

What Is a Registered Dietitian? (And Why the Credential Matters)

“Nutritionist” is not a protected title. In most states, including Colorado, anyone can call themselves a nutritionist without any formal training. The results you get from an unregulated “nutritionist” depend entirely on their individual background — which you often can’t verify.

Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) requires:

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited nutrition program
1,200+ hours of supervised clinical practice
A national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration
Ongoing continuing education to maintain the credential

When you see “RDN” after someone’s name, you know their training is real and their knowledge is current.

What Happens at Your First RDN Visit

Your first RDN visit at CNC is a 60-minute comprehensive nutrition assessment. This is not a quick weigh-in and a printed handout.

Here’s what to expect:

Medical and diet history. Your RDN will review your medical history, current medications, and dietary patterns. If you’re on a GLP-1 medication, they’ll understand how it’s affecting your appetite, digestion, and energy levels.
Food relationship review. This is where many patients say things they’ve never said to a doctor. Your RDN will ask about your eating patterns, stress eating triggers, late-night eating, and the emotional relationship you have with food. This isn’t about judgment — it’s about understanding what you’re actually working with.
Macro and micro analysis. Your RDN will review your current macronutrient intake and identify gaps — whether you’re getting enough protein to preserve muscle on a GLP-1, whether your micronutrient levels are adequate, and where your diet could be working harder for you.
Personalized nutrition plan. Your RDN will create a realistic, actionable plan based on your life — not a textbook. If you travel for work, have kids, or cook for a household that isn’t dieting, your plan will account for that.

What CNC’s RDNs Help With

GLP-1 medication side effects. GLP-1 medications suppress appetite, which sounds ideal — but they can also cause nausea, GI distress, electrolyte imbalances, and muscle loss if protein intake isn’t managed correctly. Your RDN helps you eat enough of the right foods to support the medication’s effects while minimizing side effects.
Macro balance on a reduced-calorie diet. Losing weight on a GLP-1 doesn’t automatically mean you’re losing fat and not muscle. Your RDN will help you structure your macros so that the weight you lose is the weight you want to lose — and so you feel energized, not depleted.
Behavior change that actually sticks. Weight loss that comes from sustainable behavior change lasts. Your RDN works with you on the habits, triggers, and patterns that drive eating — not just what you should eat, but why you eat when you do.
Diabetes and prediabetes nutrition. Mary Ellen Doukakis RDN and Stacy Gill RDN both have expertise in diabetes medical nutrition therapy. If you have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes alongside obesity, your RDN will coordinate with Dr. Lazarus on a plan that addresses both.

Cost Transparency

Visit Type	Cost
New patient visit with RDN	$65
Follow-up RDN visit	$65
New patient with Dr. Lazarus or PA	$250
Follow-up on program (physician/PA)	$100
Free preview visit (30 min)	$0

RDN visits are also frequently covered by insurance when referred as medical nutrition therapy. We provide superbills you can submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a registered dietitian and a nutritionist?
“Nutritionist” is not a protected title in most states. A registered dietitian (RD/RDN) has completed a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, 1,200+ hours of supervised clinical practice, and a national examination. Their credential is verified and maintained through continuing education.

What happens at my first RDN visit?
Your first visit is a 60-minute comprehensive nutrition assessment. Your RDN will review your medical history, medications, dietary patterns, and food relationship. You’ll leave with a personalized nutrition plan built around your actual life.

Do I need to see a doctor first?
No. You can schedule directly with our RDNs. Many patients start with the free preview visit to meet the team, then schedule with an RDN or Dr. Lazarus depending on their needs.

Does insurance cover RDN visits?
Many insurance plans cover registered dietitian visits when referred as medical nutrition therapy. We provide superbills you can submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement. Coverage varies by plan.

Can RDN visits be virtual?
Yes. After your initial in-person visit, many follow-up RDN visits can be done via telehealth — making it easier to stay consistent with your nutrition plan even if your schedule is busy.

How much does an RDN visit cost?
RDN visits at CNC are $65. New patient physician visits are $250. Follow-up visits on a program are $100. We offer a free 30-minute preview visit so you can meet the team before committing.

Meet Our RDNs

Stacy Gill, RDN — View bio »

Mary Ellen Doukakis, RDN — View bio »

Ready to Work with a Registered Dietitian?

Clinical Nutrition Center
5995 Greenwood Plaza Blvd #150
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
(303) 750-9454

Schedule Your Free Preview Visit »