You can get advice on nutrition from a specially trained health professional called a dietitian. Some HIV clinics have specialist dietitians, or can refer you to dietitians, who can:

• Make sure your diet is fulfilling all your individual nutritional requirements.
• Give you advice about your diet if you are experiencing metabolic changes due to your HIV treatment.
• Regularly check your body weight and ensure that the proportion of fat to muscle is appropriate.
• Advise you on any dietary changes you may need to make if you become ill.
• Help you avoid food poisoning.
• Offer advice on symptom control, such as how to manage changes in taste caused by medication.
• Give advice for managing conditions such as diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidaemia (high levels of fat in the blood) and poor absorption of food.
• Give advice on your nutritional requirements during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
• Help you identify and manage any food allergies and intolerances.
• Advise you on your nutrition needs based on your exercise levels or sporting activity.
• Provide information and advice on the use of vitamins and minerals and complementary therapies.

Some dietitians use a variety of tests to assess how much muscle and fat there is in your body. If these tests are done regularly your dietitian may be able to spot changes in weight and body composition before you do. However, you may be the first to notice changes in your weight or body shape – for instance, if your clothes become too loose or tight. These may be important times to talk to your dietitian about making changes to your diet or exercise.