GLP-1 Nutrition Practice Glossary

A working reference for the people, terms, medications, and clinical concepts a dietitian or nutritionist running a GLP-1 caseload encounters day to day. Organized by domain so it can be skimmed during chart review or used as onboarding reading for new practitioners.

Scope: Resetful supports licensed practitioners working with adults on GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP therapies. This glossary leans into that population. It is not a substitute for clinical training, the AND Evidence Analysis Library, or the prescribing label.

1. Practitioner credentials and roles

• RD — Registered Dietitian. Credentialed by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) in the United States.
• RDN — Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Equivalent to RD; CDR adopted “RDN” in 2013 to make the nutrition scope explicit.
• CDR — Commission on Dietetic Registration. The credentialing body of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
• AND — Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The professional association for RDs/RDNs.
• DTR / NDTR — Dietetic Technician, Registered (now Nutrition and Dietetic Technician, Registered).
• LDN / LD — Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist. State-issued license; required to practice MNT in many states.
• CDN — Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist. State-level certification, naming varies by state.
• CNS — Certified Nutrition Specialist. Credential issued by the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS); recognized in some states for licensure.
• CDCES — Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (formerly CDE). Useful add-on for GLP-1 caseloads with type 2 diabetes.
• CSOWM — Board Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management. CDR specialty credential most directly aligned with GLP-1 work.
• MS / MPH / DCN / PhD — Common graduate degrees among nutrition specialists. Affects scope, research literacy, and reimbursement in some payer contracts.
• NP / PA / MD — Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant, Medical Doctor. The prescribers of GLP-1 medications. Dietitians coordinate care with these clinicians but do not prescribe.
• Health coach — Non-credentialed or NBHWC-certified support role. Important to differentiate from MNT; cannot diagnose or write nutrition prescriptions.

2. GLP-1 and related medications

• GLP-1 — Glucagon-Like Peptide-1. An incretin hormone that lowers blood glucose, slows gastric emptying, and reduces appetite signaling.
• GLP-1 RA — GLP-1 Receptor Agonist. Drug class that mimics GLP-1.
• GIP — Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide. A second incretin hormone targeted by dual agonists.
• Semaglutide — Active ingredient in Ozempic (T2D), Wegovy (obesity), and Rybelsus (oral T2D).
• Tirzepatide — Dual GLP-1/GIP agonist. Active ingredient in Mounjaro (T2D) and Zepbound (obesity).
• Liraglutide — Daily-injection GLP-1 RA. Active ingredient in Victoza (T2D) and Saxenda (obesity).
• Dulaglutide — Trulicity (T2D).
• Exenatide — Byetta / Bydureon (T2D, older).
• Retatrutide / Survodutide / CagriSema — Investigational triple- or dual-pathway agonists clients may ask about.
• Compounded GLP-1 — Pharmacy-compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide. Quality, dose accuracy, and FDA status vary; flag for the prescriber.
• Brand vs generic — All current GLP-1s are brand-name. “Generic semaglutide” is, today, almost always compounded.
• Subcutaneous injection — Most GLP-1s are weekly (or daily) sub-Q injections delivered via a pre-filled pen.
• Black-box warnings — Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or MEN 2 is a contraindication for GLP-1 RAs.

3. GLP-1 clinical phases (the language Resetful uses)

• Titration — The dose-escalation period (usually 16+ weeks). The window with the most GI side effects and the steepest nutrition risk.
• Maintenance — Stable therapeutic dose. Focus shifts to muscle preservation, micronutrient adequacy, and long-term behavior change.
• Tapering / Off-ramp — Gradual dose reduction with a structured nutrition plan to reduce weight regain risk.
• Discontinuation — Off the medication entirely. Clients often need ongoing support — appetite typically returns.
• Plateau — A weight or symptom plateau at a given dose. May or may not warrant re-titration.
• Dose escalation — Step up to the next labeled dose.
• Lowest effective dose (LED) — The smallest dose that maintains the clinical goal; a common maintenance target.
• Lifestyle anchor — Behaviors a client commits to before any taper begins (Resetful term).

