POSTED ON March 11, 2009 BY Stephanie Michon
Registered Dietitians: Who They Are and Why You Should Care
We live in an age where more is being discovered about the connection between good nutrition and good health. As a result, many unqualified novices have attempted to capitalize on this connection by jumping on the “quick cure” bandwagon, with little to no regard to the validity of the claims they make. Even if you avoid these traps and keep up with the latest well-founded research, chances are you have found yourself scratching your head when the last study results you read are now being challenged because of yet another study that has just disproved the first one. Confused?
Think about this: you go to a doctor for a sore throat, a mechanic for an oil change, an accountant for help with filing your income tax, but, who do you go to for sound nutrition advice to separate out those nutrition myths from the nutrition facts? The answer: a Registered Dietitian.
A Registered Dietitian has completed a Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis on nutrition, followed by – or sometimes alongside – a supervised dietetic internship program. After successfully fulfilling these requirements, one is then eligible to sit for the examination necessary to pass in order to obtain the certification of RD, or “Registered Dietitian” offered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the official credentialing agency for the American Dietetic Association (ADA). Some Registered Dietitians choose to further their education by completing a Masters degree program in such areas as Nutrition, Sports Nutrition, or Public Health, just to name a few. And, similar to many health care providers such as nurses and doctors who have to stay abreast of the latest research and development in their fields through continuing education, Registered Dietitians must also stay updated on nutrition matters and accrue 75 hours of continuing education every 5 years in order to maintain their RD status. The education opportunities must be approved by CDR in order to be considered valid.
If someone does not have “RD” as one of his or her credentials, then that person is not truly qualified to give you sound nutrition advice as is someone who does hold the “RD” credential. Beware of seeking advice from anyone who only refers to himself as a “Nutritionist.” The term “Nutritionist” alone behind someone’s name can many times signal that the individual is an unqualified nutrition care provider. The only time that the term “Nutritionist” is appropriate is if it is mentioned in reference to the credential of “LDN,” or Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist.
The credential of “LDN” many times–but not always–will follow the “RD” credential behind one’s name. Licensure is granted through 44 of the 50 states as a means to protect the “RD” status and the public so they are aware of which individuals are qualified to provide nutrition care and services. Enacting licensure laws in those remaining 6 states continues to be a goal of the ADA.
So what’s the bottom line? The term “Nutritionist” alone beside someone’s name should raise a red flag that this person may not hold all the proper qualifications to deliver proper nutrition care. However, if you see “RD” or “RD, LDN” you can rest assured that this individual has gone through the rigorous training necessary to bring you the safest and most current nutrition information available.
Okay, so you now know who to look for when seeking sound nutrition advice, but with what kind of nutrition issues can the Registered Dietitian help you? A Registered Dietitian may benefit you if:
- You have a chronic health condition such as diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure
- You need to lose or gain weight
- You’re pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant
- You’re thinking about breastfeeding your newborn
- You suspect your teenager may have an eating disorder
- You are the caregiver for an elderly friend or family member
- You desire to improve your athletic performance
- You just want to eat better for an overall healthier “you”
So, take it from me, a Registered Dietitian, that finding a qualified RD is the way to go to eating right!
Visit the ADA website for more nutrition information and on how to locate a Registered Dietitian in your area (choose “Find a Nutrition Professional” on the upper right hand side of the home page).
Eat Right!
About This Series:
During the month of March, the More Time on Your Hands articles will be written by members of the Nashville District Dietetic Association. Tune in each week to learn about an important nutritional issue as part of National Nutrition Month.
Previously in this Series:
About the Author:
Stephanie Michon, RD, LDN is a Registered Dietitian and the President of the Nashville District Dietetic Association (NDDA). She currently serves as the project manager for several federally- and state-funded diabetes research studies at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, TN. Through her eight and a half years in research, she has witnessed the pitfalls and frustrations that many patients with diabetes encounter, and understands the importance of patient “buy-in” to the successful management of their own health. Working in the field of research has also increased her awareness of the importance of having access to reliable food, nutrition, and health information–not only for the healthcare community but particularly for the general public.
