Registered Dietitian day is on March 14th. Should you see an RD? Here are ten reasons why consulting with a registered dietitian could benefit you:
- You have diabetes, cardiovascular problems or high blood pressure.
- You are thinking of having or have had gastric bypass surgery.
- You have digestive problems.
- You’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
- You need guidance and confidence for breastfeeding your baby.
- Your teenager has issues with food and eating healthfully.
- You need to gain or lose weight.
- You’re caring for an aging parent.
- You want to eat smarter.
- You want to improve your performance in sports.
- At clinical nutrition center, five experienced RDs are waiting to assist you with your nutrition challenges!
- Give us a call today!
Are you confused about the nutrition information you hear about these days? Seems like we hear something new every day and it is hard to know who to listen to. Next time someone gives you nutrition “advice” ask yourself “what are the credentials of this person giving me this advice?”
A nutritionist is typically someone who completes an undergraduate or graduate degree in nutrition. They may be working as a research scientist, health and wellness educator, professor at a university etc. Be aware that there are individuals who market themselves as “nutritionists” with very little or no training whatsoever in nutrition. They may be selling “nutrition products”at a health or fitness center . Before you take “nutrition advice”, be sure to check out the professional background and training of the individual giving it.
A Registered Dietitian (‘dietitian’ is the preferred spelling over ‘dietician’) or RD is a nutritionist accredited by the American Dietetic Association. An RD has completed an undergraduate program in nutrition and also a one year clinical internship program. RD’s must pass a national exam administered by the American Dietetic Association. RD’s must also maintain their registered status through continuing education and advanced degrees/certifications for areas of specialization. Examples of this might be a certification as a cardiac dietitian, nutritional support dietitian, sports nutritionist, or a certification for diabetes education.
RD’s are experts in areas of food and nutrition. If you need nutrition advice, seek the advice of a registered dietitian. You can do a search online at http://www.eatright.org and click on the link for “find a nutrition professional”. This is the official sight for the American Dietetic Association. You can be confident that the information offered on this website is accurate and valid. There are an overwhelming number of nutrition websites on the internet. Some of the information is indeed accurate, but there is also a great deal of nutrition misinformation on the internet. Check the source of the information given. Be aware that some of the nutrition information is sensationalized.
Finally, remember that at Clinical Nutrition Center, we are all highly experienced Registered Dietitians. Read more about the Registered Dietitians at CNC here.
-Lisa Ininns, R.D., C.D.E.
