What Is a Registered Dietitian, Anyway?

 I recently worked with a client who had had an array of troubling experiences working with self-proclaimed nutrition experts before she found my business. As someone who strives to provide the most accurate and safe nutrition advice possible, I was very upset by her stories.

To help protect you against misinformation, risky advice, and misleading claims (not to mention to make sure your money isn’t going to waste), I felt it was important to use this week’s column to address the question: How do you find a reliable expert to help you with your nutrition and weight loss needs?

There is no shortage of nutrition and diet information circulating these days and trying to separate the fact from the fiction can be a grueling chore. As a result, sometimes it’s a good idea to consult with a professional. Just as a doctor is to health and disease, a dentist is to teeth, or a pharmacist is to medication, a registered dietitian (RD) is the nutrition and weight loss expert.

One important point to note is that ANYONE can call him or herself a “nutritionist.”  This is an unregulated title, meaning that anybody who has read a few diet books from Barnes & Noble can call him or herself a nutritionist, create a website, and offer advice to anyone who happens to inquire. Bottom line here: Beware! And keep reading. ...

Registered dietitians, on the other hand, have extensive training in the fields of food and nutrition. Dietitians are trusted professionals who have at least a bachelor’s degree in nutrition. Some also have a master’s degree or PhD in nutrition science or other related health field. This required education is supplemented with a one-year long dietetic internship. Additionally, RDs must also pass a standardized national exam and must continue to maintain their expertise by taking education and training courses each year. Dietitians are regulated and credentialed by national and state licensing regulatory bodies.

What can registered dietitians do? Dietitians translate the science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living and promote positive lifestyle choices. As qualified nutrition professionals, registered dietitians can teach you how a healthy diet improves health and fights disease. They are able to separate facts from fads and develop personalized nutrition plans for weight loss, healthy eating, and chronic disease risk reduction. 

Because nutrition is never “one size fits all,” consulting with a dietitian can be highly beneficial to meet your specific needs. Reading an article, joining a diet website, or following a diet book program rarely comes close to the experience and results you will get from working one-on-one with a registered dietitian. When you need timely, accurate, and practical nutrition advice, seek the services of a registered dietitian. To find a registered dietitian in your area, visit the American Dietetic Association's website.