Registered dietitian (RD)
Registered dietitians (RDs) are health professionals who teach people about nutrition or develop diets to promote health. They can also specialize in nutritional counseling to help treat food-related psychological problems, such as anorexia or bulimia.
Dietitians work in hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. Registered dietitians also work in government, restaurant management, fitness, food companies, and private practices.
Nutritionists may not have any special training, but registered dietitians complete a bachelor's degree. They also must complete a supervised practice program and pass a national examination given by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Some RDs hold additional certifications in specialized areas of practice, such as pediatric or renal nutrition, nutrition support, or diabetes education. These certifications are awarded through the CDR or other medical and nutrition groups.
How can a dietitian help with healthy eating?
Millions of people struggle to lose weight and improve their diets. Finding a diet that works for you and then staying with it can be a huge challenge. Registered dietitians are experts in diet and nutrition, particularly for promoting general health and treating conditions, such as high cholesterol. A dietitian can evaluate your diet and create a plan and detailed menu to work with your lifestyle and daily routine.
A dietitian will ask about your eating habits. For example:
- What times of the day do you usually eat?
- Do you skip meals?
- When do you eat your largest meal of the day?
- Where do you typically eat? At work? At home?
- How do you prepare meals at home? From packaged or fresh foods?
- What are your favorite foods?
A dietitian can suggest strategies and tips for adjusting to your new diet. Most will recommend that you switch to your new diet gradually. The dietitian can also teach you how to keep track of the amount of saturated fat, trans fat, and calories in your diet and how to continually make gradual adjustments until you achieve your basic goals. Most of all, a dietitian can help make your new diet fun by suggesting creative recipes and helping you find ways to eat the foods that you enjoy the most.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has a directory of registered dietitians and can help you find one in your area. You can visit the organization's website at www.eatright.org or call 1-800-877-1600.
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