A Registered Dietitian or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist is a healthcare professional who has studied the science behind food.
Nutrition is one of the most frequently searched topics on the internet. With a wide range of information available, it is hard to know what is true and how to get your questions answered. Food nourishes our bodies and provides us with certain necessary nutrients to be healthy and prevent chronic disease. Food can also play a vital role in managing certain health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and many more. Whether you are looking for someone to guide you through the research or help you develop an individualized plan to manage a disease, that is where a Registered Dietitian comes in to assist.
Is an RD the same as a nutritionist?
A Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is a healthcare professional who has studied the science behind food. Is an RD the same as a nutritionist? The answer is no.
Every Registered Dietitian is a nutritionist but not every nutritionist is an RD. RDs are degree-qualified experts on all aspects of diet and nutrition. RDs have met the educational requirements, have passed a nationally accredited exam, and are licensed to practice in their state (if required).
Dietitians can work in a variety of different settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, schools, in research and development, food service, and private practice. RDs use their expertise to help individuals make healthier choices, navigate through marketing and the media, and use food to improve or prevent chronic conditions.
There is no one eating plan that fits all.
People live vastly different lives from schedules, jobs, families, food likes/dislikes, current health status etc. I am one of the RDs at St. Mary’s who consults with outpatients and helps develop tailored goals that work for you. I completed my Dietetics degree from the University of New Hampshire, where I am originally from, and I received my Master of Public Health degree from UGA.
My philosophy on nutrition is delivering evidenced-based recommendations, setting realistic goals, and going back to the basics. If a claim seems too good to be true it usually is. I work with all age groups and a variety of different disease conditions. At your initial appointment you will discuss your past medical history, recent lab work, go over food choices, habits and concerns, and tackle both short- and long-term goals. Keeping follow-up appointments are recommended on a case by case basis. It never hurts to come prepared. Bringing recent food journals and a list of questions can help maximize your appointment time.
Appointments can be made with or without a physician referral.