The more we learn how our eating patterns affect our overall health and wellness, the more we hear from various health fields. When reading about the latest diet plans, diet fads, and general nutrition information, you should keep in mind the source of this information.  Is the information coming from a “Nutritionist” or a“Registered Dietitian (RD)”?  Although the terms may seem interchangeable, they are very different -- and the difference can have a big impact on your health.

In this month’s In the News article, we will shed light on what those differences are in terms of education, training, and experience required.

Nutritionist
This is the most common term used when referring to a person working in the field of nutrition. So it may be surprising to know that in some states anyone, with or without training or experience, can call him or herself a nutritionist.  That’s right…there are no education, training, or experience requirements to call oneself a Nutritionist!  This is not to imply that all Nutritionists do not have some level of education, training, or experience… but rather to clarify that education, training, and experience are not required in some states.

Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR)
This term is reserved for dietetic professionals that have earned at least a two year degree from an accredited college / university and have completed a dietetic technical program approved by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education, which includes 450 hours of supervised practice experience in community programs, healthcare, and foodservice facilities. 

Registered Dietitian (RD)
The most advanced nutrition professional is the Registered Dietitian (RD).  RDs have a minimum of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college / university in nutrition or a related field such as foodservice, systems management, computer science, food biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, and / or chemistry.  In addition, RDs have completed 900 hours of supervised practice experience in community programs, healthcare, and foodservice facilities, and passed a national exam given by the Commission on Dietetic Registration…and that's not the end of their education! After the completed schooling, RDs must attend classes, conferences, or workshops for continuing education credits every year to keep up on the latest science-based research. Some RDs even hold additional degrees and / or certifications in specialized areas of practice.

Registered dietitians work with individuals on many different issues including weight loss, weight gain, maternal nutrition, dietary restrictions, eating disorders, menu planning, diabetes care, sports nutrition … just about any issue related to an individual’s health and wellbeing that can be impacted by diet.

In summary, if you are looking for nutrition information or services, be cautious of whose help you enlist.  A dietitian can also call himself or herself a “nutritionist” or a “nutrition expert”. This can be confusing, but you can put your mind at ease by looking for the letters “RD” after an individual’s name.  As previously mentioned, RDs undergo rigorous academic training and extensive practice experience and maintain their state-of-the-art food and nutrition knowledge by completing ongoing professional education programs.  Because of this, an RD is able to provide reliable, objective nutrition information, separate facts from fads, and translate the latest scientific findings into easy-to-understand nutrition information.

When you choose a Registered Dietitian to help with your nutrition needs, you're connecting with an individual with demonstrated professional expertise and excellence.

“Today, there is so much more nutrition information provided to the public than in the past. Often times the information read or heard is conflicting, causing consumer confusion. This is especially true on the web where anyone can write nutrition articles and represent themselves as experts. Consumers should advocate for their own health and wellbeing by asking these ‘nutrition professionals’ what their credentials are to see if they are actually qualified to provide expertise and recommendations”, says registered dietitian Maggie McHugh MS, RD, CDN.

For more information, see this month’s “Tip of the Month” article.

To learn about Eating for You, Inc.'s Registered Dietitians, please see the About Us page.

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Watching that Food Budget

With today's high gas and food prices, many people are watching their budgets.  Some find it challenging to eat healthfully on a tight budget.

The best way to eat healthfully on a budget is to purchase fruits and vegetables that are in-season. In-season produce tends to be cheaper, healthier, and tastier too.

Fall is the perfect time for such in season produce as apples, tomatoes, green beans, and pears.

Just 1 medium-sized apple provides...

• Antioxidants, which protect your body from cancer
• Soluble fiber that helps lower cholesterol and promotes heart health
• Juice that can keep your gums healthy
• 4 grams of fiber, and
• Only 80 calories

 Just 1 tomato provides…

• A good source of vitamin C and beta-carotene (the plant form of Vitamin A)
• The antioxidant lycopene that can protect against certain cancers. (Hint - Cooking tomatoes increases lycopene, as well as adding oil to raw tomatoes.)
• 2 grams of fiber, and
• Only 40 calories

 Just 1 cup of green beans provides…

• A rich source of fiber, vitamin A, B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), calcium, and potassium
• A healthy support of the nervous system, blood pressure, and kidneys
• 4 grams of fiber, and
• Only 45 calories

 Just 1 medium pear provides…

• A good source of vitamin C and potassium
• Antioxidants, which can fight cancer
• Soluble fiber that helps lower cholesterol and promotes heart health
• 4 grams of fiber, and
• Only 100 calories

Check out your local farm market or grocery store for in-season produce. It will be healthier, tastier, and cheaper!

RD, CDE, MS…what?!?!

Question:  What can you do as a consumer to protect yourself from receiving nutrition advice from an unqualified nutrition expert?

Answer:  Ask for an explanation of his or her credentials and educational background.

To help you decipher what all those letters mean after a registered dietitian’s name, we put together a list of the most common credentials of registered dietitians.  (Keep in mind, however, that this list is not all-inclusive.)

So the next time you are reading a nutrition-related article or seeking advice regarding nutrition, you will know how to distinguish a true expert from a self-proclaimed one.

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Spotlight on …

• Am I eating to meet my weight goal?
  

• Am I choosing foods that provide the nutrients I
  personally need?
  
  
• I'm on a special diet (i.e. vegetarianism, diabetes, high blood pressure) and need to know how to meet my nutritional goals.
  
  
• How do I eat to look and feel great.
  
  
• I was just told that I am at risk for (diabetes, heart disease, etc.) and am overwhelmed. 
  Where do I start?

If you find yourself asking these questions, check out Eating for You, Inc.'s Nutrition Counseling Sessions.  These one-on-one sessions will help you achieve better weight and nutritional management based on your specific needs and goals!  Our goal is to promote a healthier you...easily!

To find out more information on these sessions, please click here.