Dietitian for underweight and malnutrition
Gain weight healthily and get your energy back, with a nourishing plan made for you.
Weight & metabolic health · Amsterdam and Almere · no referral needed
Does this sound familiar?
Gaining weight can be just as hard as losing it. Perhaps you have little appetite, feel full quickly, or are losing weight because of illness or stress. Malnutrition costs you muscle strength, energy and resistance to illness.
Who is this guidance for?
If you recognise yourself in one or more of these situations, a dietitian is a logical next step. Not sure? A single question by e-mail is answered free of charge.
- You have lost weight unintentionally, for example through illness, surgery or medication
- You have a BMI below 18.5 or a low appetite that doesn't go away
- You are older and notice that your muscle strength and energy are declining
- You have a chronic condition such as COPD, cancer or a bowel disease that makes eating difficult
- Your GP (huisarts) or specialist has diagnosed malnutrition and advised dietary support
What we do
- Analysis of what you currently eat and how much energy you need
- An energy- and protein-enriched nutrition plan that is achievable with a small appetite
- Monitoring of weight and muscle mass
- Coordination with your GP or specialist where needed
How nutrition helps with underweight and malnutrition
Malnutrition means your body has been getting too little energy, protein or other nutrients for a long period. It can happen at a low weight, but also at a normal or high weight, for example if illness makes you lose weight quickly. The result is loss of muscle mass, lower resistance to illness, slower recovery and fatigue.
At the intake we map out what you eat now, where it gets difficult and how much energy and protein your body actually needs. We then draw up a plan with small, energy-dense eating moments spread across the day, practical ways to enrich everyday meals and, if necessary, medical nutritional drinks in consultation with your doctor.
We work according to the Dutch malnutrition guideline of the Stuurgroep Ondervoeding (the national malnutrition steering group) and coordinate with your GP, specialist or home-care team. If leaving the house is difficult, we come to you.
What to expect from your programme
The aim is for your weight to stabilise and, where needed, to increase gradually, while maintaining or building muscle mass. We track weight and body composition at every review and adjust the plan if your appetite or situation changes. Many clients mainly notice that eating stops feeling like a chore.
We make no promises about kilos or timelines. What we do is measure the same way at every evaluation, so you see your progress in black and white.
How your programme works
Four clear steps, from sign-up to evaluation. All within the cover of your basic health insurance, at our locations in Amsterdam or Almere, at home or online.
Sign up
Online in a few minutes, no referral letter needed. Choose a location, a home visit or a video call, and your preferred time. We get in touch within one working day.
± 3 minutes
60-minute intake appointment
Full screening with weight and body-fat measurement (circumference measurements where useful), a dietary history and personal advice straight away. Afterwards we work out your plan and sample day menu (30 minutes).
60 + 30 minutes
Personal plan
Treatment goals and an eating pattern that fits your life and schedule, with consultations spread across the year. No standard lists, but choices you can keep up.
after the intake
Guidance and measuring
In follow-up consultations we discuss your progress, answer your questions and measure again, so your progress becomes visible and we can adjust in time.
at your pace
Is a dietitian for underweight and malnutrition covered?
Yes. Dietary advice is covered for three hours per calendar year under the Dutch basic health insurance (basisverzekering), with no referral letter needed. With supplementary insurance you are often entitled to more sessions. If you are over 18, your deductible (eigen risico) applies, except within an integrated care network (ketenzorg). We are contracted with all Dutch health insurers and bill them directly, so you receive no invoice.
Dietitian without a referral letter
For dietary advice you do not need a referral from your GP (huisarts): you sign up directly online and we get in touch within one working day. Only if you want to be guided within integrated care (ketenzorg), so that your deductible is not touched, does your GP request a referral. Where useful, we always coordinate with your GP or specialist.
Frequently asked questions about underweight and malnutrition
I can't manage large portions. What then?
That is exactly why we work with small, energy-dense eating moments spread across the day, so you get enough without feeling overly full.
Is dietary advice for malnutrition covered by Dutch health insurance?
Yes. Three hours of dietary advice per calendar year are covered by the basic health insurance (basisverzekering), with every Dutch insurer and without a referral letter. If malnutrition is combined with COPD or another chronic condition, the support may fall under an integrated care network (ketenzorg), in which case no deductible (eigen risico) applies.
Do I need a referral from my GP (huisarts) to see a dietitian?
No. You can register directly; every Dutch health insurer covers dietary advice without a referral letter (verwijsbrief). The only exception is care within an integrated care network (ketenzorg) for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular risk management (CVRM) and COPD: your GP arranges that referral, because your deductible (eigen risico) is then not charged.
Do I need medical nutritional drinks?
Not always. We first look at what can be achieved with ordinary food. Only if that is not enough do we advise medical nutritional drinks, in consultation with your doctor; these are then usually covered via the pharmacy.
Can you visit me at home?
Yes. If leaving the house is difficult, we make home visits in Amsterdam and Almere. Video consultations are also possible. Both are covered in the same way as an appointment at our practice.
A dietitian near me
Guidance for underweight and malnutrition is available at all our locations in Amsterdam and Almere, at home or by video call. Choose whichever is easiest for you.
- Dietitian Amsterdam SlotervaartGezondheidscentrum Slotervaart, Louwesweg 6, Amsterdam
- Dietitian Amsterdam ZuidoostHuisartsenpraktijk Zuidoost, Florijn 5A, Amsterdam
- Dietitian Amsterdam OokmeerHuisartsenpraktijk Ookmeer, Notweg 30-A, Amsterdam
- Dietitian Almere Stad, Almere
- Online or at home. Video calls are covered in the same way; home visits in Amsterdam and Almere for anyone who finds it hard to leave the house.
Related treatments
All seventeen treatments- Dietitian for COPDWith COPD, breathing costs energy. Good nutrition keeps you stronger, fitter and at a better weight.
- Dietitian for stomach, bowel and liver complaintsFrom irritable bowel to fatty liver: food that eases complaints instead of causing them.
- Dietitian for eating disorders and disordered eatingBuilding a healthy relationship with food, in a safe and non-judgemental setting.
- Multilingual dietitians, advice that fits your kitchenNutritional advice in the language you feel comfortable in, and tailored to what you eat at home.
Clear explanations and I can easily keep it up.
Very happy with the help, especially from Britt. Clear explanations and I can easily keep it up. Very happy with it.
Start today with guidance for underweight and malnutrition
Sign up in a few minutes. We get in touch within one working day to plan your intake, at our locations in Amsterdam or Almere, at home or online. Covered by basic health insurance, no referral needed.