4. Common GLP-1 side effects

• Nausea — The most common GI side effect, especially during titration.
• Vomiting — Risk for dehydration and electrolyte loss.
• Dyspepsia — Indigestion, fullness, upper-GI discomfort.
• Constipation — Slowed motility plus reduced intake.
• Diarrhea — Less common than constipation but does occur.
• Early satiety — Feeling full after a few bites. The mechanism behind much of the weight effect.
• Delayed gastric emptying — Slower stomach emptying. Worth flagging pre-anesthesia.
• Gastroparesis — Persistent delayed gastric emptying. A more serious diagnosis to refer back to the prescriber.
• Reflux / GERD — Heartburn from delayed emptying and recumbency.
• Sulfur burps — Hydrogen-sulfide-flavored eructation; a common client complaint.
• Pancreatitis — Rare but serious; sudden severe abdominal pain warrants urgent referral.
• Cholelithiasis / cholecystitis — Gallstones / gallbladder inflammation, increased risk during rapid weight loss.
• Hypoglycemia — Risk rises when GLP-1 is combined with insulin or a sulfonylurea.
• Injection-site reaction — Local redness, itching, or nodules.
• MTC / MEN 2 — Medullary thyroid carcinoma / Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2. Contraindications.

5. Nutrition concerns specific to GLP-1 therapy

• Muscle preservation — Protecting lean mass during rapid weight loss; typically targets ≥1.2–1.6 g protein/kg reference body weight.
• Protein adequacy — Daily protein intake split across meals; “protein-first ordering” is common practice.
• Hydration — Water + electrolytes; clients often under-drink because thirst cues blur.
• Micronutrient deficiency risk — Iron, B12, vitamin D, magnesium, calcium are common gaps.
• Bone density loss — A documented risk of rapid weight loss; resistance training is the main mitigator.
• Telogen effluvium — Stress-pattern hair shedding 2–4 months after rapid weight loss. Usually self-limited.
• Food noise — Lay term for intrusive food-related thoughts; clients often describe its reduction as the most striking effect.
• Anti-craving effect — Reduced reward salience of food, alcohol, and other consummatory behaviors.
• Texture / food aversion — New dislikes for previously tolerated foods (often meat, fried foods, very sweet foods).
• Fatigue — Reported during titration; usually multifactorial (intake, hydration, sleep, anemia).

6. Nutrition assessment

• NCP — Nutrition Care Process. AND-codified four-step framework.
• ADIME — Assessment, Diagnosis, Intervention, Monitoring, Evaluation. The documentation form of NCP.
• PES statement — Problem related to Etiology as evidenced by Signs/Symptoms. The standard nutrition diagnosis sentence.
• NCPT / IDNT — Nutrition Care Process Terminology / International Dietetics and Nutrition Terminology. Standardized vocabulary for nutrition diagnoses.
• 24-hour recall — Self-report of all intake in the last day.
• Food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) — Patterned intake estimator.
• Diet history — Open-ended interview format.
• 3-day / 7-day food record — Prospective logging.
• Hand portion method — Palm = protein, fist = vegetables, cupped hand = carbs, thumb = fats.
• Plate method — ½ non-starchy vegetables, ¼ protein, ¼ carbohydrate.
• Diabetes plate — ADA-styled plate method emphasizing low-glycemic carbs.

7. Macronutrients and energy

• AMDR — Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range.
• DRI — Dietary Reference Intake. Umbrella term covering RDA, AI, EAR, UL.
• RDA — Recommended Dietary Allowance.
• AI — Adequate Intake.
• EAR — Estimated Average Requirement.
• UL — Tolerable Upper Intake Level.
• EER — Estimated Energy Requirement.
• TDEE / TEE — Total Daily Energy Expenditure / Total Energy Expenditure.
• REE / RMR — Resting Energy Expenditure / Resting Metabolic Rate.
• BMR — Basal Metabolic Rate.
• Energy deficit — Calorie intake below TDEE.
• NEAT — Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis.
• TEF — Thermic Effect of Food.
• Glycemic index / Glycemic load — Postprandial glucose response measures.
• Net carbs — Total carbs minus fiber and sugar alcohols (a label convention, not a regulated definition).

