- Who are Registered Dietitian Nutritionists?
- How to Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
- What Areas Do Registered Dietitian Nutritionists Work in?
- Tips to Help You Get Started with Working with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
- How Working with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Can Support You in Your Health and Wellness Journey
- Reference
Who are Registered Dietitian Nutritionists?
Registered Dietitians (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) are qualified experts in the field of food and nutrition. They provide practical and digestible information on evidence-based nutrition recommendations and guidelines to the public in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, schools, community centers, grocery stores, and private practices.
How to Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
To become a Registered Dietitian, professionals must complete academic coursework and an accredited and supervised dietetic internship program to qualify for the national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
After becoming credentialed, Registered Dietitians must complete continuing professional education requirements to maintain their dietetic credential registration and stay up to date with nutrition science, professional ethics, and any dietetic specialty areas.
What Areas Do Registered Dietitian Nutritionists Work in?
Registered Dietitians can specialize in various areas of nutrition and wellness, including heart health, vegan/vegetarian lifestyles, sports nutrition, gastrointestinal health, diabetes, renal, pediatrics, and eating disorders. If you are seeking nutrition counseling services, it can be particularly beneficial to find a Registered Dietitian who specializes in your area of nutritional needs.
Tips to Help You Get Started with Working with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
If you are considering working with a Registered Dietitian, here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Explore dietitian profiles on health professional directories to find a Registered Dietitian who specializes in the nutrition areas you need support with.
Here are a few dietitian-focused directories:
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics – “Find a Nutrition Expert”
HealthProfs – “Nutritionist/Dietitian” Directory - Book a free Discovery Call if available: This call is an opportunity for you and the Registered Dietitian to determine if working together would be a good fit. It is an open discussion where you can ask any questions about their nutrition services, such as what a nutrition consultation with them is like, and share any obstacles you may be experiencing in achieving your current health and wellness goals.
- Before scheduling with a Registered Dietitian, be sure to inquire about their service fees, insurance acceptance, and payment options. This can help you feel more informed and confident if you choose to book a nutrition consultation.
- It’s important to communicate your nutrition and wellness goals and expectations during the Discovery Call or your initial nutrition consultation if you choose to work together. This can help you and your Dietitian create a personalized plan that is tailored to your needs and attainable for you.
It’s also helpful to know that Registered Dietitians are part of your healthcare team, and they can collaborate with your other healthcare providers as necessary to support your nutritional goals. However, please note that you would have to authorize this communication between healthcare providers about your care by completing a form.
How Working with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Can Support You in Your Health and Wellness Journey
Working with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist can provide you with an opportunity to receive reliable nutrition guidance and support. This can involve gaining lifelong skills that can help you make well-informed decisions regarding your daily food choices and feel more confident in your overall health and well-being. Examples of these valuable skills include nutrition label reading to simplify grocery shopping, meal and snack planning strategies, and understanding nutrient requirements at different life stages.
If you’re looking for nutritional guidance and support on your plant-based journey, please feel free to reach out to schedule a free 20-minute discovery call here!
Reference
About RDNs. (n.d.). https://www.eatright.org/about-rdns-and-ndtrs
Disclaimer: This blog post is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should never be relied upon in any way as medical or mental health advice. Always consult your physician or other qualified healthcare provider for any health-related questions and concerns or before implementing anything you may learn through this blog post.
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