Between what you hear on TV, see on social media, and read in the news, eating well can seem like a real challenge. But it doesn’t have to be. A registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN) will partner with you to develop a safe and realistic eating plan that you can stick with for the long haul. To guide and motivate you, an RDN will use creative and out-of-the-box strategies to help with meal planning, grocery shopping, and mindful eating.
An RDN has completed multiple layers of education and training established by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. All RDNs must do the following:
• Obtain a minimum of a master’s degree, which includes a specially designed, accredited nutrition curriculum.
• Complete an extensive supervised program of practice at a health-care facility, food-service organization, or community agency.
• Pass a rigorous registration exam.
• Maintain continuing education credits throughout their career, with licensure in each state they practice in.
What’s more, many RDNs have certifications in specialized fields, such as sports, pediatric, renal, oncology, diabetes, or gerontological nutrition.
Do you want to lose or gain weight? Are you pregnant, looking to become pregnant, or you’ve just had a child? Are you looking for ways to maintain your health in your older years? Are you an athlete looking to boost your performance? These are just a few of the reasons people seek the expert, science-based advice of an RDN.
10 Common Reasons to Consult with an RDN
1. You want help managing diabetes, high blood pressure, or other chronic diseases. An RDN can help you understand your condition and how the foods you choose might affect it. Plus, a registered dietitian nutritionist works with you to create an eating plan that has the nutrients needed to manage your condition.
2. You are thinking of having or have had gastric bypass surgery. Because your stomach can only manage small servings after surgery, it’s tricky to get the nutrients your body needs. As a part of your health-care team, an RDN helps you make changes to your eating plan to meet these needs and still feel satisfied.
3. You have digestive problems. Working closely with you and your doctor, an RDN provides guidance to help fine-tune your diet. Together, you’ll find choices that do not aggravate your condition—for example, limiting fried foods or caffeinated and carbonated drinks.
4. You’re pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or are a new parent. Meet with an RDN to make sure you get the nutrients you need for a healthy pregnancy. And, after the baby comes, an RDN can help make sure you and your little one are getting the nutrients you need to support good health.
5. You have a food allergy, intolerance, or sensitivity. Unsure what you can eat because of celiac disease, food allergies, lactose intolerance, or another condition? It’s easy to be overwhelmed by what you think you can’t eat, which can lead to a boring diet that doesn’t give your body the nutrition it needs. An RDN can teach you strategies, including identifying foods to avoid, and help you find substitutions to keep your diet balanced and tasty.
6. You or your child is experiencing disordered eating. As part of the treatment team, RDNs counsel people with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.
7. You’re caring for an aging parent. An RDN can help with food or drug interactions, proper hydration, special diets for hypertension, and changing taste buds as you age.
8. You want practical lifestyle advice. Need help sorting through the facts and fiction of nutrition headlines? Learn how to read labels at the supermarket, discover how healthy cooking can be inexpensive, learn how to dine out healthfully, and find out how to manage temptations. When you see an RDN, the last thing you’ll get is one-size-fits-all diet advice. After learning about your health history, favorite foods, and eating and exercise habits, an RDN will help you set goals and prioritize. Follow-up visits will focus on maintenance and monitoring your progress.
9. You want to improve your performance in sports. A RDN can help you set goals to achieve results—whether you’re running a marathon, skiing, or jogging with your dog.
10. You realize the need to feed your family healthier foods, but you do not cook. A registered dietitian nutritionist can teach you how to plan and prepare meals in a simple, healthful, and convenient way. Connect with an RDN today!