8. Body composition and anthropometrics

• BMI — Body Mass Index. Screening tool, not a diagnosis.
• IBW — Ideal Body Weight (Hamwi or Devine equations).
• ABW — Adjusted Body Weight, used for dosing in higher-BMI clients.
• LBM / FFM — Lean Body Mass / Fat-Free Mass.
• FM — Fat Mass.
• Body fat % — A composition ratio; method-dependent.
• Waist circumference — Cardiometabolic risk indicator (>88 cm women, >102 cm men, with population variation).
• Waist-to-hip ratio — Distribution measure.
• BIA — Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis.
• DXA / DEXA — Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry.
• Skinfold calipers — Anthropometric estimate of body fat.
• Sarcopenia — Age- or disease-related loss of muscle mass and function.
• Sarcopenic obesity — High body fat with low lean mass.

9. Labs and biomarkers dietitians track

• HbA1c (A1c) — 3-month glycemic average.
• FBG — Fasting Blood Glucose.
• OGTT — Oral Glucose Tolerance Test.
• Fasting insulin / HOMA-IR — Insulin resistance markers.
• Lipid panel — Total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides.
• ApoB — Apolipoprotein B; an emerging atherogenic-particle marker.
• hs-CRP — High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (inflammation).
• ALT / AST / GGT — Liver enzymes; relevant for MASLD/NAFLD.
• eGFR / Creatinine / BUN / UACR — Kidney function and albuminuria.
• TSH / Free T4 / Free T3 — Thyroid panel.
• Vitamin D (25-OH) — Common deficiency.
• B12 / Folate / MMA — B12 status; MMA distinguishes true deficiency.
• Ferritin / iron / TIBC / transferrin saturation — Iron status.
• Magnesium / phosphorus / potassium — Electrolytes.
• Blood pressure / Resting heart rate — Cardiometabolic vitals.

10. Eating patterns and clinical interventions

• MNT — Medical Nutrition Therapy. The reimbursable scope of dietitian work.
• Mediterranean pattern — Olive oil, fish, legumes, whole grains, vegetables.
• DASH — Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension.
• Low-FODMAP — Elimination/reintroduction protocol for IBS.
• Plant-forward / plant-based — Patterns ranging from flexitarian to vegan.
• Ketogenic / very low carb — <50 g carbs/day.
• Low-carb — Often 50–130 g/day; not standardized.
• Time-restricted eating (TRE) — Daily eating window (e.g., 16:8).
• Intermittent fasting (IF) — Umbrella for TRE, alternate-day, 5:2.
• Protein-first ordering — Eating protein before carbs at a meal.
• Carb counting — Carbohydrate-aware meal planning, especially with insulin.
• Mindful eating — Awareness of hunger/fullness/sensory cues.
• Intuitive eating — Tribole & Resch framework; non-diet, weight-inclusive.
• HAES — Health at Every Size. Weight-inclusive paradigm.
• Non-diet approach — Decoupling health behaviors from weight loss.

11. Behavior change and counseling

• MI — Motivational Interviewing.
• OARS — Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries — core MI skills.
• Stages of Change — Transtheoretical Model: Pre-contemplation → Contemplation → Preparation → Action → Maintenance → Relapse.
• CBT — Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Foundational for binge/restrict patterns.
• ACT — Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
• SMART goals — Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.
• SDOH — Social Determinants of Health.
• Food security / insecurity — Reliable access to enough culturally appropriate food.
• Disordered eating — Sub-clinical patterns; common during rapid weight loss.
• Eating disorder (DSM-5) — Anorexia, bulimia, BED, ARFID, OSFED.
• ARFID — Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.
• BED — Binge Eating Disorder.
• OSFED — Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder.
• Atypical anorexia — AN-pattern restriction in larger bodies.

12. Continuous data and tech inputs

• CGM — Continuous Glucose Monitor (Dexcom, Libre, Stelo).
• Smart scale — BIA-equipped scale streaming weight and composition.
• Wearable — Activity tracker (Apple Watch, Garmin, Whoop, Oura).
• HRV — Heart Rate Variability.
• Sleep stages — Light, deep, REM tracked by wearables.
• Step count — Volume-of-movement proxy.
• Active calories vs total calories — Distinction wearables expose.

13. Practice operations and reimbursement (US)

• CPT codes — Current Procedural Terminology. MNT codes: 97802 (initial), 97803 (re-assessment), 97804 (group).
• G-codes — Medicare DSMT (G0108/G0109) and MNT (G0270/G0271).
• ICD-10 — International Classification of Diseases. Common for GLP-1 caseloads: E11.x (T2D), E66.x (obesity), E78.x (lipids), K90.x (malabsorption), R63.x (intake).
• Superbill — Itemized statement clients submit to insurance.
• EHR / EMR — Electronic Health/Medical Record.
• Practice Management System (PMS) — Scheduling, billing, charts in one platform.
• Telehealth — Synchronous video visits.
• Asynchronous care — Messaging, photo logging, AI coaching between visits.
• Concierge / membership — Flat-fee subscription model.
• DPC — Direct Patient Care, no insurance.
• Sliding scale — Income-adjusted fees.
• No-show fee — Stated in practice policy.

14. Privacy, compliance, and consent

• HIPAA — Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (US).
• PHI — Protected Health Information.
• ePHI — Electronic PHI.
• BAA — Business Associate Agreement. Required between covered entities and any vendor that touches PHI (e.g., Resetful).
• Covered entity — A provider, plan, or clearinghouse subject to HIPAA.
• Business associate — A vendor processing PHI on behalf of a covered entity.
• Breach notification — Required disclosure timeline if PHI is exposed.
• Minimum necessary — Use and disclose only the PHI required for the purpose.
• Informed consent — Documented client agreement to treatment and data use.
• AI training opt-out / no-training BAA — Contract clause forbidding vendor use of PHI for model training.

15. Documentation formats

• SOAP note — Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan.
• DAR / Focus charting — Data, Action, Response.
• PIE note — Problem, Intervention, Evaluation.
• Encounter / visit note — A single dated entry tied to a billable session.
• Care plan — Longitudinal plan with goals and interventions.
• Session brief — A pre-visit summary the dietitian reads before the call (Resetful term).
• Handoff note — Cross-coverage summary.
• Discharge summary — End-of-care document.

16. Resetful-specific terms

• Clinical pathway — Resetful’s structured care template (e.g., GLP-1 Titration Pathway). Drives session cadence, prompts, and AI behavior.
• AI session brief — Auto-generated pre-visit summary built from logs, weight trend, and last visit’s plan.
• AI client coach — The 24/7 client-facing assistant grounded in the dietitian’s nutrition plan.
• Practitioner-in-the-loop — The dietitian reviews and can override anything the AI drafts.
• Photo-based meal log — Client snaps a meal; Resetful infers components and portion.
• Voice-to-log — Voice-note dictation parsed into a structured log.
• Symptom tag — A short label (nausea, fullness, reflux, etc.) attached to a meal or day.
• White-label client app — The mobile app shipped under the practice’s brand.
• Workspace — A practice’s tenant in Resetful, with its own clients, templates, and team.

How to extend this glossary

When you add an entry:

1. Put it in the right domain section above.
2. Use bold for the term and short, plain-language definitions.
3. Add the why-it-matters in a half-sentence when the term is GLP-1-specific.
4. Cite the source in the commit message, not in the entry itself.